Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Hay Adams Hotel

This past weekend I attended a wedding at the beautiful and historic Hay Adams Hotel. You may recognize the name for its most recent famous residents: The Obama family before the inauguration. The hotel lies on Lafayette Square across from the White House and also St. John's Episcopal Church, better known as the President's church.The lobby isn't grand but is certainly elegant. A cozy space with beautiful antiques, wood paneling and an ornate ceiling.
The building, constructed in 1928, was designed by Mihran Mesrobian in the Italian Renaissance Style. The hotel derives its name from the 2 houses torn down on the site: John Hay and Henry Adams.The dining room off the lobbyI loved the greek key band on the curtains.
The hotel has a quiet elegance which comes across in these photos and besides: the hotel really is in the ultimate location. It doesn't have 'A' view -it has 'THE' view, especially from the roof deck where we began the evening with cocktails. The White House, Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial in a line.The old Executive Office building which I blogged about this past weekend.St. Johns Episcopal Church
Even their slogan covers the view; "Where nothing is overlooked but the White House"
enjoying the view....and cocktails too......
Official Website of the Hay Adams.

22 comments:

Kwana said...

Oh it does have the view. It's quite elegant and you look wonderful there.

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Thanks, Kwana! it was a lot of fun :-)

Hill Country House Girl said...

I love visiting old hotels with great history. As much as I like some of the fabulous,new hotels there is just something so special about the history and elegance of the old ones. Looks like a great spot for a cocktail!

soodie :: said...

I love the Greek key drapes too.

and the dining room. and the ceilings. and all of it....

Vasudha Narasimhan said...

WOW THIS IS AMAZING....with ur description...I actually felt how it would be to be there in your place on that day....EXCELLENT

Vasudha Narasimhan said...

hey....Belated Happy Birthday....

Beth Connolly said...

Stefan-Great photo of you as well!

pve design said...

What a spectacular view and you look so debonair!

An Aesthete's Lament said...

Have you read the group biography "The Five of Hearts," about John Hay, Henry Adams, and their circle? Wonderful details about the building of their conjoined houses.

CarolAnne - camdesign said...

First, Belated Happy Birthday...loved your flowers nice that the vase is one you can enjoy again and again...
Now...this was a amazing post, I enjoyed it very much..totally amazing view, so cool.
Next...the words...Be the change you want to see in the world!! On your about me...touched me, choked me up, brought a tear to my eyes, that is what we all should be, well said...

Thank you, CAM

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Thank you everyone, it was my first black tie wedding which was fun.
AAL, I'll have to look up that book to add to my list -you're always a good source of reading material suggestions!
C.A. - I feel it's an important mantra to live by!

studioJudith said...

My, my - -
such beautiful photos!
It must have been a very special
wedding.

David said...

The hotel, the view, you in a tux, all very nice!

Unknown said...

Indeed something to view!
Nice shots of you and the surroundings...
Victoria

Abby said...

You're looking very dapper with you black tie attire!

And I love that you go to a fancy wedding and take pictures of the trim on the drapes. It's so nice that I'm not the only one!

Janet said...

Well, hello handsome!

P.S. My parents got engaged at the Hay Adams.

Renée Finberg said...

you look so handsome !!
looks like fun.
x

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Thank you, ladies :-)

La Maison Fou said...

I love the coffered ceilings and the views are spectacular!
Leslie

cotedetexas said...

Handsome! and what views. unbelievable - i mean - look behind you = the White House and the Washington Monument, incredible.

Maureen Stevens said...

the details are magnificent!

Thomas said...

the hay adams hotel is fantastic! i got a chance to stay there (also b/c of a wedding)& it was by far the BEST hotel I had ever stayed. my dad's exact words were "even the water in the shower felt expensive!"

great post!