InterContinental Washington, D.C. – The Wharf: Where Waterfront Luxury Meets Washington History
InterContinental Washington, D.C. overlooks The Wharf, Washington D.C.'s vibrant waterfront district.
Perched in the heart of the vibrant, bustling neighborhood of the D.C. Wharf in the nation’s capital is the luxurious, gorgeous InterContinental Washington, D.C. – The Wharf. Centrally located in the Wharf, the gorgeous hotel looms over the Potomac River and a marina with boats, bars, and live music venues.
It’s also within easy walking or scootering distance to the National Mall with iconic landmarks, making it the perfect launching pad to visit Washington, D.C.
Accommodations feature spa-inspired bathrooms, elegant bedding, and spacious accommodations.
From our corner one-bedroom suite at the InterContinental D.C. Wharf, I could see yachts and small motorboats gliding through the waters from the bedroom, living room, and hallway with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Our main bedroom had panoramic views from two walls of expansive windows. The spacious bathroom was as large as a bedroom with a soaking tub, shower, and two sinks on a marble counter. The living room had a sofa bed, large TV, and desk that ran the length of the wall, along with a large closet.
Select rooms and suites offer direct river and wharf views.
From the room, we could also watch the Potomac Water Taxi, operated by City Cruises, embark from The Wharf, ferrying passengers all over the region, avoiding the traffic congestion and unexpected road closures around the city.
It’s an efficient public transportation system via the waterways that connect The Wharf, Diamond Teague Dock at the Nationals Park, National Harbor, and Old Town Alexandria, from which you could also embark on a Mount Vernon excursion to see where George Washington lived.
Hotel amenities include a heated outdoor rooftop pool and deck.
The Spa at the Wharf has an Oasis Lounge and several treatment rooms named after charming Washington, D.C., icons like Cherry Blossom, the gorgeous trees that line the National Mall in the spring.
The spa lounge also has floor-to-ceiling windows with lounge chairs separated by curtains, perfect for solo time. For refreshments, there was cinnamon tea and healthy snacks such as granola bites. After the treatment, the staff brought a plate of truffles to my chaise where I could slowly bring myself back to the real world.
The Best Spas in Washington, D.C.
I was scheduled for a deep tissue massage in a cozy treatment room, but the spa therapist quickly pivoted and analyzed what I really needed. She modified the treatment for the optimal experience. She added a relaxing head massage and foot reflexology with a special wooden tool to work on pressure points.
At the end, she reminded me to take care of myself, even as a busy mom. How did she know?!
The Spa at The Wharf offers guests a luxurious retreat for relaxation.
The Wharf itself is also within an easy walk to the National Mall. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum was the first one we came across. Though reservations for free tickets are recommended, the security guard gave us a tip to go to the front desk and ask for walk-in tickets, and we were able to go in and explore.
Other popular ones that are also free include the National Air and Space Museum with a new expansion, the National Museum of American History with a new exhibit titled “In Pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness,” and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which are also free, but tickets with reserved times are highly recommended. Landmarks like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Reflecting Pool are also nearby.
At one end of the Wharf is Jessie Taylor Seafood Market, a working fishing market with live crabs and other seafood delights. Customers take the crab across the market, 20 feet away, where the crabs get steamed, cooked, and seasoned with fresh Old Bay seasoning. You can also dig into soups and peel-and-eat shrimp. There are live indoor and outdoor music venues and a pier with adorable swinging benches.
Located near the hotel, the Watering Hole is an outdoor patio bar that overlooks the Washington Channel on Wharf Street.
On the ground level adjacent to the lobby is Willowsong, the hotel’s main restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, and two bars. With entrances from the Wharf’s walkway and the lobby, the restaurant maintains a good vibe for hotel guests and those who wander off the Wharf.
Start with the housemade milk bread and elevate it with bone marrow. The pastas are made in-house, and the duck ragu is excellent. Other main entrees include Whiffletree bone-in ribeye, Ovoka farm burgers, and local bass. Many of their dishes are locally sourced. Brussels sprouts make an excellent accompaniment.
After dinner, take a walk on the Wharf and catch the pink and rose-colored sunsets. You might even be lucky to spot a rainbow streaking across the sky, as I did.
The hotel’s sophisticated lobby.
The InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf is the perfect launching pad to explore the Nation’s Capital, as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary and beyond.
For more information and to book a stay at InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf, visit their website or call (202) 800-0844. For special deals on your stay, click here. Follow on Instagram: @intercontinentaldcwharf.
801 Wharf Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
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[Photos courtesy of The InterContinental Washington, D.C. – The Wharf]
Helen I. Hwang is an award-winning journalist, author, and mechanical engineer. Her works have appeared in The New York Times for Kids, Eater San Diego, People Magazine, Parents.com, Trip Advisor, Huffington Post, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine,TravelSavvy.com, and other publications.
She has also written a book, titled All Grown Up: Please Touch Museum and Its Move to Memorial Hall, for the Please Touch Museum, a children's museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In addition, Helen worked as a researcher for the Peabody Award-winning NPR radio program, Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Over the years, she's lived on three continents and traveled to more than 40 countries.
She currently lives in San Diego, CA, the 16th place she's called home. More about her can be found at helenihwang.com.