A hotel recycled

I booked the Ritz Carlton, Georgetown, Washington, DC before seeing a photo. We had primarily chosen the hotel as our "base of operations" for a girl's weekend away, because of its location. The Georgetown neighborhood, right by the Potomac river, has charming, cobblestone streets with great little shops and cafes to wander around.  Secondly, the hotel has high thread count sheets, important to my friend Sarah. Thirdly, I got a cut rate price on the suite the four of us would share, very important to me. I do like a deal.

It turns out the hotel is a former City Industrial Incineration plant. Um. Really? I'm not sure that's what we had in mind? No. Seriously. Really?

I kind of would've like to have been in the meeting when the clever person with the incredible imagination first pitched that idea. I wonder if they laughed them out of the room at first, or if they embraced the idea immediately. But, I digress.

It turns out it's very cool. Having completely gutted and redesigned the space, the hotel opened in 1999. The architects did a brilliant job of maintaining the original integrity of the building, while providing all the luxurious touches for which the Ritz Carlton Group is renowned.

The hotel lobby is modern and airy and light, with black industrial staircase and exposed brick walls. There are stunning arrangements of orchids and it's furnished in chic, minimalist style - but homey, not austere. Believe me, there's a very comfy sofa right in front of a roaring log fire that's a great spot from which to enjoy a pre dinner Champagne cocktail, and post dinner Baileys, or two...

...and on which to relax and chat and laugh/snort very loudly with your friends. 

I would definitely recommend it and stay there again if I'm back in DC.