Description: St. James gives the appearance of having been there since the founding fathers planted their exquisitely considered stakes in this city… or at least since the 1930's. But in reality it is relatively new to the Washington hotel scene which gives it some other distinctively noteworthy amenities, the least of which is handicap accessibility and all suite rooms. There are eleven suites in the hotel specifically designed for wheelchair access and even some with roll in showers.
Tucked charmingly into a row of townhouses in the Georgetown neighborhood just steps from the Foggy Bottom Metro stop which accesses the University of the same name, St. James Suites delivers much more than the unassuming exterior would lead you to believe.
The lobby is small and cozy, detailed with marble floors, fresh flowers and brass railings along with that all-important handicap ramp to the second level concierge desk. There you will find an attentive staff eager to answer your questions and make you feel immediately at home. Around the corner is an attractively appointed dining area where complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning.
Our fifth floor suite included a separate living room and fully furnished kitchen along with another king sized bedroom and marble bath. I really hadn't planned on using the kitchen during our visit but by day three we felt so much at home that the family convinced me to make my special omelets and pancakes one morning for breakfast. The little convenience store a few doors down made collecting the ingredients a snap. The concierge will also be glad to bring you staples should you so desire.
The temperature was too chilly during our visit to use the outdoor pool, but I checked it out along with the health club. Both seemed perfectly accommodating to anyone looking to get a bit of sun or exercise. But walking all over the city, six blocks to the White House, eight to the Smithsonian and who knows how many from the Capitol to the Washington Monument, the Lincoln memorial to the Mall again, I felt that our workout was accomplished by the end of the day as we took the Metro "home" again. I would stay at the St. James Suites again, though there are so many terrific hotels, much more grand and historic than this, in the city because I liked that come back to that homey feeling at the end of the jam-packed day. Apparently there are many others who share this feeling since the St. James is popular with many guests who book the suite for a month at a time.
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