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Opened in 1925, The Mayflower Hotel, currently a part of Marriott’s Autograph collection, is D.C.’s longest-operating hotel and a true institution having hosted numerous Presidential inaugural balls and state dinners involving the most celebrated names in American politics and entertainment. Once dubbed as “Washington’s Second Best Address” by President Harry Truman, the hotel has so much interesting history and stories behind it.
With a plethora of hotel options available for our one-night stay in Washington D.C., I was looking forward to the quick stay at The Mayflower. I was well aware that it’s probably not a hard product that will blow me away – but there’s something I find so fun and quirky about staying at properties that have a colorful past – similar to how I’ve enjoyed stays at some of Fairmont’s historic hotels in Canada for example.
The Mayflower Hotel, Image Source: Hotel website
Over the years I’ve had plenty of quick overnights at hotels close to D.C.’s two main airports Dulles (IAD) and Reagan (DCA) owing to often taking the direct IAD-AUH flights on Etihad along with the Ottawa-DCA non-stop service. Despite always wanting to explore the city itself, it had not always been possible until now.
Location
The Mayflower is centrally located in the city, close to several mainstay DC attractions. The White House is about 11 minutes away by foot, whilst other notable attractions like the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian are within a 35 min stroll.
Historical monuments aside, the hotel is very much in the beating heart of the downtown Washington, and as such is well connected to the city’s metro system with no less than 4 metro stations within a 15 minute walk. Given the central location, it is naturally in close proximity to a number of restaurants and businesses in the downtown core. Casual national chains like Shake Shack and Chick-Fil-A, along with some great coffee options like Tatte and Roasting Plant Coffee are conveniently situated within a 5-6 mins walk of the hotel.
Booking
Standard rooms at the The Mayflower for most of the year range between USD $250-$450/night, with some occasional off-peak rates in the mid-$100’s.
At the time of writing, points redemptions seem to range between 40,000-73,000 Bonvoy which certainly seems to be on the higher side than what I had seen when booking this property in December 2023 – thanks Bonvoy! For my date, a 40,000 point night was available which worked out great as I was able to use an expiring 40,000 Free Night Award which I had previously selected as my Titanium Annual Choice Benefit.
Main Hotel Entrance on Connecticut Avenue
Elite & Brand Benefits
Elite recognition at The Autograph Collection brand usually doesn’t offer much in terms of elite recognition to Marriott Bonvoy Elites. For my stay, the property was unexpectedly generous though…
- Welcome Gift: None.
- Breakfast: Dining credit of USD ~$27/pp at the in-house restaurant “Edgar Lounge” up to 2 people, though I’ve recently heard that Platinum & Titanium elite’s now get an additional $5 credit now. PSA: The banana bread lives up to its lowkey hype.
- Early Check-in/Late check-out: We arrived late and did not need to ask about early check-in. Late checkout was proactively offered at check-in which we gratefully accepted given our evening departure the next day.
- Suite Upgrade? None available in checking morning of check-in. and did not inquire at check-in either.
All hotels guests get the following:
- Parking: Valet – USD $66/night
- Turndown Service: No
- Daily Destination Fee: USD $25 per room per night charged at check-in. Nowadays this apparently includes a one-time $27 Uber credit per stay which they will send you a link for at check-in. Additionally two tickets per stay for the National Capital Trolley Museum… that’s right.. there is a museum for street cars and trams!
Overall Impressions
For our stay, we were booked into, and assigned a standard 2 Double Bed Guestroom. Being the holiday season and seemingly hosting a couple of wedding parties around the same time, I had bleak hopes of getting an upgrade going in especially as the booking was made very last minute.
We were dropped off at the side entrance on Desales Street where a bellman assisted us with our luggage to the main lobby where the check-in desk was. The check-in process was straight forward and efficient with all benefits and extra’s (included with the destination fee) explained clearly. The lobby itself is very grand and ornate – especially so with the Christmas decorations in full swing.
