InterContinental The Willard Washington D.C. by IHG
A historic Pennsylvania Avenue hotel offering Washington Monument views and walking access to the National Mall.
The verdict
Pick a traveller type to re-weight the scores and re-rank the rooms around what you actually care about.
The Willard is a grand hotel situated on Pennsylvania Avenue within walking distance of the National Mall and iconic landmarks. Guests enjoy spacious rooms with comfortable pillow-top beds, generous breakfast credits, and views of the Washington Monument. However, reviewers frequently complain about aging rooms in need of renovation and service hiccups like delayed housekeeping. 1118158
Every line below traces back to something a traveler actually wrote — open a line to read the original sentence and follow it to the source.
What travelers noticed
- Guests agree that the location is unbeatable for sightseeing, placing travelers within walking distance of the National Mall and major monuments. 11115
- Suites frequently earn praise for offering direct views of the Washington Monument, the White House, and Pennsylvania Avenue. 18122
- The bedrooms deliver a restful night with comfortable pillow-top beds, plush white linens, and heavy drapery for blackout sleeping. 22115
The catch
- Guests disagree on the dining at Café du Parc, where some praise the rack of lamb and French toast while others find dishes like the omelette disappointing and the steak overpriced. 4
- Service experiences are mixed, with several guests reporting warm hospitality while others encounter unhelpful front desk staff and delayed housekeeping that leaves toiletries unreplaced. 16
Who it's for
- — Travelers wanting views of the Washington Monument
- — Sightseers exploring the National Mall on foot
- — IHG Diamond Elite members seeking suite upgrades
Skip it if
- — Light sleepers sensitive to elevator noise behind bedroom walls
- — Guests expecting fully renovated, modern room interiors
- — Travelers looking for budget-friendly dining
Seen on camera
11 moments · 3 videos · InterContinental The Willard Washington D.C. by IHG
Each moment is pulled at the second a cited reviewer said the words. Play it here, or open the original video at that timestamp.
“So, it was a great little desk to use while I needed to get a couple things done remotely.”
youtube.com6:46“the lighting is nice especially the lighting around the bed and stuff but it's not amazing”
youtube.com1:47“all right the first one and the second one they're both very you know reasonably close like a less than 10minute ride on…”
youtube.com8:56“if you look around the room though it's not quite as clean okay and that's I guess that's just due to wear and tear like…”
youtube.com10:31“Nothing out of this world to point out. You got a full size mirror on the door. That's really nice when you're trying to…”
youtube.com5:27“But our view was fantastic. We enjoyed it. Lincoln Memorial. It's the white building up to the left in the middle is the…”
youtube.com7:03“But I actually really enjoyed the accommodations and the location was great. We were able to walk to many of the differe…”
youtube.com7:29“the location was great. We were able to walk to many of the different sightseeing things that we wanted to see and the s…”
youtube.com7:31“Located right in the heart of Washington D.C., this hotel puts you just moments away from the city's most iconic landmar…”
youtube.com0:17“only kind of disappointing thing is there isn't one of those mirrors that sort of illuminates your face with the light t…”
youtube.com6:21“One of the biggest practical advantages here is the location's accessibility. You can reach the airport in approximately…”
youtube.com0:25Frames are citations: each one links to its second in the source video, attributed to the creator who filmed it. Nothing here is supplied by the hotel. Creators who want a moment removed can ask and we take it down.
How to book
Score breakdown
How the 92/100 is built, category by category — each one with the strongest thing travelers actually said, and the source it came from.
