Book Riggs Washington DC with VIP Benefits

The building dates to 1891 and was once home to the institution known as the Bank of Presidents. Lore Group's transformation keeps that history visible without turning the property into a museum. High ceilings and Corinthian columns frame the restaurant in the former banking hall, while the old boardroom has become the Riggs Suite. The vault setting of Silver Lyan completes a story guests can actually experience, rather than merely read about.

Penn Quarter shapes the stay as much as the building does. The National Portrait Gallery, Capital One Arena, Ford's Theatre and CityCenterDC are part of the immediate downtown mix; museums along the National Mall are also accessible from this central base. It is a practical location for a culture-focused weekend, a concert or a working visit with time to explore. Expect city activity around the hotel rather than the hush of a residential neighborhood. That energy is part of Riggs's appeal, especially when dinner and an evening out are on the itinerary.

Jacu Strauss's room design draws on the building's banking past in small, well-judged ways. A minibar styled like a safety-deposit box is the clearest example. Bespoke wallpaper and headboards developed with Voutsa add color, while Carrara marble bathrooms and D.S. & Durga amenities bring a more grounded finish. The result feels playful without asking guests to sleep inside a historical exhibit.

There are meaningful choices among the rooms, family accommodations and suites. A standard guest room is sensible for a short visit spent largely at museums, meetings or restaurants. Travelers who will use the hotel as a place to linger should look more closely at the suites and their separate living space. Families can consider the hotel's family rooms or connecting options rather than assuming that a single larger room will meet everyone's needs. As in any adapted historic building, category and layout deserve more attention than a broad promise of spaciousness.

The four First Lady Suites are the most individual accommodations. Their designs reference Ida McKinley, Caroline Harrison, Louisa Adams and Angelica Van Buren. Louisa Adams's music-inspired suite includes a baby grand piano; Ida McKinley's takes its palette from her interest in flowers. Select suites have freestanding tubs and separate living rooms. These are good choices when the room itself should be part of the Washington experience, not simply a place to sleep between appointments.

For a different kind of occasion, the Riggs Suite occupies the bank's former boardroom. At about 720 square feet, it includes a dining room, living room and bar, with original ceiling details and a fireplace. It can connect to additional guest rooms. That combination makes it particularly useful for a longer stay or a small gathering where private space matters as much as the bedroom.

Cafe Riggs is central to the hotel's daily rhythm. Its contemporary American brasserie serves across the day in the former banking hall, where the scale of the room, ornate ceiling and original columns give even a simple breakfast a strong sense of place. It works equally well as a convenient meeting point before heading into the city or as a dinner setting that does not require another journey across town. The restaurant is a real part of the property's character, not an amenity tucked out of sight.

The Bar at Cafe Riggs offers a less formal pause, with lounge and counter seating and light fare. Coffee in the morning and a drink later in the day give the lobby area an easy transition between hotel and neighborhood. Guests with a full sightseeing schedule may appreciate being able to return for a relaxed meal or drink without making the evening feel overplanned.

Silver Lyan is the more deliberate evening destination. Created by Ryan Chetiyawardana, known as Mr Lyan, it sits below the hotel in the historic bank vault. Its cocktail program takes inspiration from cultural exchange and the varied food and drink traditions of the United States. The setting is memorable, but the point is not just the vault door: this is a bar worth making time for. Reservations are sensible when it is central to your plans, and current access arrangements should be checked directly with the venue.

Riggs is an urban hotel rather than a spa resort. Its gym is on the vault level and is available to guests around the clock, with strength and cardio equipment, including Peloton bikes. The hotel also offers bicycles for exploring the city, subject to availability, and can arrange massage treatments in a guest room. Those options make it easier to maintain a routine, but travelers looking for a full on-site spa should choose on different criteria.

Rooftop at Riggs has indoor and outdoor space, sliding glass partitions and views over downtown Washington. The hotel markets it for meetings and private celebrations. It should be understood as an event venue, not assumed to be an everyday rooftop bar or a pool deck. For gatherings, the property also has private dining areas around Cafe Riggs and intimate spaces associated with Silver Lyan. The original bank architecture gives these rooms more identity than a standard meeting floor.

Riggs is at its best when location, design and food and drink all matter. A museum visit can start nearby, an evening can move from Cafe Riggs to Silver Lyan, and the historic details remain present without dictating the whole stay. Couples planning a city break, travelers attending an event at Capital One Arena and business guests who prefer an active neighborhood all have clear reasons to consider it.

The trade-off is equally clear. Penn Quarter is lively, and the hotel is more social than secluded. Its rooftop is chiefly a venue for booked occasions, while wellness is centered on a gym and in-room treatments. Choose Riggs Washington DC for a characterful former bank, a strong downtown position and rooms that make thoughtful use of the building's history. Travelers whose priority is an expansive spa or quiet residential setting will be better served elsewhere.