Hotel Lobby
Main Lobby, Image Source: Hotel website
Main Lobby, Image Source: Hotel website
Aside from hosting the reception area, stairs to a mezzanine level that has some general seating, and the entrance to “Edgar” the inhouse restaurant – the main space is connected by a long grand corridor that stretches from the Connecticut Avenue all the way to 17th Street. Through here are entrances to various historic ballroom’s as well as alternative elevators to different wings of the hotel. The festive décor again added a fantastic sparkle to an already impressive historic space.
As far as the room goes, this is unfortunately where things start to feel a little dated at the hotel. Our room was assigned on the second floor and it’s only after walking the corridors to our room did I get a sense of how big this 581 room hotel is – essentially occupying almost an entire block.
While the rooms certainly don’t scream 2020’s, they were fine for our needs. It does have to be said though – between the wallpaper, color scheme of the room and the non-descript view – spending anything more than a handful of days here could feel a bit glum if I’m being honest.
Size wise, the space was generous for a standard room and almost felt more like a deluxe size room which came with a chaise lounge, an armchair and had a separate foyer area. I should mention, that while we were here in December and obviously had no need of an A/C – there are frequent complaints online about a number of the hotel’s rooms having issues with this. On an unpleasant note, we did find a used cutip on the bathroom floor right at the entrance and a scrunched-up tissue next to the waste basket when we first arrived.
Double Bed Guestroom
Double Bed Guestroom
Double Bed Guestroom
Double Bed Guestroom
Activities & Dining
The hotel’s only on site dining outlet is “Edgar” – a brasserie named after the (in)famous former FBI directory J. Edgar Hoover. As the story goes, Hoover dined here for nearly every working day for nearly 20 years sitting in the same corner of the restaurant with his assistant and ordering the same meal of chicken soup, buttered toast and a salad of lettuce, cottage cheese and grapefruit. Allegedly, it was during of this lunches that his team had discovered the soon-to-defect German spy George Dasch who was staying in room 351. This is just an example of one of many little tidbits and stories that every corner of the Mayflower seems to be steeped in.
Inside entrance to “Edgar” Bar and Kitchen
Though we didn’t get a chance to try dinner at Edgar, we did have breakfast there. As mentioned above, Bonvoy Platinum members can get $27 credit per person on breakfast. While maybe not being able to fully cover a full breakfast, it will take care of the majority of the bill.
Whilst not busy on a holiday weekend, we nonetheless found the staff to be very friendly and helpful especially with our infant – even offering to hold her when our breakfast arrived. The food itself was a positive surprise and exceeded my admittedly low expectations with their signature banana bread a particular highlight.
Edgar Breakfast/Brunch menu
Edgar’s famous Banana Bread
Breakfast
Breakfast at Edgar
Breakfast at Edgar
Whilst probably not a “amenity”, there was some open seating area and arrangements on a mini mezzanine level overlooking the main lobby that I found was a nice place to catch up on errands or work. Accessible by staircase from the main lobby next to the bell desk, the area housed some neat features like an inhouse library as well as several display cabinets displaying artifact’s and publications of the hotels history. Definitely a fun place to peruse for a half hour if you find yourself with the time and interest to explore.
Staircase to Mezzanine
General seating area on the Mezzanine level
Hotel memorabilia
Hotel memorabilia displayed
The gym here is well equipped with a good mix of cardio machines and weights. Open 24/7 and was accessible with room keys.
Gym was open 24/7
Gym was open 24/7
Final Word: I’m not rushing back… but I wouldn’t avoid it either
The hotel was adequate for what we needed – a central springboard location from which to explore all that DC has to offer for a tourist. While the common area’s are indeed beautiful, the rooms themselves are a letdown despite their generous base size. It’s a hotel that I imagine I’d be happy to host a swanky ball or gala at… but probably not one where I’d be rushing back to “for the experience” if needing to getaway with the family for the weekend. For a good redemption or attractive price however – and outside of the summer given the A/C complaints – I’d certainly consider it.
More Pictures
