Willard Hotel
First built in 1816 and greatly expanded in 1850, the Willard Hotel soon gained the reputation as the meeting place in Washington for the most influential political men. President Ulysses S. Grant would stop by the Willard every day, spending his time in the lobby drinking and enjoying fine cigars. Soon word got out about his daily ritual and lobbyists flocked to the hotel, hoping to get the president's attention. Guests and employees at the Willard Hotel claim the late president is still enjoying his cigars and drinks in the lobby.
Willard Hotel
1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 628-9100
washington.intercontinental.com/washa/index.shtml
Hay-Adams Hotel
Located directly across the street from the White House, the Hay-Adams Hotel is rich with history and ghosts. John Hays was the assistant to President Lincoln and would later take the office of Secretary of State. Henry Adams was a celebrated author of the time. The pair was quite close, and the hotel is the site where the pair's adjoining homes once sat. Henry's wife, Clover Adams, committed suicide there in 1885, in her favorite place---her home. Clover watches over the hotel; she is spotted most often on the fourth floor.
Hay-Adams Hotel
16th and H Sts.
Washington DC 20004
(202) 638-6600
hayadams.com/
Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
Opening in 1925, the hotel quickly became a social hub of the area. The hotel has hosted every inaugural ball from President Coolidge's to President Reagan's. Its guest of honor did not attend the first ball; Coolidge was mourning the death of this son in 1925 during the time his ball took place. The ball proceeded without him.
Ever since 1937, on January 20 of each year, the grand ballroom lights flicker exactly at 10 o'clock, as if to announce the first guests. Each night after the ghostly ball takes place the hotel staff always finds a plate of hors d'oevres and a glass of wine on the Grand Ballroom's balcony. None of the staff had made up that plate, or poured that glass of wine. One of the elevators sticks on the eighth floor, where the ballroom is located, until 10:15 p.m., the time when Coolidge would have arrived at the ballroom. Is President Coolidge finally attending the ball that he missed?
Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
1127 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington DC 20036
(202) 347-3000
marriott.com/hotels/travel/wassh-renaissance-mayflower-hotel/
