Salamander Washington DC, offers an elegant retreat along the Southwest waterfront. This urban oasis is ideally situated steps from the National Mall, The Wharf, and the Jefferson Memorial and blends contemporary sophistication with the warmth of Salamander’s signature hospitality.
Taking over for the Mandarin Oriental in the fall of 2022, Salamander transformed the 373-room hotel and now features a stunning new lobby and lounge, elevated guest suites and a vibrant terrace overlooking the Washington Marina. Dōgon, the acclaimed restaurant by Chef Kwame Onwuachi, showcases Afro-Caribbean flavors in an immersive dining experience, while the renowned Salamander Spa provides a serene escape. Salamander Washington DC, sets a new standard for hospitality in the capital with a seamless balance of timeless design and modern luxury.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Towering nine stories above the water, the hotel’s neoclassical architecture reflects the original plans intended for Washington, dating back to the 1700s. And with a limestone façade and ornate columns, it stands out against nearby government buildings.
- The sizable rooms and suites have custom-built furniture, deep-soaking tubs and touch-pad lighting controls. Many afford unbeatable views of the waterfront, Jefferson Memorial and cherry blossoms, if you happen to travel at the right time to catch sight of these precious buds.
- Salamander Washington DC’s signature restaurant, Dōgon, brings an immersive AfroCaribbean dining experience to the nation’s capital. Led by acclaimed chef Kwame Onwuachi, Dōgon celebrates bold flavors and culinary storytelling in an elegant, artfully designed space. The hotel’s sophisticated lobby-level Lounge offers all-day culinary offerings curated by executive Chef Walter Alvarado.
- Spanning two floors at 10,000 square feet, Salamander Spa is one of the city’s largest spas, with 14 serene treatment rooms and steam, sauna and the hotel’s 40-foot heated indoor pool. Book the Gold and Glow massage for an indulgent treatment fit for royalty that promises to leave your skin soft and shimmering. Even if you can’t fit in a service, hotel guests can use the fitness center and indoor pool for free.
- For a respite from the crowds that gather in D.C. on the weekends, reserve a spot for afternoon tea at the Lounge, where you’ll find a seasonal selection of premium teas, handcrafted pastries and savory delights to enjoy in the elegant lounge overlooking the tranquil Grand Lawn and Washington Marina.
Things to Know
- Salamander’s activity calendar is quite robust. Whether it’s a D.C. music festival or buzzy sporting event, the hotel often finds a way to tie in a themed afternoon tea, live entertainment or some other cultural activation.
- This is the only luxury hotel on the Tidal Basin. For locals, this means the hotel is an intimate getaway set apart from the hubbub of the city. For tourists, it’s an easy walk to the Smithsonian museums and monuments.
- The property plays host to one of the D.C. area’s largest event spaces, a 4,000-square-foot grand lawn that overlooks the water.
The Rooms
- The recently enhanced rooms and suites at Salamander DC, thoughtfully redesigned by Thomas Pheasant Studio, exude an effortless blend of modern elegance and residential warmth. These beautifully appointed spaces offer a serene, sophisticated retreat.
- Salamander DC’s 373 guest rooms feature separate walk-in showers and deep soaking bathtubs, a large table with comfortable seating for two, and luxurious in-room amenities, including flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges and premium bath products.
- Accommodations offer views of the Southwest Waterfront, the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument. Select accommodations also offer enchanting balconies.
- The refurbished 51 Signature, One Bedroom and Studio Suites boast ample natural light soothing, neutral tones complimented by modern touches and amenities like Nespresso coffee machines.
The Restaurants
- At the buzzy DŌGON, chef Kwame Onwuachi's menu draws upon Nigerian, Jamaican, Trinidadian and Creole culinary traditions to create vibrant, inspired dishes, such as a piri piri salad with a garlic and chili-spiked papaya sauce and Caribbean-style oxtails served with coconut-infused rice.
- Enjoy bites like miniature crab cakes and creative cocktails in the elegant lobby lounge or alfresco on the lounge's picturesque terrace overlooking the Washington Marina.
- The seasonal afternoon tea features sweet and savory delights curated by the talented executive chef Walter Alvarado and pastry sous chef Leanne Wood.
Amenities
24-hour room service 
Bar
Gym
Indoor pool
Meeting rooms
Pet friendly
Restaurants
Spa
Getting There
Salamander Washington DC
