The Graham Georgetown

This hotel is nice enough and clean but we had NO HOT WATER! The front desk staff acknowledged the problem but offered no solutions. They did nothing to remedy the situation — no monetary compensation — no offer to give us a different room (the hot water was working in some sections of the hotel) and they flat out refused a late check out so that we could allow time for the hot water to be repaired. They just said that they were sorry and laughed it off like it was no big deal. I consider hot water an absolute basic hotel amenity. I would not stay here again more for their bad attitude than for the water problem.

After our flight home was cancelled (during a layover at Dulles), we needed to find a place for our family to stay for two nights. We found the Graham on Unilocal,and we’re glad we stayed there. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, the décor was nice, and the hotel was clean and well-​kept. Also, the location is great — easy to walk throughout Georgetown, along the Potomac, and even to the National Mall. Highly recommended.

Great rooftop bar with a nice view of georgetown. However, the drink were very watered down. I would stick with the wine

I want to really give this place additional stars… But I CANNOT! My bill for a rooftop venue was screwed up by $ 900.00 dollars and my engagement day plans went so so, they could have been A LOT better… I wish I could give this place another try but based on the overall reviews below, I’d say they are pretty consistent with the lack of.

Although the scenery is quite beautiful and the music was delightful, my friends and I had a horribly embarrassing time. Celebrating a birthday four of us arrived around 4 pm Sunday to an empty rooftop terrace and after grabbing drinks from the bar were told by a bartender that we could sit anywhere. We let the bartender know we were in a group of 10 and the others would be joining us shortly. We sat down with our drinks and waited for our friends. 5 Minutes later the remainder of our party joined us and attempted to sit with us in a small section of patio couches. The bartender immediately told everyone you can’t sit there anymore we have reservations for each table. Did I mention we are BLACK! To our surprise the bartender became very uncomfortable when a group of blacks wanted to enjoy the rooftop Terrace. We were all dressed the part and had intentions to have a relaxing evening with close friends. He told us that he has reservations starting at 6pm. At that moment it was 4:30pm and we said «ok we can move before your reservations come». He rudely told us «that’s just not going to work». At this point the few other patrons watched as he embarrassed us and other staff members awkwardly witnessed. It was clearly very racist and I am not one to call every bad encounter a racist one. We then sought the manager of duty and he reassured us that we could sit and he attempted to fix the situation. We then decided to get bottle service and entertained each other for another hour and a half. And no other reservation showed up. How convenient.

3.5 stars for the rooftop bar on a beautiful Friday night. We arrived around 10 pm and it was crowded but not all up on your face crowded. The cocktails were close to $ 15 each with tip, kinda expected for this area. The rooftop view is amazing, and there’s a few nooks you can squeeze into so that you’re not getting ran over by the staff. Staff– rude, like dude, if you’re waiting on tables say excuse me if you want to pass, it takes less than 1 second, rather than barging your way through me. We went here for a girls night so didn’t pay that much attention to the crowd, but it was nice that no one was crazy obnoxious or anything. A few cons are the bathroom line and waiting in line to ride the 1 elevator. I would just chose not to break the seal until you’re leaving, there are bathrooms in the lobby downstairs as well but they too are singles so you’ll have to wait.

This is not a business hotel. I could see it being fun for a girls trip, but the club-​y atmosphere at the door (complete with velvet rope on some nights) thanks to the roofdeck bar was the last thing I wanted to deal with after returning home at 1 am after 16+ hours of work. We stayed here for several weeks, but at the end of our stay, the staff was no closer to recognizing us and we still got stopped by the «bouncer» every time we entered the hotel. A colleague and I did go up to the roofdeck bar to check it out and it was nice in a scene-​y way — nice view of DC with kind of a Miami vibe and a strange mix of people that made for great people-​watching. Drinks were super expensive.
The rooms were pretty nice. Beds were super comfortable. I didn’t interact much with housekeeping but have no complaints about them. I did find it odd that every time I returned home my TV (which had previously been off) was turned on to the weather channel (on mute) and there was classical music blasting from the alarm clock radio. I also suspect that they changed my towels every day, despite me regularly leaving them hanging on the rack and not on the floor (the signal for «don’t replace the towel» according to their conservation sign).
There is free wifi and it worked decently well (strangely it worked really well at the foot of the bed but not at the head of the bed). They also have a «high speed wifi» for $ 10 a day and I did not like that that was the default when you logged on, you had to affirmatively select the free option.