Bathroom
96- “Having two full bathrooms (stocked with full-size Byredo bath products) in the suite was a great perk that made getting ready to go out for the day much faster.” 2
- “The bathroom was simple yet chic. It had a white and grey colour scheme. What stood out were the bathroom accessories that were gold-coloured, adding a touch of luxury.” 4
Location
99Room
93- “Elegant decor extends to The Willard's accommodations, which feature blue and gold color schemes, wood furnishings and luxurious amenities like flat-screen TVs, individual climate controls and fully stocked minibars.” 11
- “I later checked my IHG app and discovered they had upgraded me to a corner one-bedroom suite! This suite was going for over $1,000/night during my stay. The best I had hoped for was a junior suite. Status meant something at this property!” 4
Service
93- “Deborah Haugen Reply March 2, 2019 at 8:00 pm My daughter, daughter in law, and I have spent our girls get away week during the pre Christmas holidays at the Willard the last three years. We are in love with the hotel and it's staff. It's a warm, welcoming environment with historical charm.” 17
- “I remember that night so clearly. We enjoyed amazing rack of lamb, but what really stood out to me was the unparalleled service. Our waiter was so good...it simply blew me away.” 6
Bed & Sleep
95Value
86- “Not to mention, the service provided to those with and without elite status is top-notch, making it an ideal choice for locals (like me) and visitors alike - even if it costs a little more than average upfront.” 15
- “This ended up being a terrific rate for the suite I was assigned for my stay, as my top-tier Diamond Elite status and extra-charge Ambassador membership resulted in an upgrade to a spacious Oval Suite, which would've cost me $2,119 per night (including taxes and fees) out of pocket.” 15
Where it is, how to reach it
Details checked 2026-09-05
Where it sits
InterContinental The Willard Washington D.C. by IHG and the 29 other hotels we cover in Washington DC. Hover a marker for the hotel; click to open it.
Stay value
How this property reads against the hotels we cover alongside it. Measured on review evidence, not on a nightly rate.
On par with what $$$ usually buys
Scores level with the upscale median of 92, across 282 hotels in the same bracket. In Washington DC it sits 2 points above the local median of 90.
- This hotel
- 92
- Bracket median
- 92
- Index median
- 88
Based on 282 comparable hotels.
Which room to ask for
What reviewers say about where to sleep inside this building — by room number where one is named, and otherwise by floor, wing, aspect and position. Every line opens onto the quotes behind it.
- 1 mention
- 1 mention
No location within the hotel draws repeated complaints yet.
Where travelers agree — and don’t
The topics reviewers split on most. A wide bar means your experience depends on which room you get — or whose opinion you trust.
View the 106 things travelers said behind this verdict▾
Quotes run exactly as travelers wrote them — spelling and all. We trim for length, never for tidiness.
- “Old-school hospitality by way of suited-up staff assisting guests with any request - sometimes even before requests are made - is apparent the second you arrive, and elegant, eye-catching decor awaits around every corner.” 15
- “I found the service here was friendly, welcoming and not stuffy.” 4
- “Here is the bathroom, which was actually really nice. They had a haird dryer, plenty of towels, and they even had a scale.” 19
- “The main hotel front desk was equally professional. When we asked about a late checkout, the associate was happy to accommodate our travel schedule and immediately reissued keys valid through the new checkout time-a small detail, but one that's often overlooked at hotels causing annoyance when you go out the morning of checkout and have to come back down because your key has stopped working.” 2
- “A litany of issues with housekeeping, rooms not cleaned by 4pm despite going to the desk and asking 2pm and being assured it was imminent, toiletries not replaced, keys failing each day.” 16
- “Cafe du Parc also has outside seating in the summer, which is nice.” 3
- “Deborah Haugen Reply March 2, 2019 at 8:00 pm My daughter, daughter in law, and I have spent our girls get away week during the pre Christmas holidays at the Willard the last three years. We are in love with the hotel and it's staff. It's a warm, welcoming environment with historical charm.” 17
- “Service: bell staff handled luggage to/from the room, and room service housekeeping was responsive” 3
- “The rooms are in desperate need of renovation and the service is mediocre at best.” 6
