The Watergate Hotel already made its “infamous” debut in Washington, D.C., in June 2016, but now it unveils The Watergate Scandal Room 214—perfect for groups looking for a taste of political history.
Room 214 quite fittingly debuts on the 45th anniversary of the scandal and continues the hotel’s themes and décor that play on the Watergate scandal. It is the very room that E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy stationed themselves to lead the Watergate break-in team, and is where they kept contact via radio with those involved in the burglary taking place at the Democratic National Committee in the adjacent Watergate Complex. In fact, a Watergate security guard was the person who called the police after noticing suspicious activity.
The room was designed by Lyn Paolo, costume designer for the “Scandal” TV show, and Rakel Cohen, co-owner of the hotel, and includes a wide range of scandal themes and memorabilia. In the entryway, framed newspaper clippings from the time of the break-in line the walls, while a typewriter takes up space on the desk. Of course, the furniture used throughout is reminiscent of the 1970s, and other quirky items such as binoculars and a cassette tape player continue the scandalous theme.
The hotel offers 336 rooms in total, including six diplomat suites, 24 premier suites and two presidential suites. Groups will appreciate the 27,000 sf of meeting space, including 10,000 sf of terraces overlooking the Potomac River. Definitely don’t forget to check out the view from the Top of the Gate rooftop bar and lounge, with 360-degree views of the city. Who knows what scandal you might witness from up there.
