I stayed in the Hay Adams in 2012, and had to say that the place was frankly miserable. It's an okay hotel. Amazing service, but pathetic rooms, uncomfortable beds, and a snobby concierge who treated me and my wife like we were pests. The room service was tasteless and over-expensive. The hotel restaurant was also utterly terrible - the gnocci was stale and disgusting. No idea who the legions of people are who love this place - we're not them, I suppose. The Hotel Palomar makes this place look like a Super 8.

I am not sure who the 8 are who rate the HA as "terrible" but all I can say is that I had the best birthday stay here ever on any continent.Pre Xmas is a mad rush in DC but also uberglamorous and the HA lives up to everything and America grand hotel ever was and will be.Beautiful bed linens, super comfy beds, every detail and amenity catered for,service beyond service...everyone knows your name, a fantastic doorman-really first class, wonderful wait staff in the Lafayette for breakfast, a room overlooking the WH and a magnificent view of all the main landmarks besides, oh and the apple cider in the lobby, oh and the warm cookies aaargh I want to live at the HA...I could go on and on...plus the essential a wonderful bar-non bar (don't come schlepping in in jeans pleassse)...in fact ended up having dinner 2 nights in a row at the bar...see that review and missed out on tons of fab eateries...ah well it will be for next time when I come back to the HA...the magnolia will be wonderful in May.Oh and don't miss looking into the Presidents Church right across the road, take in Lincoln's solitary pew and admire the stained glass cuppola.

Stayed at the Hay Adams for the 3rd time in mid December 2012 for a business event. Amazing location...right next to the White House. Great restaurant, rooms and service. Beautifully decorated lobby and common areas, and the basement bar is historic and memorable.

My only complaint is the creaky floors and neighborhood noise in the rooms. Tough to address in a historic building, and definitely NOT a reason to avoid, but worth noting.

Don't miss the 9th floor view of the White House!

We just came back from a four day stay at The Hay-Adams and enjoyed every moment of our time there. Service, service and more service is their motto. From the moment of check-in we felt both welcomed and part of the family. Greeting us by name throughout our visit made us feel like this was our luxury home away from home. And what can I say about Leah, the morning host at the Lafayette restaurant in the hotel - each morning she greeted us with a hug - do you see the family theme here? She is a delight and made every day special. The room was well appointed and after a day of sight seeing the most comfortable bed welcomed us into a wonderful slumber. Most of our activities were in the White House so the location could not be better. On one evening my partner's knee was acting up and he needed it iced - in a matter of minutes the housekeeper brought us a bag of ice and checked in to see how he was doing - I mean REALLY! Another evening we were headed to Georgetown and rather than wait for the taxi the doorman brought the hotel limo to drive us there. We cannot wait to come back next spring.
Salim and Monty