From east to west, hotels get major renovations to lure holiday visitors

The Willard InterContinental is celebrating its 200th anniversary with an $18 million renovation. All 335 guestrooms and suites were revamped over six months. Because the Willard is a historic property, Parker-Torres Design had to blend traditional and contemporary elements.   “Our most important objective was to respect the history of this Grand Dame hotel,” says Miriam Torres, principal at Parker-Torres Design. Nicknamed the “Residence of Presidents,” the hotel has some of the largest guest rooms in the city, ranging from 375 square feet to 3,000 square feet. Rooms have a color scheme of blue, ivory and grey accented with gold. The 41 suites have a neutral palette of cream, beige, tan, silver, and gold accented with red.  Bathrooms have been modernized with walk-in marble showers. In-room technology has improved with a new electronic lock system, complimentary Wi-Fi and furniture with power outlets and USB charging ports. The Willard has an extensive collection of vintage furniture in its guest rooms, and 115 of those pieces have been re-upholstered. The rooms also have newly commissioned watercolor paintings of the property and its architectural details. Common areas such as Round Robin Bar and Café du Parc have been spruced up. Café du Parc also opened a new private dining area, Pershing Room. “For 200 years, The Willard has welcomed U.S. presidents, foreign dignitaries, and celebrities, as well as has been the site of many historic moments," says general manager Markus Platzer. "The Willard is more than a hotel. It’s a living, breathing piece of history. It’s an iconic institution.”