Enjoying The Suite Life – The Four Seasons Hotel, Washington, DC

When I walked through the quaint streets of Georgetown and entered the marble-floored lobby of the Four Seasons Washington DC, the iconic line from Scandal echoed in the back of my head: “Do you want to be a gladiator in a suit?” As pleasantly surprised as the heroine upon finding out that she had been selected for her dream job at the top political crisis management firm, I found myself falling instantly for the interior and ambience underpinned by a sense of smart sophistication native to the capital city.

Steps from world-leading institutions and historic monuments, the hotel is located at the crossroads of DC’s social and political hubs. I knew I was in good hands from the moment the friendly staff assisted me through a seamless check-in process. The Georgetown Suite, located on the fifth floor, welcomed me with sweeping views of the C&O Canal and Potomac River, quickly releasing my senses from the tethers of travel fatigue. Neutral tones of gray, beige, and white fill the space from wallpapers to bed linens, forming a calming and elegant gradient in juxtaposition. An epitome of the art of compartmentalization, the 1,220-square-foot room is designed in equally elegant fashion. It was effortless for me to set up healthy boundaries with work when there is a door that separates the bedroom and living room. Who says you can’t mix business with pleasure?

Living as a gladiator in a suit means you are no stranger to time zones hopping. Luckily, the in-room dining service is committed to bringing the best of the DC food scene straight to your room. The Revitalizer, made from freshly squeezed green apple, orange, kale, and ginger, replenished my energy like an elixir, and going through my inbox felt way less dreadful when a plate sat right next to me, filled with delicately cooked medium-rare hanger steak, golden sunny-side ups, and steaming breakfast potatoes bathed in chimichurri sauce. For lunch I decided to swing by the Bourbon Steakhouse to meet up with a business partner, and the restaurant, led by the Michelin-starred chef Micheal Mina, truly brings the idea of power lunch to life. The White Gazpacho salad set the scene with Maryland crab tossed in herb oil and toasted marcona almonds, followed by the Connecticut Lobster Roll served with smooth brown butter, which segued into the main act of the show: pristine cuts of American and Japanese beef slow poached and cooked over a seasoned wood-fire grill to a mouthwateringly tender finish. This award-winning chef’s dramatic take on new American cuisine is delightfully delectable.

When the night falls, a gladiator in a suit knows how to unwind with class. After a long day of traipsing around the city, I could not wait another second to sink into the plush armchairs under the leather ceiling at the Georgetown Bar & Lounge, which offers handcrafted gourmet cocktails with tongue-in-cheek names to spice up your night. The wagyu fat-washed Woodinville bourbon and Cocchi Di Torino vermouth-based YOU GOT BEEF?! had as much smoke in its taste as in presentation, while the YOU’RE ON MUTE perfectly harnessed the revitalizing synergy of Ketel One vodka, matcha, and grapefruit in its clear body decorated with floral notes. Last but not least, the BSDC MANHATTAN prepared by the lead bartender, Mr. Engidawork Alebachew, is an experience that should not be missed—if you are as lucky as I was, you might be able to learn firsthand how he pivoted from bioengineering into hospitality while he deployed his mixology magic. When asked what I should try on my next visit, he suggested the Monuments by Moonlight tour, saying with a smirk, “You might have to reserve it three days in advance, but what better way to soak in what this town has to offer than a private two-hour chauffeured tour?”