Embrace The Unexpected

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Welcome to dc

We are very pleased to welcome you to the Conrad Washington, DC!

With an art-forward approach to contemporary luxury, the Conrad invites you to experience DC through the lens of a local resident of the District and enjoy the culture and color that makes our nation’s capital one of the most incredible cities in the world. As a part of the Hilton family of hotels, we are committed to striving toward sustainability in travel and hospitality through our daily operations, as well as our LEED Gold Certified building. Please find more information about our sustainability story here .

Located in downtown DC at CityCenter , it is convenient to the most elevated shopping and dining options in DC. The Conrad is a few blocks from the Convention Center and a short walk to the White House and several DC attractions.

Please join us for lunch and dinner in our signature restaurant, Estuary , or grab a cocktail at the Estuary Bar and enjoy views of the Park at CityCenterDC. Breakfast and weekend brunch are served in Estuary’s stunning Blue Willow Room.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Conrad on your next visit to DC!

Two queen beds and room showing large window with view of DC sky

Spacious modern guest rooms

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Innovative Dining

Gallery Falling Flowers

Unique Spaces

Elevated outdoor terraces, spacious pillar-less ballrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows that allow natural light to pour in—the Conrad’s beautiful spaces offer an incredible background for any event.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Discover DC

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Explore DC with An Exclusive Visitor’s Guide

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Cultural Connectors: DC Edition

Sophisticated black and white art mural

Five Hours to Discover DC

950 NEW YORK AVE. NW WASHINGTON, DC 20001 202.844.5900

Stay Connected

  • Global Privacy Statement
  • Cookies Statement
  • Site Usage Agreement

Forbes Travel Guide Stories

5 Things We Love About The New Conrad Washington, DC By Correspondent McLean Robbins

November 12, 2019

conrad washington dc travel weekly

This spring, Washington, D.C. , opened its first new-build luxury hotel in more than a decade — the U.S. flagship for Hilton’s high-end brand Conrad Hotels & Resorts.

Well-positioned within chic shopping and dining hub City Center, the 11-story, 360-room Conrad Washington, DC offers vacation seekers and business travelers a stylishly modern escape, with a rooftop bar, celebrity-chef-helmed restaurant and Zen-like concierge floor, the Sakura Club.

Here’s what we love most about this sleek and stylish D.C. stay.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

See the City on the Rooftop

Washington, D.C., has a longstanding architectural rule that has prevented it from becoming a mass of skyscrapers like Chicago or New York . An act dating back to 1910 stipulates that no building can be taller than the width of the street upon which it is located, which roughly translates to 130 feet — about the height of the 11-story Conrad.

It’s a unique design principle that has given the capital much of its charm, and also allowed a special perk: from the roof of the Conrad, you get a 360-degree panorama of the city skyline, stretching from the Washington Monument to the Capitol building and even to the White House a few blocks away.

Take in the vistas at Summit, the hotel’s buzzy rooftop bar and lounge, where you can sip an on-tap Aperol spritz or nosh on avocado fries and 72-hour pot roast crostini.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Enjoy a Room with a View

Thanks to variations in size and layout, Conrad Washington, DC’s rooms feel like they belong in a boutique hotel.

Our favorite units are the Premier Corner Kings, which have not one, but two floor-to-ceiling window walls that flood the 450-square-foot spaces with natural light. A Zen-inspired design scheme of muted gray carpets, water-influenced photographs and white-on-white marble baths with custom Shanghai Tang amenities enhance the bright and airy feel.

Instead of a traditional desk, rooms feature a small worktable that doubles as a dining space with two chairs. Other perks include charging stations next to the bed (no more hunting for a USB plug) and a minibar boasting gourmet goodies like Honest Tea and José Andrés-branded chips. 

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Go VIP at the Sakura Club

We love a luxe concierge level, and the 10th-floor Sakura Club does not disappoint. From curb-side VIP arrival to a dedicated team of Ambassadors, you’ll be spoiled with extra perks during a stay in the special section.

Added touches include a Japanese whisky tasting each evening, as well as complimentary meal presentations throughout the day. Want a private shopping session at Gucci or need a hard-to-snag reservation at one of the city’s top tables? The team can whip that up, too — you need only ask.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Take In Artful Endeavors

Local art isn’t a new trend for hotels, but Conrad Washington, DC steps it up a notch with its array of styles, from a tapestry depicting the historic crossing of the Potomac in the lobby bar to local artisans like Matthew Langley paying tribute to the Washington Color School abstract expressionist movement.

But our favorite piece is one of the luxury hotel’s most Instagram-worthy works: the giant moon-shaped pendant suspended from the ceiling of the soaring multi-story atrium, which is programmed to adjust its color based on the time of day.

The impressive installation, along with the mile-plus of chain-mail-style metal imported from Europe, lend a striking yet minimalist vibe. This sort of modern-glam-meets-midcentury appeal comes courtesy of famed Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron (designers of Tate Modern and Parrish Art Museum) and well-known design consultants Rottet Studio (creative minds behind New York’s Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Surrey ).

