
Quiet hotel hallways bathed in natural light from the sky-lit atrium at Trump International in DC (Chris McGinnis)
In this post: A look inside the hallways, rooms and towers of the Trump International hotel in DC, an interview and tour with the managing director, and conversations with people who work there…plus lots of photos!
I was in Washington DC recently for meeting of Boarding Area bloggers and could not resist the opportunity to report on what is likely the most talked-about hotel in the U.S. these days: The brand new Trump International Hotel Washington DC.
Because I flew in from the West Coast, I had to arrive a day early to attend sessions beginning on Friday afternoon. The meeting was at the Marriott Marquis, but it was full on Thursday night, so I began my search for options.
During my search, the Trump International popped up several times at $404 per night while many of the city’s other four and five star hotels were sold out. Seeing the Trump hotel show up reminded me that I know the managing director there, Mickael Damelincourt, an old friend of TravelSkills I’d met when he opened hotels in Chicago and Toronto. So I sent him an email letting him know was coming to DC and that I’d like to meet up with him to find out more about his the hotel for a post on the blog. I wrote, “The post would be completely and purposefully non-political. I just think it would make a really well-read item considering the brouhaha around the election the curiosity about the new hotel.”

Key to room 721 (Photo: Chris McGinnis)
A few minutes later, bingo! I heard back from him with an offer to comp my one-night stay, which I accepted. Here’s what I experienced and learned and heard from all kinds of folks connected to the hotel.
I flew into Washington Reagan National Airport on Virgin America (arriving 4 pm) and called up Lyft to pick me up for a ride to the hotel. I was a little worried about what the driver might think when he learned of my destination. So when I got in the car, and realized that the driver was from Africa (Ghana he later shared) I made a joke and said, “You have my destination right? Take me to the devil’s house!” He let out a big laugh and said, “I have been wanting a pick up or drop off at the Trump hotel ever since it opened last week! You are my first! I don’t care who wins this election, I just want it to be over. So let’s go see his house!”

Tourists snagging selfies at the Pennsylvania Ave entrance to the Trump DC (Chris McGinnis)
Clearly the driver had never been to the hotel before, because when we arrived, he could not find the entrance, and dropped me off on 12th Street. Both the 12th St and Pennsylvania Avenue doors were closed, so I dragged my bag around to 11th Street where the main entrance is.
As I approached the door, a smiling bellman in top hat and tails rushed out to greet me and take my bags, and asked my name. Within seconds of entering the hotel, it felt like I was in Asia– why? Because the bellman had somehow let the staff know that my name was Mr McGinnis, and soon they were all greeting me by name, and did so throughout my stay. Last time I experienced that kind of name recognition was in Hong Kong. Impressive.
Guests enter the hotel through a dark wood-paneled portico, and are led into the huge, bright eye-popping lobby, which used to be the factory floor of the US Post Office, full of sorting machines and workers. Now it’s full of blue velvet, marble, crystal chandeliers, a big bar with four giant TV screens. Soaring 200 feet above is a new glass ceiling that allows natural light to flow into the lobby atrium and the nine floors of corridors leading to 263 rooms and suites. It’s a lot to take in!

The lobby of the Trump International used to house a mail sorting facility. Now look! (Chris McGinnis)
As I was standing there soaking it all up, Damelincourt appeared to welcome me and set up our appointment for a tour the following morning. He pointed up to the old Post Office clock tower through the glass ceiling and said, “I’ll take you up there tomorrow- it’s the second highest building in Washington and has been off limits to the public for years. The US Park Service will open it to public tours later this winter.”
There’s been plenty of speculation about whether or not the Donald’s controversial campaign has affected business at this hotel, so I was on the lookout for signs, and I do think it seemed rather quiet. At 5 pm on Thursday, the big bar area had about 50 customers being served by white-coated staff. “How’s business?” I asked. Damelincourt said that the bar has been quite popular and he’s averaging between $18,000 and $25,000 in receipts per night. He said the biggest nights in the lobby so far were during the debates when they had it tuned in on all four lobby screens. He said a big crowd from both sides showed up to cheer on their candidates in a good natured fashion and the nights were a big success. He’s expecting a similar crowd on election night as well as Super Bowl Sunday.

