Few addresses in Washington, D.C. have shaped the city’s social and cultural life with the quiet authority of The St. Regis Washington, D.C. For nearly a century, the storied hotel, just steps from the White House, has welcomed presidents, diplomats, artists, and discerning travelers. In 2026, the legendary property celebrates its centennial, marking one hundred years of hospitality defined by elegance, impeccable service, and timeless glamour.
The hotel’s story begins on October 1, 1926, when Washington developer Henry Wardman opened the Carlton Hotel with ambitions to rival Europe’s finest establishments. President Calvin Coolidge attended the opening celebration, signaling the arrival of a new center of social and political life in the capital. Within a decade, the Carlton had become a hub of influence, its lobby a place where policymakers mingled with Hollywood icons and business leaders.
Over the decades, the hotel witnessed moments that shaped the national narrative. During World War II, industrialist Howard Hughes maintained a permanent suite, famously offering it to servicemen during his absences. In 1949, the property hosted the first public demonstration of color television presented by CBS to the Federal Communications Commission. By mid century, the Carlton, later renamed the Sheraton Carlton, had become one of Washington’s most revered landmarks, attracting figures such as Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and visiting world leaders.
In 1999, the property entered a new chapter when it became The St. Regis Washington, D.C., bringing the brand’s celebrated traditions, including its signature Butler Service, to the capital. Today, with 182 elegantly renovated guest rooms and suites, the hotel continues to embody the cultivated luxury that defined its earliest years while offering a refined residential experience in the heart of the city.
The centennial year has also earned the hotel induction into Historic Hotels of America, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s program recognizing the nation’s most exceptional historic properties. The distinction affirms the hotel’s enduring place in Washington’s architectural and cultural fabric.
Throughout 2026, guests are invited to celebrate through a series of curated experiences honoring both legacy and innovation. Among the most enchanting is the seasonal Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea, a refined nod to Washington’s beloved spring tradition.
Served in the hotel’s grand lobby lounge, the tea features a selection of Dammann Frères teas, delicate tea sandwiches, handcrafted pastries, and freshly baked scones inspired by the season. Floral notes drawn from the city’s cherry blossoms lend the experience a distinctly Washington character, while optional Champagne pairings add a celebratory flourish.
The hotel’s Astor Terrace will also transform into the Caroline Astor Rose Garden, honoring the legendary Gilded Age hostess whose love of elegant entertaining shaped the St. Regis legacy. Additional highlights include a rotating Bloody Mary menu at the St. Regis Bar and a revived Alhambra Anniversary Menu featuring classic dishes served at the hotel over the past century.
The year will culminate in a Midnight Supper inspired by Caroline Astor’s famed late night soirées, an opulent tribute to a century of hospitality and refined entertaining, echoing the grand traditions that defined Washington society throughout the twentieth century.
Through eras of political change and cultural transformation, The St. Regis Washington, D.C. has remained a constant, an address where history unfolds beneath chandeliers and polished marble. One hundred years on, it continues to welcome the world with timeless elegance, thoughtful service, and a legacy that defines hospitality in the nation’s capital.
202.638.2626 | 923 16th St NW, Washington, DC