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Explore the Area

While the hotel is large by D.C. standards at 360 rooms, the amenities are surprisingly minimalist. The hotel provides just one restaurant, Estuary, that’s helmed by Top Chef alums Bryan and Michael Voltaggio. Cuisine is playful (a crab roll is accented by crab-shaped chips) and locally inspired; nearly all ingredients come from the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

But you need not stay tied to the property. City Center is nicely positioned in the heart of downtown, just a quick walk to Capital One Area for a concert or Washington Capitals hockey game. You’re also mere steps from Ferragamo, Loro Piana, Dior and other boutiques. It’s easy to walk to a dining experience, too. Casual Centrolina serves up simple Italian classics and Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse makes a mean ribeye and Maple Bacon Manhattan.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Dreaming of your next trip?

I agree to the Forbes Travel Guide Privacy Policy and Terms . I understand I can withdraw my consent at any time.

Sign up for our newsletter

  • Credit cards
  • View all credit cards
  • Banking guide
  • Loans guide
  • Insurance guide
  • Personal finance
  • View all personal finance
  • Small business
  • Small business guide
  • View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

Conrad Washington, DC Review: Luxury Near CityCenterDC

Sean Cudahy

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

Food and beverage options

Accommodations, are dogs allowed at the conrad washington, dc, how to get to the conrad washington, dc, is the conrad washington, dc a good hotel.

The Conrad Washington, DC is one of the newest and highest-end Hilton properties in the nation's capital.

Situated within a short metro ride or 15-minute walk of the city’s prestigious monuments and museums, the hotel offers a combination of easy proximity for those wanting to explore the city and comfortable, modern touches for those preferring to relax on-site.

As part of the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts portfolio , the property also provides AmEx Membership Rewards members additional perks and savings during their stay, from breakfast and other dining credits to guaranteed late checkouts and room upgrades.

Despite its location in one of America’s most historic cities, the Conrad Washington, DC sits in one of the city’s most modern neighborhoods.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

(Photo by Sean Cudahy)

The hotel is within a stone’s throw of CityCenterDC, an outdoor shopping district with high-end shops — think Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and the like.

Those hoping to use their stay as a jumping-off point for monument and museum visits have a few options. The first is by car.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Our Uber ride from the hotel to the National Mall took five to 10 minutes. If you bring a car with you to the hotel, you’ll pay $60 per night for valet parking.

To avoid traffic and parking fees, you can reach major landmarks by taking the D.C. Metro a stop or two. There are two Metro stops within a short walk of the hotel.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Many landmarks are walkable, too, if you’re able and willing. The Capital One Arena, home to the Washington Wizards and Capitals, is four-tenths of a mile away on foot.

Perhaps the destination most convenient to the hotel is the Washington Convention Center, which is just a couple of blocks away and, in fact, was visible from our hotel room window.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

This Conrad property stands out with its black, all-glass look. Upon its opening in 2019, Hilton described it as “architecturally striking,” and that’s not overstating it.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

You’ll take an elevator or escalator to reach the front desk. The hotel lets in extensive natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows in many rooms and a skylight in the lobby.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

You’ll also find white marble throughout the building, from the floors to the walls.

Most of the views from the rooms and restaurant are of CityCenterDC and the convention center. If you do manage to catch a glimpse of the Washington Monument or U.S. Capitol from a high floor, it’ll be a distant view.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

The Conrad’s main restaurant is called Estuary. The seafood restaurant includes a bar, lounge-style seating area and a larger dining room with an open-concept kitchen.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

All of Estuary’s ingredients come from the Chesapeake Bay region. Yes, that means you’ll find plenty of seafood-oriented offerings — crab included — on the menu, though there’s a little something for just about any palate.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

And that’s a good thing because guests who book through AmEx Fine Hotels and Resorts will want to eat on-site. AmEx Fine Hotels and Resorts guests get a $100 food and beverage credit per stay and a $60 daily credit toward breakfast or brunch.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

At our predinner happy hour, my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the crispy pig ears, ceviche and hush puppies with yuzu aioli and Maryland crab (and come to think of it, we probably didn’t need dinner afterward).

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Breakfast is served in the Estuary’s cozier Blue Willow Room. While I had no complaints about my bacon, egg and cheese on a croissant, anyone who doesn’t order the crab Benedict — as my wife did — will have order envy.

Because we visited on a cold night in January, the hotel’s Summit Rooftop bar was closed for the season, but it features appetizers, beverages and great views of D.C.