- “The second morning was different. I found that the service wasn't attentive, the waiter seemed rushed, and it took a while to get our food.” 4
- “Although the associate was friendly, the interaction surprised me because she didn't go through the status benefits that I would be entitled to.” 4
- “Best for history lovers, less so for anyone relying on consistent daily housekeeping.” 9
- “Thankfully, the front desk associate was accommodating. He told us we can head back to the Café, and they'd bring us the room service menus so that we could order dessert.” 4
- “I remember that night so clearly. We enjoyed amazing rack of lamb, but what really stood out to me was the unparalleled service. Our waiter was so good...it simply blew me away.” 6
- “What I experienced next was the longest check-in process in recent memory. I greeted the agent, and she asked for my ID and card for incidentals - perhaps the only prompt part of check-in. What followed was about a 15-minute check-in, perhaps spurred by what I thought was a reasonable inquiry.” 12
- “The Willard offers concierge service via text, making it easy to get quick answers without picking up the phone.” 2
- “Breakfast at Cafe du Parc was solid, with the warm, attentive service surpassing the just-satisfactory fare.” 12
- “I remember that night so clearly. We enjoyed amazing rack of lamb, but what really stood out to me was the unparalleled service.” 6
- “iron, ironing board, and also some complimentary slippers, which aren't in the video, but they were nice.” 19
- “Bottom line: Why are we choosing The Willard? It's hard to beat this hotel's location and proximity to the city's biggest sites; it's a true grand dame of D.C., and the impeccable service won't disappoint.” 21
- “only kind of disappointing thing is there isn't one of those mirrors that sort of illuminates your face with the light that goes all the way around that is kind of a nice feature to have” On camera16:21
- “Service throughout the hotel felt consistently warm and polished. One morning, while juggling coffees and breakfast on the way back to our room, a doorman noticed and rushed ahead to call the elevator and press our floor.” 2
- “I also had lunch here on the day of my arrival and ordered a salad. It was so-so.” 4
- “What was great about this restaurant was that you had the choice of having your breakfast, lunch or dinner at either the main dining room on the second floor or outside on their beautiful terrace.” 4
- “Breakfast was a highlight each day in Cafe du Parc, the hotel's French bistro. Both a buffet and a la carte menu are available. I particularly enjoyed the French Toast.” 17
- “Heading on to the Cafe Dup Park. So this is where we would go to get breakfast every morning. They had blueberry muffins, chocolate croissants, and they also had a bunch of pastries. We actually came back and got some macaroons later. Everything was delicious. We really enjoyed the convenience of it, and everything tasted really good.” 19
- “It is an excellent and full breakfast in a place where white house and congressional power brokers often go. The only problem is that you might have to wait for a table so go early.” 16
- “I'm staying here, just found out breakfast credit is $82 for 2 people per day.” 3
- “Here are a few pics of the dessert our group indulged in! I had the crème brulé, and it satisfied my sweet tooth.” 4
- “A new restaurant called Cafe Du Parc opened instead. The food is great there, but the ambiance and elegance does not approach the Willard Room.” 6
- “Sebelum check out, kami menyempatkan diri untuk bersantai kafe bergaya Perancis milik The Willard, yakni Le Café. Kafe ini menyajikan kopi (menu) yang berkualitas dengan French pastries yang Instagrammable.” 14
- “Sayangnya, belum ada benefit free breakfast dan upgrade kamar juga sangat minim hingga terasa seperti tidak ada upgrade sama sekali.” 14
- “Stayed earlier this year at the Intercontinental/The Wharf, which has a nice location and a great inside restaurant called Willowsong.” 12
- “Even my breakfast was disappointing. I ordered the omelette, which I thought would be a great choice given that I was dining at a French brasserie, but it fell below my expectations.” 4
- “I found the breakfast benefit here was generous. You simply charged your breakfast to your room and were given $82 credit if you booked for two people.” 4
- “I had mixed feelings about the service and food at the Café du Parc. The first morning when we had breakfast, the service was fantastic.” 4
