Situated on Washington D.C.’s Pennsylvania Avenue between The White House and the U.S Capitol, Waldorf Astoria Washington DC is located in the iconic Old Post Office building which has been elegantly restored to its historic grandeur. It is also within close proximity to National Mall museums, the Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial.

The hotel’s expansive guest rooms and suites are among the largest in the city and offer stunning views of Pennsylvania Avenue, exquisite furnishings and luxury amenities. It is also home to Waldorf Astoria Spa at Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, a relaxing escape that includes a Himalayan salt therapy room, relaxation area, and luxuriously appointed treatment rooms. The spa’s team of skilled therapists tailor each guest’s experience according to their needs, and the treatment menu offers an extensive variety of healing and rejuvenating services.

We interviewed Jessica Rose, Director of Spa at Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, to learn more about treatments to try, insider tips, and more.

Why You’ll Love It: There are so many things that guests love about our spa, so I have included the top three that are consistently mentioned in our reviews:

1. Friendliness of our staff. Guests mention that everyone is very welcoming and that they feel we are genuine with our interactions.

2. Our services. Everyone raves about their service experience. We hear guests say it was one of the best services they have ever received and they have been to spas all over the world.  We also receive quite a bit of feed back about how attentive the team was to the guest throughout their entire time at the spa.

3. Our facility. Whether they are mentioning how clean the changing rooms are or how relaxing and tranquil they found our relaxation sanctuary to be, guests seem to love our spa.

Key Features: Once a guest has checked in for their service we provide the guest a tour of the spa which includes our co-ed relaxation sanctuary with private cocoons where they can pull a curtain closed for privacy, cover up with a blanket and read or just relax. This is where they will also find an assortment of spa refreshments. Within the Women’s and Men’s changing areas you will find a Eucalyptus Steam Room, two rain showers, and vanities fully stocked with anything you may need to get ready after service. We do also provide guests with a locker, plush robe, and comfortable spa shoes throughout their time at the spa.

Just off of our couple’s therapy treatment room we is our couple’s suite which offers a private relaxation area, dual rain shower, and our Himalayan Salt Room, which is one of the only Himalayan Salt Rooms you can find in the D.C. area. Guests may reserve 30 minutes privately in the Himalayan Salt Room (which can accommodate parties of 4 comfortably) for $60 per person. If a couple wishes to include the couple’s experience prior to concluding their service they may reserve the couple’s suite for 30 minutes and includes the Himalayan Salt room, plus chocolate-covered strawberries, and a glass of champagne.

Insider’s Tip: If you are wanting to schedule a service on Saturday or Sunday, we recommend scheduling at least one week in advance or three to four weeks in advance during peak travel times. Please arrive for your ritual at least one hour prior to your scheduled time to utilize our self-guided contrast therapy, created to enhance each element of the ritual you selected.

Bonus: Local guests as well as hotel guests are invited to schedule services with the spa. All spa services scheduled do receive complimentary access to the spa amenities the day of their service (Himalayan Salt Room is an additional charge), however if a guest would like enjoy the spa facility and amenities without a service scheduled they may purchase a day pass for $75 plus tax. The day pass purchase does include the changing room with eucalyptus steam room, relaxation sanctuary and scheduled time in the Himalayan Salt Room. All guests are offered one complimentary glass of champagne during their time at the spa.

Snacks Served: We serve a variety of snacks and beverages in the spa including rosemary crackers, gourmet dried fruit, caramel popcorn with peanuts, chocolate-covered fruit, apples, and an assortment of hot tea and water. 

Splurge Treatment: For couples, especially those celebrating something, I would highly recommend the Couple’s Champagne and Caviar Retreat. It is a 4-and-a-half-hour service, beginning with a glass of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs while enjoying a champagne foot soak in the Himalayan Salt Room. Next, they will experience a champagne body scrub side by side in the couple’s treatment room before rinsing off in the dual rain shower. Before their 90-minute massage begins, the couple has time to enjoy champagne and caviar in the couple’s suite. The experience concludes with additional time for the couple to relax privately and enjoy any remaining champagne.

For an individual guest, I would recommend our Champagne, Diamonds, and Gold Retreat. This 4-hour experience begins with a warm neck wrap and glass of Veuve Clicquot while seated in our relaxation sanctuary. Once in the treatment room the service begins with dry body brushing before being painted with a nanogold serum and wrapped in a cocoon to repair, firm, and lift. While wrapped, the guest receives a hot oil scalp treatment, and then enjoy a customized massage. This retreat concludes with a DIAMOND Luminous Facial. It includes a take-home gift of a dry body brush and Diamond Gemstone Face Mask.

Unique Treatment: I think that we have created a lot of unique treatments here at the Waldorf Astoria Spa D.C. Besides the two retreats mentioned above, we have also added the Balance, Rest, and Renewal Rituals to our treatment menu. We invite the guest to arrive at least an hour prior to their scheduled ritual to enjoy the self-guided contrast hydrotherapy that was created specific to their ritual. Each ritual has a beverage that is served prior to their service, and each receives a gift.

Insider’s Favorite: It is too difficult to pick a favorite, we have a lot of really amazing spa treatments!

Featured Products: We feature products from Natura Bisse, Naturopathica, Privai, Omm, Botanika Life, Knesko, Cimber Jewlery, and Soul Carrier.

For more information on Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, visit their website and follow on Instagram: @waldorfastoriadc

[Photos courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Washington DC]

Waldorf Astoria Washington DC

1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20004

202-695-1100