Toss the keys to the Bentley at the valet, and head up to the rooftop lounge for some Chateauneuf du Pape and one of the best sunsets in DC. Cigars are not just tolerated, but encouraged.

Last Saturday evening, 3 of my friends and I were invited to a birthday gathering at the Graham’s rooftop hotel bar. We arrived, dressed Georgetown chic, which is posted on the website, and yet were denied entrance because one gentlemen in our party had on expensive new Sandals. Apparently, women can wear sandals, but men cannot. Apparently, it is left to the discretion of the Observatory host, who saw fit to not allow us to enter even though they had let another friend of ours in earlier wearing flip flops. I suppose if we were in shorts or dressed like we had come from the gym then I would understand, but clearly their dress policy is written so that the little clerk at the front door can decide based on what ever criteria he chooses whether or not you are allowed to enter or not. Sadly, we didn’t make the cut…
DC is a big city and there are other less pretentious places that offer a great view and good drinks minus the snobby attitude. In any event, we have other places to go and the people we speak to we are happy to share our distaste for this hotel.

Super snobby at the door. Came here for drinks as part of DC passport program. Dressed in khakis and polo and dress sandals. Doorman refused entry saying dress code was no sports wear and no flip flops. Wasnt wearing either of those and no where on passport program or website did I see dress code info. So many nicer non pretentious places in area. Try 4 Seasons instead.

Well, the rooftop bar is lovely. I was there for an event and enjoyed the views. Unfortunately the bar tenders decided to tip themselves a greater amount than I authorized. After signing a receipt for one amount I saw a different (much higher) amount on my bank statement. Still waiting for accounting to get back to me. Make sure you keep your receipts or pay cash if you go!!!

This place rocks. Thank you Unilocal for pointing it out. Views views views and great service. Good place to cool off too. Great looking crowd, a tad pricey but fun.

Cocktails in The Alex… I don’t remember the name of this one but it has run and egg white. I said the same thing but it was delish with a bit of citrus. It’s a signature drink. Ask about it! The appetizers were good. Sliders, shrimp brushetta, traVis etc. Bartenders attentive and ambience nice!

Couldn’t be more impressed. Intended to go to the rye bar in a neighboring hotel, but due to the packed bar the doorman suggested this. Wonderful atmosphere, quiet surroundings and very small. Everything I was looking for.

Unfortunately we had a rather unpleasant stay. The biggest issue was based on a misunderstanding event, with a manager who has no concept of hospitality and did not listen to what hotel guests had to say. The outcome was a unnecessarily painful one.
We were accused with smoking in the the room and had to pay a fine of 500.00 USD plus tax. The truth is WE DID NOT SMOKE IN THE ROOM.
We were traveling with a family member visiting from Asia who is a smoker and carries a small metal box for cigarette butts throughout the day while we were out. The thing did happen was that one morning my family member cleaned out his cigarette butt metal box into the garbage can in the bathroom.
After we learned this shocking news that we received a 500.00 USD fine, we tried to explain to the housing manager Olena, she simply dismissed our explanation and said the fine will stay on the bill and then she went over all the items that need to be clean in the room. Logically a bunch cigarette butts will have some smell, not to the point that the entire room gets polluted, and especially in this case NO ONE SMOKE IN THE ROOM. No matter what we said, Olena did not listen to the truth we offered.
Paying for mistakes that you did not do is unfair.
Being accused for things that you did not do is an insult… We had no idea our little vacation in DC turned out this way, our guest was mortified, just because of some misunderstanding happened and an individual’s inadequacy at The Graham.

From the day I made my reservation (two days ago) to today at check in, everything about this hotel is 5 Star.
I spoke to Jackie on the phone and Abdoullah was there today, all excellent.
My room and bathroom are immaculate, and they explain that if one is too hot, they may open a window.
The room has free low bandwidth internet, and the amenities are L’Occitaine.
This is a very nice boutique hotel, in a very nice area of DC.
I recommend this highly.

Overall, I was happy with this hotel. Good price (through Jetsetter), nice room and friendly, helpful staff. My room had two lights which didn’t work, and the one for the closet made a difference.

