Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf

Physically, it’s not all that far from Capitol Hill, but in terms of its aesthetics and its atmosphere, the Pendry Washington DC - The Wharf presents a completely different side of the nation’s capital. It’s clear from a glance at its ultra-modern façade that this is no ordinary luxury hotel, and its setting on the waterfront lends it an escapist aspect as well. This, of course, is the sort of thing you can expect from Pendry’s parent company, Montage, a hotel group that’s practically synonymous with luxe-but-hip destination-driven resorts.

Needless to say, the views of the Potomac are some of the city’s finest. The interiors are decorated in a modernist style that’s visibly Parisian-influenced, in keeping with the local custom, and the rooms and suites are both stylish and luxurious, most of them facing the river, all of them equally well suited to business and to leisure.

There’s a substantial spa with a well-equipped gym and a heated outdoor pool, and the nightlife isn’t neglected either — Bar Pendry is the swanky cocktail lounge, and Moonraker, on the rooftop, specializes in sushi and Japanese whiskeys.