Riggs Washington DC
Washington, DC
Penn Quarter
Vibe
Reception desks echo bank teller windows, while vintage cheques and neatly arranged tassel-backed keys make the banking theme playful.
“Bank vault theatre”
An 1891 banking hall retains Corinthian columns, coffered ceilings and its original basement vault.
Teller window reception desks and theatrical floral headboards turn banking architecture into playful interiors.
Egyptian cotton sheets dress the beds; suites offer separate living areas for spreading out.
In Penn Quarter amid restaurants and theaters, with Gallery Place and Capital One Arena nearby.
“The rooms, for their part, don’t exactly scream “bank” — they’re much too colorful and richly detailed for that.”
Rooms
Oak floors, jewel-toned colors and Carrara marble bathrooms give the interiors a richness beyond their safety-deposit-box inspiration.
“Bringing a buttoned-up sense of cool to the capital, plus the buzziest bar in town”
Wellness
The vault-level gym pairs water rowing machines with free weights, bikes and equipment for stretching and yoga.
“The hotel manages to honor the grandeur of the Romanesque revival building without the chill factor that could have resulted from all those hard marble surfaces.”
Backstory
The headboard and wallpaper patterns began with a 17th-century Mexican painting, whose color swirls were drawn out into custom designs.
Eat & drink
Café Riggs serves French onion soup and seafood plateaus in the former banking hall, while Silver Lyan mixes cocktails in the original basement vault.
The neighborhood
The National Portrait Gallery stands opposite, with Penn Quarter’s restaurants, theaters and Capital One Arena close by.
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The app
This is one hotel. The app has every one we rate, in your pocket, for the whole trip.
Our shorthand
What makes a hotel special, how well they pull it off, and what it feels like outside the door.
How well they pull it off
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
They did this well. You’ll notice.
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Architecture and interiors lead. There’s a creative vision at work.
The guest is conspicuously well cared for. Requests met before they’re made.
Rooted in place. Local character runs through the whole stay.
Energy and scene. Where the city goes out, whether or not it’s sleeping here.
A building with history. The story of the place is part of the stay.
Built around feeling better. Rest, sweat, soak, spa.
A hotel the city grew up with. Same rituals, same regulars.
A world of its own. No reason to leave the property.
Scene — what’s outside the door
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
A place apart: the property is the destination.