So I realllllly wanted to love the Graham and, to be clear, my stay and the rooftop bar were both amazing. However, I was very disappointed when I found an erroneous charge to my account. I called the hotel to dispute the claim and the woman said she would talk to her manager… I never heard back and ended up having to formally dispute the charge with Bank of America.
First, the accommodations are great for DC. My room was spacious and clean. My room included a large separate living area, a large bathroom with a huge walk-​in shower and double sinks, and a bedroom with a large king-​sized bed. The bed was extremely comfortable and I slept better at the Graham than I have in many other hotels.
Second, the roof top bar is fantastic. The atmosphere is very laid-​back and it is so nice to hang out on the roof after a long day. Drinks are pricey but certainly not outrageous for a hotel in DC ($ 16.50 for a margarita with Patron).
Honestly, I was ready to write a rave review for the Graham, but the erroneous mini-​bar charge (I didn’t even know there was a mini-​bar in the room) really left a sour taste in my mouth. I might stay here again just to give them another chance, but I definitely will scrutinize carefully my bill!

The Graham is a nice rooftop bar. I haven’t been to any other rooftop bars in DC to compare it to, but lets talk a trip down memory lane to recall my first two visits here. First time my girlfriend and I went midday on the weekend. It was pretty nice. My girlfriend and I were dressed pretty casual (I mention that for a reason later explained). They had drink specials. Let us have a couch. It was a nice mid-​day place to chill.
Fast forward to last friday. My friends and I went to some spots in Arlington, then made our way to The Graham. Now I just came from work, went to Whitlows in Arlington. I wasn’t dressed trashy or anything. I had a polo ralph lauren hoodie on, come khaki shorts and some vans. Like I said I just got off work and went to a college scene type rooftop bar in Arlington. Upon approaching the Graham… automatically stopped. My friend tells the bouncer, hey were good. We come here all the time, we’ll even buy a bottle and get a couch can we get in. Most of our group was dressed casual as well. I get it, its a nice place, you can’t come up in there looking any type of way. I GET IT. However when the guy looked at me, he sorta had a look of disgust and said «ahh jesus man i don’t know» «He can come in but he’ll have to take off the hoodie». I have a hanes teeshirt on… why the heck would you want to send somebody in your hotel with just a hanes tee… don’t understand that. Anyways it ended up being a good night. Left there and went to a french restaurant (look out for that review! its great!) Overall my experience of this place is meh… atmosphere is good… service… meh. Normally I bring a change of clothes when i go to places like that. To see if they’ll let me in, then when they tell me no… I can just go to my car, put on my Michael Kors tailored suit and give them that «don’t judge a book by its cover» look. Thats my rant for the day.

This is review is for the Hotel, not the rooftop bar or restaurant — both of those well worth your time; staff, ambience, food, drinks, views — ALL superb!
I would not recommend related to surprisingly rude staff and dismal customer service. We spent three nights in Washington for a graduation weekend with over 20 other people. A lack of communication with our host who had reserved a large block of rooms caused The Graham Hotel to charge us for a one-​night No Show fee, which is the full cost of room. We went ahead and checked in so that we could be with our group, and purchased a total of three additional nights amongst our family. Our larger group had approximately 10 rooms all staying 3 nights. So with at least 33 room nights purchased, not to mention a private roof top party and private restaurant dinner — they WOULD NOT BEND on reversing a charge for a single missed night. Besides the principle of it, the attitude was bizarre and as far from gracious and appreciative of the business that I have ever dealt with.
Because of the size of the group some people were staying in rooms that advertised Roll Away beds, but then the hotel stated that they had no linens for those beds., and it was a scramble in the wee hours of the morning to find a way to get beds made. In addition several of the rooms had no working Air Conditioning; the dial for my Son’s AC was literally shards of plastic and there was no way to turn it on.
The final insult was that on check out day, after staying for two nights and a DO NOT DISTURB plaque on the door — housekeeping staff attempted to enter my room at 7:45am, 8:30am and again at 9. CHECK OUT is supposedly 11 — but again, it seems once they have your credit card, you are far from a «guest» at the Graham Hotel.
The Pros of the Graham are the perfect Georgetown location, the rooftop bar and restaurant staff.
I won’t be back, and I would not recommend any group events at this hotel.