VUE

By Rosy Alvarez Conveniently located in the heart of D.C.'s most popular attractions, e Madison Hotel stands out for its bold blend of classical and glamorous style and its cozy amenities. Mere blocks away from the National Mall sits e Madison Hotel, a legacy hotel that has hosted many dignitaries since former President John F. Kennedy offi cially opened it in 1963. Known as D.C.'s fi rst modern luxury hotel, e Madison can best be described as a contemporary colonial hotel with 356 rooms, including 60 suites (38 suites and 22 junior suites). It is also Marriott property which means it qualifi es as part of the Marriott Bonvoy Rewards program. For Marriott Bonvoy Elite members, e Madison's newly renovated lounge, Club Madison, off ers a private alcove to dine, work, or relax. Members are off ered complimentary breakfast from 6:30 – 10 a.m., including coff ee, eggs, and assorted hot breakfast options, fruit, yogurt, and pastries. From 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Club Madison will serve hors d'oeuvres, such as crab cake sliders, light desserts, beer, and wine. Upon entering, guests are greeted with a lobby clad from fl oor to ceiling in velvet, marble, and brass. is theme continues through to the lobby bar, e Lady Madison or Lady M, which features a backlit bar and marble countertop with brass accents. Here the bartender cra s a signature tequila and is stocked with a variety of wines and beers. e bartender can also cra a specialty featured cocktail, making sure to keep the spirits fl owing from 4 pm to 11 pm. e corridor and sitting areas off er a mix of midcentury whimsy and art deco-inspired wall paneling. From the fi rst impression, the decor announces elevated glam. Rooms are available in several sizes and layouts to accommodate any need. Junior Suites are spacious yet still cozy to come back to a er a long day of touring the city. e best spot for a grab-and-go breakfast is found on-site at e Marketplace. ere is also on-site dining where guests can visit Lady Madison and indulge in coconut shrimp appetizers, Cedar-Plank salmon which is topped with a pineapple- cucumber relish, and end with a classic raspberry and vanilla New York style cheesecake. Many highlights of the city are accessible on foot to guests of e Madison, starting with the White House, located just three blocks from the hotel. From there, guests can wander the Penn Quarter neighborhood and visit Ford's eater, the site of the assassination of President Lincoln, pass through Chinatown and Capital One Arena, and stop by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. e National Mall is a big place and does require a few days to explore. Simply cruising and enjoying views of the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial takes at least half a day, and that's only on the west side of the Mall. It's hard not to be taken by the historic moments that took place on these very paths — the Civil Rights March led by Martin Luther King Jr., and the protests against the Vietnam War. ere is an aura that accompanies the magnifi cent pools in front of the Lincoln Memorial. From there, visitors can hop into a cab and make their way across the bridge to Arlington Cemetery. A tour or a map makes it easy to navigate towards the famed residents of the cemetery, including former President John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. VUE ON | TRAVEL 36 VUENJ.COM

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