Finally back at one of my favorite Sofitel after many years of absence (last stay end 2019 !).
I stayed 3 nights, overall very good stay and status recognition. A few minor issues, but nothing terribly wrong and, fortunately, the DC Sofitel is miles ahead of its “brother” hotel in NY
The hotel was surprisingly cheap (stay was mid-July), in the 250$ range, tax included, and was fully booked during all my stay. I was very nicely welcomed on arrival. Despite this full occupancy, I received a very nice upgrade to a Prestige Suite (from a booked Superior/King room).
Nothing has changed in the lobby since 2019.
I really liked the Prestige Suite, lot of space and natural lights (lot of windows as it was a corner room). The entrance had some guest toilets, then you reach the living room part with a big sofa and table with 4 chairs. Then 2 steps down you reach the bathroom and bedroom part. The bathroom is the typical/usual one you have in all rooms of this hotel but also in other US/CAN Sofitels.
Entrance
Entrance
Guest toilets
Living room
Living room
Living room
Living room
Way to bathroom and bedroom
Bathroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Room amenities included bathrobes, slippers, Nespresso machines (capsules were well replenished every day), several water bottle packs. Welcome amenity was a bit meager for a Sofitel (a few small cakes and some sparkling water).
Welcome amenity
Turndown service was very inconsistent : none on the 2 first nights, and proposed at 21:00 the 3rd night (which I declined).
Dining & Breakfast
The main change from my previous stay is that the Opaline bar/restaurant (on the left when you enter the building) has been totally redesigned in a restaurant style room. There is still the bar, but there is no more sofa & armchairs and the warm atmosphere there was before. I really regret this. The menu is OK but nothing extraordinary. Everywhere in the hotel, you have signs saying that every dish of the Opaline restaurant is typical from Southern France. But sincerely, it’s a typical US menu (crab cakes, burger, NY strip steak, etc) and nothing typically French apart maybe the onion soup. Prices are crazy like everywhere in the US now, but slightly less crazy than other places I have been in DC during this trip. Guests have 10% discount on F&B (including room service) as part of the scam fee “benefits”…
The whole menu is available for room service.
Breakfast is taken in the other room (on the right when you enter the building). There was often a line for breakfast. Service was very slow (you need 1hr, not less). Price is insane : the minimum price you will pay for the cheapest option (continental + coffee + juice) comes at 60$ when you add taxes and tip. Anything different and you’ll reach easily 70 or 75. Free Diamond breakfast during the weekend was well honored but they still charge the tip to your bill…
I was told at check-in that, as a Diamond benefit, breakfast was free whatever the number of guests at my table. I was quite surprised, but nice if true knowing the price they charge.
Service was so-so for breakfast
Breakfast room
I asked for late check out at 3pm and it was granted without difficulty. Invoice was correct and points posted within 24 hrs.
Overall a very good stay with great status recognition, particularly a wonderful room upgrade. I regret the transformation of the bar, but I can live with it. It’s nice to see that, like Chicago, the Washington Sofitel is still good and has not gone downhill like the NY one. F&B prices are insane, but this is not unique to this hotel or Accor. This is a general US problem.