There’s so much to look forward to come springtime, which offically starts on March 19. The air, at long last, has warmed up a bit. There’s more sunlight to enjoy, and people, for the most part, are in a brighter mood as well.
But one destination, in particular, embraces these seasonal changes in a remarkably enchanting way. From late March through early April, approximately 3,800 cherry trees dust Washington, D.C. in exquisite shades of pink. This natural occurance draws in over 1.5 million people annually, and is commemorated with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, being held this year between March 20 through April 14.
While most hotels in town are offering special activations for the highly anticipated event, few are celebrating it more extravagantly than Waldorf Astoria Washington DC. Unveiled in the summer of 2022, this modern grande dame taking up residence in the former Old Post Office Building offers a posh stay merging history with contemporary comforts.
Beyond the 263 guest rooms and suites—which are all uniquely configured to honor the landmarked structure—it’s the glass-enclosed, sky-scraping atrium that’s the hotel’s most notable feature. “You can stay here all day, and have different experiences as the sunlight changes the mood,” comments General Manager Senih Geray. “This is a one-stop shop for business meetings to social gatherings.”
Through June, long after the cherry blossoms have passed, the Waldorf Astoria is offering a Cherry Blossom Unforgettable Memories Package, available for bookings of two nights or longer. In addition to spacious accommodations dripping in old-world elegance, guests will be pampered with an indulgent cherry blossom tea experience.
Served in the grand atrium—which has been transformed into a whimsical wonderland displaying a 19-foot tall replica of a cherry blossom tree, mini blossoms framing Peacock Alley’s bar, and local figurative artist Claire Sharp’s colorful pieces, which are available for sale—the afternoon tea is offered Fridays through Sundays with seatings between noon and 2:00 p.m and a live harpist to make the surroundings even more dreamy. As you’d expect: there’s plenty of pink and cherry-themed nibbles such as Cherry Orange scones, Smoked Salmon Pinwheels, and Cherry Pistachio Financiers to tuck into. (Even the classic three-tier stand is decorated with pretty florals.) Though the selection of ethically-sourced TeaLeaves is well-rounded, why not complete the themed afternoon with the Cherry Blossom tea, a grassy Sencha infused with hints of sweet cherry?
The Waldorf Astoria might not be the closest luxury property to the Tidal Basin, where crowds swarm to peep the cherry blossoms, but it’s a pleasant thirty-minute walk away—even shorter if you hop on a Citi Bike. Other major attractions, including many Smithsonian museums, are even closer. Plus, no other hotel in D.C. has a historic attraction—the clock tower offers truly heartstopping views of the nation’s capital—built right in. “It’s wonderful for children and history buffs,” says Geray. After a long day of exploration, unwind at the hotel’s Bazaar by José Andrés, where a cherry blossom-themed cocktail blending Takamine 8 Year Koji Japanese Whisky, Yamamoto shrub, and sherry await.
