Are you looking for fun things to do in Washington, DC? I’ve found the perfect place to stay whether you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with your family.
My family and I live in the southwestern part of Virginia. When my husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary, we wanted to do something a little different and more special than our everyday norm but didn’t want to spend a lot of money.
Using Hotels.com, I was able to secure a room with a rate less than $130 per night (plus taxes and valet parking). We drove up to Washington, DC on a Saturday morning and I was really happy that they graciously allowed us to check in much earlier than their standard check in time of 3pm.
We stayed at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.
Situated on 11 acres of manicured lawns and gardens, this upscale 1930s-era hotel is a 4-minute walk from the metro and a 10-minute walk from the National Zoo.
It’s also conveniently located within a mile of the National Zoo, a block away from the Metro, and right across the street from the Trolley pick up. It’s nestled in the Woodley Park section of Washington, DC.
We had a Deluxe Room, with a King Bed, which was perfect for our romantic anniversary getaway. 
I was very excited to see the coffee set up, since it’s part of my morning routine. Other amenities include:
Entertainment – WiFi, flat-screen TV with premium channels
Food & Drink – Refrigerator and coffee/tea maker
Sleep – Premium bedding, a down duvet, and blackout drapes/curtains
Bathroom – Private bathroom with a shower/tub combination, bathrobes, and free toiletries
Although I didn’t do much work while I was there, I wish I would have signed up for the Omni Select Guest program. It’s free, and it comes with some great perks like free WiFi and a free beverage delivery each morning. If I would have brought my computer with me, I know that I would have made good use of the WiFi while I was there. 
Look how spacious and elegant the bathroom is.
As we planned what we were going to do for the day, I snapped this photo out of the hotel window, which conveniently shows the bus passing by the hotel, in case we opted for that mode of transport.
We decided on the DC Zoo, but before we headed there, I noticed this restaurant, too, through the beautiful view from the hotel: Open City Coffeehouse – Diner – Bar.
I had the Open City Burger White cheddar and applewood smoked bacon on a potato bun with a side of chipotle mayo. It was served with lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle, and fries. It was delicious!
We really enjoyed the open concept of the bar because of the wall opening that let the fresh air and refreshing breeze in, even though we were seated inside the restaurant.
I know that we all use our phones these days to figure what to do when visiting a new city, but I appreciated the activity guide along with the Tours & Diversions books that were available in our room.
Sunday morning, after coffee, I wandered around the hotel to take pictures. It was really hard to capture the beauty of this hotel, but I tried.
There was plenty of seating along the forest. Remember the property is situated on 11 acres.
Aren’t these flowers gorgeous? They were beautifully displayed along the walking paths on the property.
We didn’t go out on the hammocks, but that would have been a lovely way to spend the afternoon. They were situated under these huge trees, which made for comfortable, but breezy repose.
The outside terrace provided plenty of space and privacy to enjoy a meal, conversation, or solitude.
We went out to a local bar to try to watch a boxing match, but couldn’t find one. If I had seen this Saturday night, I’m sure I would have opted for this instead.
The vast grounds house a seasonal outdoor pool with a lounge area offering food and cocktails. There’s also a 24-hour fitness center and a full service spa. Dining is offered in the hotel’s 2 restaurants and 2 bars, plus there’s more than 100,000 sq ft of meeting and event space.
Robert’s Restaurant, located inside the hotel, looks fabulous and right up my alley with their focus on “fine dining and signature cocktails in a variety of settings,” but unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to try it.
View from the street…
Some Omni hotels have kid suites. I would like to stay at one of those locations if I was traveling with my whole family.
There were doormen and bellhops available at the entrance and in the lobby. I’ve never stayed at a hotel this nice!
Between the convenience of the location, the superb accommodations, and friendliness of the staff, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. I highly recommend it whether you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with your family.
I also love that our kids (18 years old and younger) can stay free when occupying the parent’s room, using existing bedding. So, we could book double beds to accommodate the kids, for no extra charge.
A few amenities that we didn’t take the time to enjoy are an outdoor heated pool and a spa and fitness center. It wasn’t quite warm enough and I wish it was warmer because the pool area was exquisite. I guess we’ll just have to come back sometime!
What’s close by in Woodley Park?
- Smithsonian’s National Zoo (1 mi)
- George Washington University (2 mi)
- White House (2.3 mi)
- Lincoln Memorial (2.7 mi)
- Ford’s Theater (2.9 mi )
If you’re planning a trip to DC anytime soon, make sure to read all my upcoming Things to Do in Washington DC posts.
For Sunday lunch, on our way back home, we ate at Chili’s Bar & Grill. We used to love eating there when we lived in North Carolina, but we don’t have a location near us in southwest Virginia.
We shared an appetizer of Classic Nachos with Beef. These were topped with 3 cheese-blend, black beans, jalapeños, queso, and a hint of seasoned beef. It was served with house-made pico de gallo & sour cream.
I had the Spicy Shrimp Tacos – “three tacos with spicy chile-lime shrimp topped with house-made cilantro slaw, pico de gallo, sliced avocado, chopped cilantro & queso fresco wrapped in flour tortillas. Served with citrus-chile rice & black beans.” Yum!
My husband ordered the Triple Dipper with Big Mouth® Bites, Buffalo Wings, and Southwestern Eggrolls.