The Trump hotel was once the Old US Post Office building on Pennsylvania Avenue (Chris McGinnis)
As far as hotel business is concerned, he said that he’s opened two other Trump hotels before, and that early bookings at this one seem to be in line with those. It’s true that a brand new hotel takes time to establish itself in a market. Plus hoteliers like business to build up slowly in order for staff to get up to speed. But still, I was on the lookout to see just how slow business was.
Once I checked in at the desk, a beautiful Latina woman escorted me to my room on the seventh floor. On the way to the room, she pointed out the details of the restoration of this one-time office building. From the old radiators surrounding columns in the lobby to the crown molding in corridors, it’s gorgeous. We were having a great chat as we walked through the long corridors to my room. She told me she was from Miami and that she’d worked in the hotel business for a while, but that this was the best job she’d ever had. I had to ask, “So what do your friends back in Miami have to say about your working for Mr Trump?” She looked at me and said, without skipping a beat, “Trump is very popular in Miami, so most of my friends are supportive of my job or don’t really care. It’s not an issue, really.” Fair enough, I thought.

Room 721 at the Trump International Washington DC- 14 foot ceilings, crystal chandeliers and lots of gold leaf (Chris McGinnis)
She showed me around my “premier” room, which is one step up from the entry level “deluxe” rooms. Since the hotel officially opened just last week, I felt like I could have been the first person to sleep in this room- it sure smelled that way! It was huge with 14 foot ceilings, two brilliant, freshly scrubbed crystal chandeliers (there are 628 throughout the hotel), a big king bed with an ornate gilded headboard that screamed Trump, plus a wonderful nook for a gilded desk in a corner turret with stunning views of the Washington Monument and the surrounding sandstone buildings in the Federal Triangle. The big bright bathroom was sheathed in Carrara marble and includes a dual vanity, huge soaking tub and walk in shower.

Carrara marble everywhere in the big bathroom in room 721 (Chris McGinnis)
As I was unpacking, the doorbell rang, and it was a butler with bottle of sparkling wine and some strawberries as a welcome from the hotel. The brand was Trump Blanc de Blanc ($26) of course! I had a glass and it was actually very good, but I’m no wine connoisseur.
I was eager to get out of the room, take my own mini-tour of the hotel, then find a place for dinner. Walking out of my room to the corridor, I peered over the balcony and saw the entire hotel…every floor down to the lobby. Damelincourt told me that as a manager, he loves this since it’s easy for him to look out and see what’s happening all at once– something that’s tough to do without a big atrium like this. The hallways were gorgeous and lit with crystal chandeliers, lamps and sconces, chairs, tables, chintz and views. They are also super long, which, due to the Halloween season, made me think of the movie The Shining and the word Redrum 🙂 . But there was not a soul in sight. I wondered if I was the only guest on the seventh floor.
On my way out of the hotel I approached the concierge who greets me by name. I asked him for suggestions saying, “I’m just off the plane from San Francisco, and did not eat much since breakfast. I’m starving for a good walk and an early dinner. I’ll be dining alone so would like a place that’s easy and casual.” He lit up when I said San Francisco. “Did you know that there’s a Tadich Grill right across the street? You can go there and sit at the bar and they’ll take good care of you. Tell ’em Robert from the Trump hotel sent you.” He insisted on walking out the door to show me exactly where it was.

The new Tadich Grill in Washington is across the street from the Trump International (Chris McGinnis)
So I took a nice spin down Pennsylvania Avenue, then went to Tadich Grill for a delicious dinner of lump blue crab cakes (perfection!) and a glass of chardonnay. I had a nice chat with the bartender and asked, “So what do you think about having the Trump hotel across the street? Do you get much business from there? Does it seem busy?” He lit up at that and had plenty to say. First, he said that competition among bartenders was fierce for a job at the Trump because “he pays top dollar [$19/hr + tips] to bartenders and pays for health insurance, too. At other places, you’ll get about $9 per hour and you are lucky if you get insurance.” He has friends on staff at the Trump who tell him that the hotel is running about 50% full, while others in the area are oversold- he said, “Just go look at the windows and see how many lights you see on and you’ll get an idea.”
He said that much of the hotel’s business is driven by the curiosity factor for now, and that anyone who won’t stay there for political reasons will forget about that soon after the election. I have to agree. Location is typically the primary factor business travelers use when choosing a hotel, and the Trump is ideally located midway between the White House and the Capitol. Plus, during recent elections I heard from readers swearing that they’d never stay at a Marriott again after the Marriott family donated so much to the Romney campaign… that obviously had little impact on what is now the largest hotel company in the world. Time will tell….

