Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. Unveils Room and Suite Makeover

Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. has unveiled the complete restoration of its 335 guest rooms, including 69 suites and 14 signature suites. 

Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, the over-200-year-old hotel has served as a backdrop to many pivotal events in American history. Parker Torres Design revamped the accommodations with inspiration from that legacy. 

“Drawing inspiration from the hotel’s illustrious past, marked by visits from world leaders, dignitaries, and U.S. presidents, the newly reimagined spaces pay homage to Willard’s enduring role in American history,” said Jessica Puliti, senior lead designer, and Miriam Torres, principal, of Parker Torres Design. “The design blends timeless elegance with modern luxury, offering guests a refined experience steeped in tradition and sophistication.”   

The renovations are marked by a mixture of tradition and modernity. While there are crystal chandeliers, intricate crown moldings, jewel tones, elegant draperies, hardwood flooring, and custom wool rugs, there is also contemporary decor, abstract paintings, custom furnishings, and updated technology. A fresh, neutral palette accented by soft blue tones ties it all together. 

Notably, the Willard has paid tribute to important figures in American history within each of its suite categories: Oval Suites, Specialty Suites, and Presidential Suites. The Oval Suites include Eleanor Roosevelt, Julia Ward Howe, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Frederick Douglass, and John Adams. Each Oval Suite has a floral mural inspired by its namesake.  

Specialty Suites include Helen Hayes, Jenny Lind, Martin Luther King Jr., and Henry Augustus Willard, and the four Presidential Suites are Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Theodore Roosevelt Suites. These have presidents’ portraits hanging in the rooms, along with murals and elegant yet comforting design elements.