New Jefferson Hotel opens after two year renovation

September 1, 2:18 PMDC People & Places ExaminerKate Michael

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The Jefferson Hotel Book Room

"Be polite to all, but intimate with few." - Thomas Jefferson

 You'll find this quote and so many others, as well as original signed documents and recreations of Jefferson's favorite spaces in his home, Monticello, at the newly renovated Jefferson Hotel at 16th and M NW. Two years of intense restoration have finally yielded one of the finest small hotels in the city...and a unique hideaway for those looking to combine comfort, charm and confidentiality.

I dropped in unexpectedly today to explore the private nooks and examine the services and accomodations available. Immediately I felt one of the 'intimate few.' Already a light crowd was lunching in the Greenhouse, a sort of skylight terrace, and meeting spaces - each named after Jefferson's favorite spaces at home - were occupied by twos and threes in small business meetings or friends sitting to tea. The spa, specializing in massages and facials, is open exclusively to hotel guests, (apart from this month, which the helpful concierge tells me is open for the public to experience in September only... and that this is the only place in DC to find and purchase Darphin products (some of my faves!), which are used in Jefferson's spa treatments**).

I'll surely return later to test the handcrafted cocktails at Quill and the Medallions of Berkshire pork at Jefferson's restaurant, Plume. But I'll spend most of my time in the Book Room (pictured), where leatherbound volumes of Washington lore fill the shelves. This may now be my favorite room in Washington!

You may, perhaps, even find me at the Jefferson this evening, because as Thomas Jefferson said, "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today."

**CORRECTION...  The agency handling PR for the Jefferson wrote in to tell us that the spa is NOT open to outside guests for the month of September, but only invited VIPs and guests of the hotel.  Sad!