The Trump International at night (Chris McGinnis)
So when I left Tadich and resumed my walk I looked up a hotel windows. From the street, The Trump looked about half full. But when I looked up at the nearby Willard InterContinental or JW Marriott, both were nearly 100% full.

Plenty of lights on at the nearby JW Marriott Hotel in DC (Chris McGinnis)
I slept well and woke up the following morning for breakfast at BLT Prime in the lobby. Since I was on Pacific time, I was a little late, sitting down at about 9 am. There were only about six other patrons in the restaurant. I ordered a delicious breakfast popover stuffed with scrambled eggs and chunks of smoky bacon served with fresh berries. The coffee was good, and naturally Trump branded. From my perch on the balcony overlooking the lobby, I could see the four giant TV screens at the other end and noted that none of them showed Fox News.

My breakfast popover at the BLT restaurant in the lobby (Chris McGinnis)
At 10 am my tour started with the Damelincourt. Here are some highlights from that spin through the property:
-Despite their political persuasions, Damelincourt says that most Washingtonians are most happy that something was finally done with the the beautiful but dumpy old building that had struggled since the post office moved out long ago.
-Trump leased the hotel from the federal government for 60 years and invested about $200 million in the refurbishment. The hotel shares the space with the U.S. Park Service, which oversees the iconic clock tower that stands above the hotel, and will begin offering tours in January.
-There are 263 rooms in the hotel. That includes 35 suites which go for $1,000-$20,000 a night. Deluxe rooms start at around $400. Premier rooms (larger, with better views) start at about $550. Executive rooms and junior suites start at around $650 per night. (Rates of course are based on demand, so can vary widely.)

Looking up at the clocktower through the glass ceiling at the Trump Hotel (Chris McGinnis)
-The best entry-level rooms? “Well if you are a history buff, ask for a deluxe room with an atrium view- from your room, you can look up through the glass roof to see the famous clocktower.”
-The Presidential Suite was at one time the office of the US Postmaster General– it’s huge (three times the size of the Oval Office!), ornate and covered in with masculine wood paneling. The bathroom once served as the Postal Service safe, and retains a two-foot thick doorway to enter.

Suites at the Trump International decorated in Navy blue and white- and lots of crystal (Chris McGinnis)
-The clock tower houses bells given to the US by the UK that do not fit in the Capitol (down at the end of Pennsylvania Avenue, so they were put in the Post Office Tower. Soon those bells will be rung by hand during the opening and closing of Congress.
-There are three Presidential Suites in the Trump. The Postmaster suite is 2,000 square feet. The Presidential Suite (the most secure) is 4,000 square feet and the Trump Townhouse (two levels on the first and second floor with dedicated entry from the street) is 6,300 square feet.

Check out the presidential toilet in the presidential suite! Paging LBJ! (Chris McGinnis)
-The 628 crystal chandeliers throughout the hotel are cleaned about every eight weeks by a private contractor. Nice contract, I bet!
-A few nice touches Damelincourt insisted on: a standard alarm clock in every room (they are made of brass and very heavy). He has installed handheld garment steamers in each closet, which he says remove wrinkles quickly without the muss and fuss of an iron an ironing board. And best of all (to me at least) the hotel provides real half & half with the in-room Nespresso machine! Also, in-room wifi was lightning fast, and when you sign on, it’s good for three days…no irritating daily sign on required.

View of the Washington Monument over the roof of the IRS building from the desk of my room at the Trump hotel (Chris McGinnis)
-When we were in the tower, I wondered aloud if the hotel required any sort of special security detail due to the controversy surrounding Trump. He looked around and said, “We are surrounded by the IRS and the FBI is across the street. This is one of the most secure areas in the whole city, so if anything funny happens, police usually respond within minutes, if not seconds. Every day we get a few protesters on the sidewalk who hold up placards for a photo, then disappear.”
-The Trump children (primarily Ivanka) visit and consult with the hotel frequently. The Donald is not involved in the day-to-day like they are.