- “I chose the avocado toast with two over-easy eggs (normally $21) and an iced latte (normally $6) the first morning, which was a tasty, light (but still satisfying) meal to enjoy on a hot late-summer day.” 15
- “I will say the free breakfast at Cafe du Parc felt like a steal in quality and quantity” 3
- “@ Matthew - This is our favorite hotel in the world. This is our favorite hotel in the world. And my favorite breakfast in the world (the French Toast is to die for).” 17
- “The first morning when we had breakfast, the service was fantastic. I also really enjoyed the avocado toast.” 4
- “Executive suites are luxe and roomy, some with two bathrooms, as well as a dining and lounge area.” 21
- “Elegant decor extends to The Willard's accommodations, which feature blue and gold color schemes, wood furnishings and luxurious amenities like flat-screen TVs, individual climate controls and fully stocked minibars.” 11
- “Across from the bed was a desk and a chair with a city view. In the right corner was a comfortable accent chair with an ottoman to kick back and relax.” 4
- “The memory of my first visit is so clear to me. The palm trees in the lobby and beautiful ceilings. Ornate furniture.” 6
- “I later checked my IHG app and discovered they had upgraded me to a corner one-bedroom suite! This suite was going for over $1,000/night during my stay. The best I had hoped for was a junior suite. Status meant something at this property!” 4
- “Rooms have basic minibars, USB charging points, and luckily, in-room coffeemakers from Nespresso.” 21
- “Oversized by D.C. hotel standards, rooms start at a spacious 425 square feet, and most offer prime views, either of Pennsylvania Avenue, the White House, or downtown Washington, D.C.” 18
- “Perpendicular to the bed were a large couch and functional desk. The latter offered a great view of Pennsylvania Avenue from a floor-to-ceilng window.” 12
- “I stayed there before and it's a beautiful hotel. I just had a standard size room, and it was spacious.” 6
- “The small dining nook just off the living room was an added bonus, as it came with a terrific peekaboo view of the Washington Monument I enjoyed while dining in the suite.” 15
- “So, it was a great little desk to use while I needed to get a couple things done remotely.” On camera196:46
- “Beautifully restored property with regal Old World decor” 5
- “if you look around the room though it's not quite as clean okay and that's I guess that's just due to wear and tear like all the furniture was in beautiful condition” On camera110:31
- “I was in the junior suite and the air worked as intended had no issue with the AC” 3
- “the lighting is nice especially the lighting around the bed and stuff but it's not amazing” On camera11:47
- “Turning back toward the foyer, just beyond the portrait of Howe, I discovered the highlight of the suite: a spectacular living room similar in shape to the famed Oval Office at the White House.” 15
- “Just past the bedroom was another hall with a second closet leading to the second entrance and the main bathroom, which felt surprisingly small given the otherwise spacious feel of the suite, perhaps due to its lack of a second vanity.” 15
- “Apparently they sold the JA suite and we were downgraded to what we called the John Quincy Adams Suite - one bedroom very nice but on the corner looking st the Washington Monument and White House. . Very cool.” 6
- “It was old-school DC. There was nothing modern about it, just tastefully timeless furniture and marble in an ornate and spacious suite. I know this style is not for everyone, but I loved it so much.” 17
- “I loved the public areas, and my corner suite was phenomenal, except for the part that it's by the elevators!” 4
- “Our suite offered incredible views of the Washington Monument from both the living room and bedroom, a highlight that immediately set the tone for the stay.” 2
- “I found that the best amenity included in the suite was the fluffy and comfy slippers!” 4
- “I appreciated the bedroom's thoughtful layout. Even the traditional decor - which I normally wouldn't gravitate toward - offered a refined ambience that felt appropriate given the property's age (without appearing dated).” 15
- “Bedroom TV is older does not have Netflix or smart features, if you want to watch anything like that I'd recommend bringing something, they do have HDMI slots which helps” 3
- “Initially we were upgraded to the John Adams suite which is very fancy but on the back side of the hotel with no view.” 6
- “I had a reward night here in April over easter on a weekend. Upgraded to incredibly large oval suite, was nice.” 16
- “The highlight was sitting on their lovely outdoor terrace and enjoying the warm sunshine. It's a must-do experience and almost makes you feel like you're in Europe until you notice the massive trucks and SUVs whiz by.” 4
