Historic Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington DC
Leading Accommodations Within Sight of the White House
Jan 2, 2009
The Hay-Adams Hotel is going to be the Washington D.C. home for President Elect Barack Obama and his family as they prepare move into the House later in January. According to news reports, the Obama family will live at Hay-Adams until January 15, when they will move into the Blair House, which is the official state guest house of the President of the United States.
Hay-Adams Hotel is one of the prestigious historic hotels in Washington DC. Located within view of the White House, Hay Adams is a member of Historic Hotels of America. The hotel is located just minutes from Washington establishments including the Capitol Building, Washington Monument, Smithsonian and the Mall.
Hay-Adams Hotel History
Hay-Adams Hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America National Trust for Historic Preservation. According to the Historic Hotels of America website, the classic hotel was built on the site that was originally built as adjoining homes for two members of Washington high society: John Hay and Henry Adams.
John Hays was the private assistant to President Abraham Lincoln and later the Secretary of State. Henry Adams was an acclaimed author and a descendant of United States President John Adams and John Quincy Adams.
John Hay and his wife Clara were close friends with John Adams and his wife Clover. The homes of the two couples became Washington’s leading salon for the elite of society. The couples entertained lavishly and reigned over Washington society.
Ownership of the Hay house passed to their daughter Alice Wadsworth and her husband Senator James Wadsworth in 1914. After John Adams passed away in 1918 the Wadsworths purchased the Adams house.
In 1927 Washington developer Harry Wardman purchased and razed both home to build a 138 room Italian Renaissance style apartment hotel with dazzling architectural elements
Hay-Adams House opened in 1928 and drew prominent Washingtonians and high society. Celebrity guests in the early days included Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Ethel Barrymore and Sinclair Lewis.
Hay-Adam a Haunted Hotel?
Adding to the mystique of the grand hotel is the ghost story of Clover Adams, who is said to linger at the site where she allegedly committed suicide in 1885. Hotel staff has reported that Clover’s favorite place in the Hay -Adams is the fourth floor of the hotel.
Hay-Adams Hotel Today
Hay-Adams Hotel was closed for a $20 million renovation in 2001 and re-emerged in 2002 as stunningly reopened with distinctive luxury features and a unique Washington DC ambiance.
There are three restaurants at the Hay Adams: The Lafayette, Off the Record and Private Dining.
Hay-Adams Hotel is located at 800 16th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006 USA 1-800-853-6807.
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