The majestic view from the clock tower at the Trump International Hotel in Washington (Chris McGinnis)
So what do you think? Once the election brouhaha has cooled off, would you darken the door of the Trump International Hotel in DC? Why or why not? Please leave your comments below.
Disclosure: The Trump International hotel comped my one night stay and TravelSkills paid for my flights, meals and transfers related to this trip.
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Jealousy must heart?!? Really. Learn English, you blistering idiot. Thanks for the giggle.
Gloria: Jealousy must heart. Shame on you.
Regards from Switzerland and India.
Yes, I noticed that the praise seemed forced, like a hard turd through the anus
Now I’d like a room there next month when I’ll be in DC for Inauguration.
If you’ve stayed at one Trump property you’ve stayed at all of them.
No difference in quality.
All Trump properties are life enhancing experiences that will leave you feeling magical.
The Trump family knows how to please.
But thanks for the photos and the credible critique.
Glad you enjoyed it.
I stayed at the Trump DC hotel last weekend. When the cab pulled up to drop my wife and I off, the bellman opened my cab door and welcomed me by name, like I was some kind of celebrity. I still can’t figure out how he knew who I was because I’m really a nobody.:) The hotel was plush, elegant, gilded, pricey, lavish, and over-the-top, just like The Man himself.
Good grief, do I really need to spell it out for you? I suppose I should get used to it, since it seems to be the new normal. Anyhow, Chris said he “took a risk” on this post without saying what the risk was. I speculated that the “risk” in question might be in exposing his blog to the comments of shameless, poorly educated (Trump’s own words) Trump supporters. Oh, and thank you for proving my point.
@takinitin you really have a problem with everyone dont you. There are those people who think that everyone is a resentful loser unless they see their side regardless and then if they dont they call them names “resentful loser” I think that is a sign if someone who is not mature and needs to grow up. Name calling is not what an adult does, it is what a child does as a defense when they feel inadequate about themself and need to justify their views when they have no other rational basis for them. Just like a 70 yr old white man does.
Another resentful loser. Grow up.
WTF r u talking about???
Thank you Chris for the lovely pictures & description of the hotel. It looks absolutely fabulous & I really enjoyed your report.
You handled your attacks gracefully.
Best wishes!
Correction He won the Electoral college he DID NOT win the popular vote. More then 50% of the country DID NOT VOTE FOR HIM!!!
He wanted to be closer to the court house so he did not have a longer commute to respond to all the lawsuits
It is ok Carolyn it is not marketed to you. Trump hotels do tend to be marketed to the Middle Eastens but now that he has attacked them his occupancy rates are down (Eric said so on 60 Minutes Sunday night)
Wanted to see how bad the review was not good.
This is the same hotel that just got caught not washing their bathrooms in the first couple weeks they were open. GROSS They have already sunk to low standards.
#yesheisyourpresidentyounitwit
YOU’RE a puppet!
Gloria, YOU are just eeeeuuuuoowwww!
Interesting that you characterize addressing something Trump-related as a “risk.” Presumably the risk is in exposing yourself to his coalition of the poorly educated who clearly regard shamelessness as a virtue…
No. I would not stay there. In my opinion, it was premature for you to write a review of the hotel. However, your review as always is concise, objective, and entertaining. The photos are fabulous.
I will continue to read your website which is fun and very informative but am reeling at the idea of anyone staying in a hotel owned by trump of their own choosing. I do hope you were paid to stay there otherwise … just eeeeuuuuoowwww.
We have stayed in the trump hotel in Las Vegas. It was lovely but basically empty and this was years ago. Our room was spectacular and the service was good. We were upgraded at a minimal charge since rooms were available.
Goodbye Chris and your liberal reporting what a joke you are!!!!keep voting for the Democrats and More Taxes, MOre welfare,More regulations for all ,more government control of us and socialized government healthcare like in Europe.
he is not any of the above where do u get your news??? remember Bill Clinton is a rapist and Hillary has put up and covered it up for 40 years but they are lib-dems so that is OKKKKK
objective is a joke..
right on Chris is an idiot,,,”take me to the Devil’s house” then no fox news then harassing the Miami woman.. trying to cause trouble and u got a free nitr what a liberal you are . always getting something for nothing…(welfare )
i guess u got hte canned DNC memo all say the same thing racist, bigot,misogynistic….repeating the DNC Babble hate and fear crap…look at the protestors for hillary..who is full of hate????
good one u nailed it ,, he should have paid for the room in the” Devil’s house”so unPC
