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Washington D.C. - Part 1
Written by: Dominick A. Miserandino
Photography by: Margherita Miserandino
A little bit of touring and a lot of different experiences.
We had visited Washington, D.C. before, but there is always something new to do or something you just haven’t yet had any time to see in previous visits. We are convinced that you can spend a full week in D.C. and not see everything there is to do in our capital. The museums alone would take up most of that time, even if you don’t leave the area around the National Mall. For this trip we decided to visit a relatively new museum and try some different very pampering experiences. Instead of the traditional tourist angle, we were going to see Washington D.C. in a different light.
Our pampering started with a stay at the Madison Hotel, which is one of those hotels that nearly everybody in D.C. has heard of. It’s also the type of hotel that seems to elicit reactions of eyebrow-raising and some degree of respect. Most of this esteem seems to come from hotel’s history and the clientele. Since opening in 1963, the Madison has hosted every U.S. President, plus a lengthy list of political dignitaries.
The décor in the rooms and throughout the hotel simply adds to this feeling, as the Madison has the sort of furniture you would die to have in your house. Simply put, it’s elegant. Some hotels can be complimented on how clean, nice, and pretty they are, but the standards here go well past that. In a way, the Madison has the elegance of Dolly Madison’s 18th century charm, right in the middle of our nation’s capital.
The staff there pays great attention to detail. Don’t worry if you forget your cell phone charger; they have a collection of them from which you can borrow. Every room has four pillows of different sizes and a neck-roll pillow on top of a 400-thread count Frette duvet. The bathrooms are appointed with heated towel racks. There is nothing like a warm towel when you get out of the shower.
This all said, to spice things up they’ve introduced some new “First Ladies” packages that have highlights like horseback riding, tickets to the Kennedy Center and an evening limousine monument tour. We tried the monument tour, which is unique to say the least. Seeing the monuments during the day isn’t half as dramatic as seeing them completely illuminated. The driver pretty much took us to see anything we wanted. It was a cold rainy night so having the extra comfort of being able to make our own itinerary was great.
In the Madison, there are two main restaurants, each one the polar opposite of the other, and as an odd coincidence, each is located across the lobby from the other. The Federalist restaurant looks as if it had been decorated by Dolly Madison. The fare is American, except we ordered eggs benedict for brunch, which might go against that patriotic ambiance. On Sundays they have a great jazz brunch, which with its music and high quality fare makes an incredibly good deal.
W should also mention the hotel’s other eating place, which was the Federalist’s polar opposite. That is the Palette Restaurant, and it is a refreshing treat to dine there, as it serves foods which you are nearly guaranteed never to have eaten elsewhere. Nearly every one of the menu items was unlike anything we’ve ever seen. How often do you get the chance to eat Arctic Char or Hawaiian Opa? The Palette was definitely a culinary experience we truly enjoyed, as it gave a welcome change from the usual. Considering the restaurants, the packages and the atmosphere, the Madison has successfully merged the old style, elegance and charm of the Madison era with the modern.
Our pampering continued at The Sports Club/LA— health clubs do not get any more luxurious than this. Among its members are long list of celebrities, such as Michael Jordan, Mia Hamm, Larry King, and Chris Rock. Besides having the most modern gym equipment with a large variety of computerized cardiovascular equipment, it also has many extras, including a flexibility/balance center. The club also offers a variety of group exercise classes you won’t find elsewhere— like the Face Val-U program which exercises your face! The club even has a sundeck with a waterfall.
Part 1
Part 2
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