Arrival/Check-In: We arrived around 10 p.m. on a rainy Friday after a long day of work, eager to valet the car and check in. Located in The Wharf, Washington, D.C.’s newest and most vibrant district which opened in October 2017, the InterContinental Washington, D.C. – The Wharf benefits from an excellent waterfront position. Although the rain kept crowds down that first night, the area proved lively over the next two days as the weather cleared. Finding the hotel valet was a little tricky while driving through The Wharf, but once we parked and stretched our legs after a three-hour drive, the check-in process went smoothly. There was a minor mix-up when we handed over the keys, but within ten minutes of arrival we were on our way to our 10th-floor guestroom.
Guest Quarters: The hotel had only been open a few months at the time of our visit, and the fresh condition of the property was evident in the thoughtful design details throughout. One detail I appreciated was how the elevator opens: instead of revealing a guestroom door or a plain hallway, the elevators open onto a wood-paneled divider that creates a clear separation between the elevator area and the corridor, giving a more refined feel to each floor.
Our corner guestroom opened into a short entry hall with a long closet immediately to the right. Two walls of floor-to-ceiling windows provided different vistas of The Wharf, bringing in natural light and water views.
The sleeping area featured a king-sized bed flanked by nightstands with conveniently placed electrical outlets. Near one set of windows were an armchair and a desk with a chair positioned to make the most of the view. Opposite the bed, a dresser supported the flat-screen TV and housed a minibar, a Nespresso machine, and additional storage. The bathroom was generously sized and included both a rainfall shower and a large soaking tub.
Services/Amenities: The hotel’s on-site restaurant, Kith/Kin, contributes to the property’s energetic atmosphere. Led by Executive Chef Kwame Onwuachi, Kith/Kin focuses on Afro-Caribbean cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a lounge menu featuring small plates and cocktails. During our stay, standout dishes included the Brussels suya and the jerk half chicken.
Additional amenities planned for the year include a 12th-floor lounge with waterfront views serving contemporary dishes and cocktails, a full-service spa, and a seasonal rooftop pool. A modern fitness center is already open to guests.
For meetings and events, the hotel provides 17,000 square feet of flexible event space, including 11 meeting rooms and several ballrooms suitable for a range of gatherings.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
◆ As an experienced traveler, you notice the small inconveniences that can affect a stay. The designers at InterContinental Washington, D.C. – The Wharf addressed several practical details in the guestrooms. For example, the shower controls are mounted on the wall opposite the showerhead to avoid a cold blast of water when turning the shower on; a small corner bar in the shower offers a convenient place to rest your foot while shaving; and the metal rack for toiletries is deeper and larger than typical, preventing small bottles from slipping off.
◆ The location is hard to beat. The Wharf itself offers numerous dining, shopping, and entertainment options, and from the hotel we could walk to museums, restaurants, and the baseball stadium. The property’s position makes it an excellent base for exploring the city on foot.
INTERCONTINENTAL WASHINGTON, D.C. – THE WHARF
801 Wharf St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20024
tel 202 800 0844
wharfintercontinentaldc.com