Thanks! Took a risk and it really paid off in terms of page views… it’s been one of our most popular posts this year.
Impressed by the even-review of the property. Also impressed at the courage to tackle this subject (a Trump hotel, where you could be attacked by either side for your coverage). Great job!
Love it when my readers straighten things out in the comments before I can get to them 🙂
Dude it’s his blog anyway. He can write what he wants. Why would one’s political persuasion bother you so much, anyway? All he said is “they are shared by many”, which is, in fact true, based on votes. No, i’m not a liberal. Just standing up for Chris.
I read that FBI and CIA headquarters both moving from DC to Colorado. Academy staying at Qtco.
Slow your roll there, 101. For starters, Chris stayed at the Trump property and shared his (customary) objective review. Thanking someone for posting on his blog is not an endorsement, nor is pointing out that the poster’s thoughts are “shared by many” (which is objectively true just on this page alone). Not sure where you’re seeing partisan hypocrisy…
Nice to be non partisan Chris. As a SFO born and raised, I was one of 26k to vote for President Trump. I stayed at his Hotel in Vegas and found it to be great. I look forward to staying at the Trump Hotel in DC. This is my last post on this site as you are showing your true Blue hypocritical stuff.
Huh. Just the sort of thoughtful, well-reasoned response I would expect from a Trump-ist; I can’t wait to see how four years (at most, Thank God) of I-know-you-are-but-what-am-I levels of rhetoric cheapen our political discourse. I at least tried to stay close to the subject of the post. As for the hotel itself, there’s usually a market for Trump’s brand of overwrought Versailles-leaning “style.” Count me out.
Bitter, liberal loser. Trump won, either go get your therapy dog to help you through it or face it and move on.
How many lawsuits has this alleged businessman filed as part of this one project? I just opened another tab, Googled “Trump Hotel Washington DC lawsuit” and found three in the first three links (one against the District over tax assessments — naturally — and two against celebrity chefs over restaurants for the property)! I’m certain a couple more minutes of Googling, which is more than I’m willing to invest, would reveal contractors being stiffed and an assortment of other outrages. Who besides Donald Trump has ever profited from doing business with him? He’s a crook and a con artist, and the only question in my mind is what specific charges will be cited in his articles of impeachment (his dealings with Russia are treasonous, plain and simple).
Also, your stay was comped? I imagine now we’ll be seeing that show up on the Trump Foundation’s list of “charitable contributions”…
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Lovie! They are shared by many.
It’s on my list of places to stay. Not that Mr. Trump needs my financial support but he certainly gets my business.
“Take me to the devil’s house!” Your funniest line ever, and one of the funniest lines I’ve ever read in a blog.
Thanks for the nice review of the hotel. Though I’m not a Trump fan at all, it is nice to see a historic old building repurposed. I’m also glad to hear that he pays and treats his employees well. The furnishings are a little ornate for my taste, but I would consider staying there, if only for the curiosity factor.
Funny you should say that about the FBI building. The hotel GM told me that it’s slated to be razed and replaced with an entirely new building. FBI is moving to the suburbs.
The most valuable lesson from my high school Civics class: Every action is political.
So yeah, snowball’s chance in H. E. double hockey sticks I’ll ever set foot in anything named Trump.
(But thanks for the good article. As an ex-District guy, it’s great to see that empty block a little more alive. Now, if only we could do something about the FBI building (and it’s leader, now that I think about it…) across the street.
I would not stay there even if the rate was the same as a HoJo. Why support an anti woman, anti gay, anti Latino, anti black, anti Muslim sexual predator?
I would never stay at a business belonging to a White Supremacist, Sexist, Homophobe right wing nut. I care too much about my country.
Like Trump’s politics or not, you have to admit that his properties are among the best in the US, and the service is on par with many great hotels around the world.
So you’re saying “there’s a chance.”
Seriously , knock it off collective of internet grumpy pants, we didn’t get in this game to become cheerleaders
( Although I , personally, love cheerleaders, guys and gals, they make the game fun. )
Not a big fan of our president-elect , but due respect that his hotel seems to pay the staff well and the service is top notch.
I want to stay there, it’s historic, beautiful and Trump quality. It’s Superior!
It’ll be a cold day in hell first.
Much less tacky than I’d expect, but I will never give him a dime (and that goes back way before this election).
Love him or hate him his properties are first class and spectacular. Service is always great.