The Madison has an atmosphere that is fast-paced and urban. Attentive butlers man the front doors, greeting guests—including many business travelers—whom they seem to know by face or name. Most guests we spied during a recent visit were on cell phones, pacing in a lobby whose design is contemporary and masculine. As befits the name, portraits of President James Madison are on display, and the hotel restaurant, Palette, serves a signature cocktail named the Dolly (a mix of gin, green tea, basil, and lime juice). Just beyond the hotel entrance is a winding staircase that John and Jacqueline Kennedy walked down at the Madison’s grand opening in 1963.
Guests rooms also have a clean-lined, masculine feel, with touches of cityscape artwork. Not frilly or extravagant, the space has more of a no-nonsense vibe.
Postscript, the bar/lounge, is a post-work, nightcap kind of place. Dark, wooden, and sophisticated, it specializes in scotches and bourbons. The hotel also offers a complimentary beverage to its guests each evening.
Amenities include a heated towel rack, iron and ironing board, 300-thread-count sheets, a 24-hour fitness center, sauna and steam room, spa with massage services, 24-hour business center, conference and meeting facilities, 24-hour in-room dining.
The hotel welcomes kids and is pet-friendly. Check out the Loews Loves Kids and Pets programs.
Things nearby include Logan Circle, Theater J, Studio Theatre, National Jewish Museum, National Geographic Museum, DC Convention Center, National Museum of Women in the Arts, Historical Society of DC, Renwick Gallery, Decatur House Museum, the White House, and the US Treasury Department.