- “DavidB Reply February 24, 2019 at 11:01 am Just came across this and fully concur. It's my regular when visiting your capital and when I was a RA also received an incredible multi-room suite (living room, dining room and huge bedroom sitting area).” 6
- “Featuring two windows for a decent amount of natural light, the bedroom was organized into various zones, including a work area with a desk, a sleeping space with a comfortable king-size bed topped with plenty of plush pillows, and a leisure corner with a cozy chair and ottoman ideal for reading or watching TV.” 15
- “Not to mention, the service provided to those with and without elite status is top-notch, making it an ideal choice for locals (like me) and visitors alike - even if it costs a little more than average upfront.” 15
- “Don't stay there, it's a disappointment and not worth the money.” 6
- “I knew our reservation was subject to the property's daily amenity fee at booking. Indeed, I was okay shelling out the fee and an extra 10k points beyond the cert for this unique experience. Still, the fee's annoying, but it comes with a few options some might actually use.” 12
- “Generally, award rates at The Willard are quite high, and I'd rather use my IHG points on other experiences.” 12
- “This is THE BEST hotel in DC. We stay here about 15 nights per year and would never stay elsewhere in DC. This hotel is worth the price.” 12
- “Regardless, I've seen more egregious daily fees at properties which don't provide any substantive credits. So this isn't the worst daily fee out there.” 12
- “This ended up being a terrific rate for the suite I was assigned for my stay, as my top-tier Diamond Elite status and extra-charge Ambassador membership resulted in an upgrade to a spacious Oval Suite, which would've cost me $2,119 per night (including taxes and fees) out of pocket.” 15
- “Located just one block from the White House, the Willard makes an ideal base for exploring Washington, D.C.” 2
- “Location, location, location!!!! That's also my place to stay in DC.” 6
- “Two blocks from the White House and the National Mall, this historic hotel from 1818 has been expertly restored-in fact, it's just wrapped up an $18 million renovation.” 11
- “The location is also unbeatable.” 4
- “But I actually really enjoyed the accommodations and the location was great. We were able to walk to many of the different sightseeing things that we wanted to see and the staff was really wonderful.” On camera197:29
- “Great history (and museum telling that story) and location.” 6
- “Stayed earlier this year at the Intercontinental/The Wharf, which has a nice location and a great inside restaurant called Willowsong.” 12
- “the location was great. We were able to walk to many of the different sightseeing things that we wanted to see and the staff was really wonderful.” On camera197:31
- “Located right in the heart of Washington D.C., this hotel puts you just moments away from the city's most iconic landmarks.” On camera80:17
- “Short walk from the National Theatre, so a good option for a stay, or just for dinner, if you are seeing a show.” 3
- “It's easy to walk to many of Washington's most popular sites from the hotel. Within a day, you can check out the White House, the World War I Memorial, the Washington Monument and a Smithsonian museum or two - depending on how action-packed you want your day to be - all without a car.” 15
- “Neighborhood is dead at night” 5
- “Positioned at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, the Willard remains a popular choice for business and leisure travelers due to its ideal location, just blocks from the White House, the National Mall, multiple Metro stations and more.” 18
- “The location is good for the purpose of our visit but the hotels is not one that I would ever stay in again.” 16
- “Bottom line: Why are we choosing The Willard? It's hard to beat this hotel's location and proximity to the city's biggest sites; it's a true grand dame of D.C., and the impeccable service won't disappoint.” 21
- “The massive Willard sits at the heart of everything D.C.; the National Mall and all of the most recognizable monuments are within walking distance.” 11
- “Altogether, the two nights came at $468, including taxes. This worked out to $234/night. Not bad for a luxury hotel! Especially since the Marriott Residence Inn downtown was going for just over $300/night!” 4
- “One of the biggest practical advantages here is the location's accessibility. You can reach the airport in approximately 15 minutes, which makes arriving and departing incredibly effortless.” On camera80:25