The hotel also has room service available late into the night, and a more upscale, personalized room and dining experience through its pricier Sakura Club.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

A key perk of booking a stay through AmEx Fine Hotels and Resorts, or having Hilton Honors elite status , is the potential for a room upgrade , when available.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

I was upgraded to a studio suite, featuring a distinct entryway, living room and sleeping area. Those hoping to watch some TV can sit on the couch or chair next to a floor-to-ceiling window.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

There’s also a table for those wanting to get work done or enjoy in-room dining.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

The king bed sat across from a second TV equipped with cable, Netflix and YouTube capabilities.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

The nightstands are fully outfitted with plenty of USB and AC outlets, and full light controls that control the electronic “do not disturb” light outside the front door.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Featuring two sinks and marble walls, the bathroom included rain-style shower heads and large, bolted-to-the-wall shower products. These larger bottles are a nod to the sustainability initiatives many hotel chains are undertaking to reduce plastic waste.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

A favorite touch of mine at higher-end hotel rooms showed up here: Nespresso machines instead of the old-school coffee makers.

The Conrad caters to business travelers and those looking for an exceptionally comfortable place to recharge in between sightseeing. To that end, you won’t find a pool or spa on-site.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

However, on top of its top-notch eating and drinking locations, you’ll find expansive meeting space, event rooms and balcony seating areas overlooking CityCenterDC. The balconies are a great place to enjoy a drink or spend time outdoors.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

The fitness center is well equipped with treadmills and weights alongside several Peloton bikes, as is now the case at many Hilton properties nationally.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

Count us among the travelers who brought a four-legged friend along for the stay. The Conrad is a pet-friendly hotel, though you’ll have to pay a $75 nonrefundable fee.

Our French bulldog received a water bowl and Conrad-branded bandana for the visit.

Being in the middle of a concrete-dominant city neighborhood, finding pet relief areas wasn’t the simplest experience, but there are grassy spaces within a block or two in each direction.

The hotel is located along New York Avenue between 9th and 10th streets Northwest.

MetroCenter, the DC Metro system’s central-most station, is just three-tenths of a mile from the hotel. The station connects to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (blue line) and, at long last, Washington Dulles International Airport (silver line).

MetroCenter is also just a few stops from Union Station, serviced by Amtrak and commuter trains, including those arriving from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

While the Conrad Washington, DC’s proximity to D.C. landmarks and comfortable accommodations make it a great option for any visitor to the U.S. capital, the value we enjoyed as an AmEx Fine Hotels and Resorts guest made the stay stand out.

We saved $360 for the one-night stay by using our $200 annual hotel credit we receive with The Platinum Card® from American Express , plus a $100 food and beverage credit and $60 for breakfast. Terms apply.

Add in complimentary premium Wi-Fi and and a guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout that allowed us some morning museum visits before leaving town, and there’s no doubt the perks add up.

(Top photo courtesy of Sean Cudahy)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

conrad washington dc travel weekly

IMAGES

  1. Conrad Washington, DC

    conrad washington dc travel weekly

  2. 5 Things We Love About The New Conrad Washington, DC

    conrad washington dc travel weekly

  3. Review: The Conrad in Washington, DC

    conrad washington dc travel weekly

  4. Conrad Washington DC

    conrad washington dc travel weekly

  5. 5 Things We Love About The New Conrad Washington, DC

    conrad washington dc travel weekly

  6. 5 Things We Love About The New Conrad Washington, DC

    conrad washington dc travel weekly

COMMENTS

  1. Conrad Washington DC - Travel Weekly

    Embassy Suites Washington DC Conv Ctr 900 10th St NW, Washington, DC, DC 20001 less than .1 miles Bridgestreet City Center 825 10th Street, Washington, DC, DC 20001 less than .1 miles

  2. Conrad Washington DC

    The Conrad is a few blocks from the Convention Center and a short walk to the White House and several DC attractions. Please join us for lunch and dinner in our signature restaurant, Estuary, or grab a cocktail at the Estuary Bar and enjoy views of the Park at CityCenterDC. Breakfast and weekend brunch are served in Estuary’s stunning Blue ...

  3. 5 Things We Love About The New Conrad Washington, DC

    Well-positioned within chic shopping and dining hub City Center, the 11-story, 360-room Conrad Washington, DC offers vacation seekers and business travelers a stylishly modern escape, with a rooftop bar, celebrity-chef-helmed restaurant and Zen-like concierge floor, the Sakura Club. Here’s what we love most about this sleek and stylish D.C. stay.

  4. D.C.'s first Conrad hotel to open in February - Travel Weekly

    The hotel will have 30,000 square feet of high-end retail space on its ground floor and 32,000 square feet of meetings space featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, according to Conrad parent Hilton.

  5. Conrad Washington, DC - Hotel Review | Condé Nast Traveler

    Find Conrad Washington, DC, Penn Quarter - Chinatown, Washington, D.C., United States, ratings, photos, prices, expert advice, traveler reviews and tips, and more ...

  6. Conrad Washington, DC Hotel Review - NerdWallet

    Conrad Washington, DC Review: Luxury Near CityCenterDC. This ritzy spot in the heart of D.C. offers guests a visually stunning stay, with extra perks for AmEx cardholders. By Sean Cudahy ...