- “It's a good location for visiting the capital's sights, but the immediate neighborhood -- bustling with nine-to-fivers during the day -- can border on desolate at night.” 5
- “Having two full bathrooms (stocked with full-size Byredo bath products) in the suite was a great perk that made getting ready to go out for the day much faster.” 2
- “The small, bright bathroom offered the basics, perhaps less than I expected from this level of property. Still, it does the best with the dimensions it was dealt.” 12
- “The bathroom was simple yet chic. It had a white and grey colour scheme. What stood out were the bathroom accessories that were gold-coloured, adding a touch of luxury.” 4
- “The bathroom was otherwise well appointed, though, offering a marble walk-in shower, a separate tub (also surrounded by marble), Byredo Bal d'Afrique bath amenities, a sink with a light-up mirror and - an unexpected find - a smart toilet.” 15
- “Bathrooms come well-equipped with magnifying mirrors, nail files, cotton swabs, scales, and shower/tub combos.” 5
- “Here's a look at the bathtub shower. Kind of standard. Nothing out of this world to point out.” 19
- “The tub and shower were fine, clean, and promptly provided hot water.” 12
- “The only major negative was that the elevators were directly behind the bedroom. This meant I would hear the lift go up and down throughout the night. I didn't appreciate this as a light sleeper.” 4
- “But our view was fantastic. We enjoyed it. Lincoln Memorial. It's the white building up to the left in the middle is the Lincoln Memorial.” On camera197:03
What we still don't know
What we can’t tell you yet, said plainly. These close as we read more coverage of this hotel.
- No reviewer has named an individual room number here yet.
- Nothing reliable said about room types.
- Nothing reliable said about floor level.
- Nothing reliable said about building or wing.
- Nothing reliable said about which side it faces.
- 13 sources carry no publication date, so we cannot tell how current they are.
Ask about InterContinental The Willard Washington D.C. by IHG
Answered only from the coverage cited on this page. If nobody has written about your question, it will say so rather than guess.
How much we read
Deep coverage · 18/100We read 0 sources for this property, covering 0 traveler mentions, boiled down to 0 traveler insights worth knowing. Last checked 2026-09-04.
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Sources
Everything quoted on this page, grouped by traveler insights, outlets, and video & podcast. Counts beside each group show everything we’ve read of that kind; no one kind can carry the score on its own.
5 of 5 summary lines above are traced to specific quotes. The rest summarise the read as a whole rather than any single document.
View all 22 cited sources▾
Everything quoted on this page.
- 3InterContinental The Willard DC Jan 2-4 Review (The Edit ...reddit.comForum thread2026-01-04Recent9 quotes used
“Cafe du Parc also has outside seating in the summer, which is nice.”
Read originalreddit.com - 2Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. Reviewluxurycheckin.comReview site2025-12-30Recent8 quotes used
“The main hotel front desk was equally professional. When we asked about a late checkout, the associate was happy to accommodate our travel schedule and immediately reissued keys valid through the new checkout time-a smal…”
Read originalluxurycheckin.com - 15A review of the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. ...thepointsguy.comReview site2025-10-16Recent18 quotes used
“Old-school hospitality by way of suited-up staff assisting guests with any request - sometimes even before requests are made - is apparent the second you arrive, and elegant, eye-catching decor awaits around every corner…”
Read originalthepointsguy.com - 12Intercontinental The Willard Washington, DC Highlightsmilestomemories.comReview site2025-08-19Recent14 quotes used
“Perpendicular to the bed were a large couch and functional desk. The latter offered a great view of Pennsylvania Avenue from a floor-to-ceilng window.”
Read originalmilestomemories.com - 5Willard InterContinental Washington Reviewoyster.comReview site2024-08-07Ageing6 quotes used
“Beautifully restored property with regal Old World decor”
Read originaloyster.com - 4The Willard InterContinental Washington DC – An Amazing ...pointsmilesandbling.comReview site2023-06-27Ageing20 quotes used
“I also had lunch here on the day of my arrival and ordered a salad. It was so-so.”
Read originalpointsmilesandbling.com
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