Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square

Dupont Circle and Embassy Row, Washington DC

Virgin rating

Superior Room
Deluxe Luxury Room
Superior Room
Superior Room
Deluxe Luxury Room
Superior Room

The hotel

Featuring a certain sense of pizazz throughout as well as numerous contemporary comforts and state-of-the-art facilities, the Sofitel Washington on Lafayette Square provides all the answers to your shopping, sightseeing and entertainment dreams. Head to the Opaline Bar & Brasserie for French-inspired cuisine and a specialty cocktail. All in all this is one Washington postcode that's worthy of your attention and not just because of the White House, the Washington Monument and the National Theatre which are all within a well-aimed stone's throw from the Sofitel's front door.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Laundry Service
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Close to City Centre

Where is it

Situated on the corner of Lafayette Square bordering the White House and close to numerous downtown sites including Smithsonian museums, war memorials and vast green parks. Transfer time from Dulles International Airport: 35 minutes.

Hotel information

237 rooms and suites on 12 floors. All with air-conditioning, 55” HDTV, Bose© sound system, mini-bar*, coffee maker, separate bath and rain shower, hairdryer and iron and board. Superior Rooms are 370-400 sq ft and have 1 king-size bed or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. 

Deluxe Luxury Rooms are 400-450 sq ft and have 1 king-size bed or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Junior Suites are 426-475 sq ft and have a separate living area with additional TV, with 1 king-size bed in the bedroom and pullout sofa bed in the living area, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child. 

Opaline Bar & Brasserie (classic French food, seasonal dishes and cocktails, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner). Fitness centre. Concierge. Laundry/dry-cleaning and ironing service*. Complimentary WiFi.

This hotel has a resort fee of $34.79 plus tax per room, per day (payable locally, subject to change)

Urban Experience fee includes the following: 

  • Morning Tea & Coffee in The Lobby 
  • Refreshing Afternoon Beverage in The Lobby 
  • Premium WiFi Access 
  • Morning Guided Runs 
  • Yoga Classes 
  • $10 Movie Credit Per Day (for Platinum ALL Members) 
  • $10 Laundry/Dry Cleaning Credit Per Day

*Denotes local charge.

Please note: one person must be aged 21 years and over in each room at check-in.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (2576)
  • Very good (971)
  • Average (225)
  • Poor (101)
  • Terrible (43)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great location, great staff treats ALL members well!

Dec 4, 2023 ttstroker

First, there are lots of options to stay in a major city, and the Sofitel has a wonderful location. A few blocks walking to major points of interest but not so remote that you're limited to only what's offered by the hotel itself. The Sofitel has plenty of restaurants, a metro station, and sites like the White House and Ellipse (where the… Read more
First, there are lots of options to stay in a major city, and the Sofitel has a wonderful location. A few blocks walking to major points of interest but not so remote that you're limited to only what's offered by the hotel itself. The Sofitel has plenty of restaurants, a metro station, and sites like the White House and Ellipse (where the Christmas trees are set up) that provide great convenience. It's also in an area that we had no worries about walking around no matter the time of the day. The second major plus is the staff. They really are welcoming and helpful, wanting to provide a pleasant interaction. Check-in and check-out was a breeze, they handed out umbrellas to help keep guests dry as they headed out, and the bar staff made wonderful cocktails. I was thanked for my loyalty as an Accor Live Limitless member, provided with our welcome beverage tickets, and received a complimentary upgrade to a wonderful, spacious junior suite. The room itself was well laid out, had plenty of outlets, and represented the Sofitel brand well. This was our second excellent stay since September, and we will look to the Sofitel if we ever have future plans in the city that necessitate staying overnight. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A hidden gem near the White House and all of DC’s main attractions.

Dec 1, 2023 969albertl Leesburg, Virginia

As a local, I don’t have too many reasons to go to a hotel, let alone a five-star hotel. But I had a staycation recently at the Sofitel to help boost my Accor status. I’ve been to other Sofitels in Latin America, Europe and NYC, but now I’m actually at the one in my hometown. The room I was in is a junior suite. The bedroom and living space are… Read more
As a local, I don’t have too many reasons to go to a hotel, let alone a five-star hotel. But I had a staycation recently at the Sofitel to help boost my Accor status. I’ve been to other Sofitels in Latin America, Europe and NYC, but now I’m actually at the one in my hometown. The room I was in is a junior suite. The bedroom and living space are cozy with a modern interior. And each space came with a full size TV. The bathroom is well sized but the shower space is a bit small compared to some other showers I’ve been in. That said, the bed was very comfortable and I was always able to sleep well for 3 nights. Breakfast was with my room. I ordered room service every time and the food came in within 20-30 minutes. It costs $10 each time, which is reasonable, after seeing the reviews of wait times if one came down to Opaline, the in-house restaurant. The hotel is starting to show its age (about 7 yrs since its last renovation I believe). But the service is still consistent. I hope to return soon and also hope that Accor keeps this hotel as a Sofitel, and not turn it into a Pullman, MGallery, etc because this is the flagship brand. Also there are more luxury hotels that just opened in DC like the Intercontinental at the Wharf and the Conrad in CityCenter, so I hope that refresh happens soon. Either way, this is a luxury hotel that is near all the main tourist attractions, will be familiar to European and Asian travelers (Accor is the biggest hotel chain in those markets), and Americans, even locals like me should experience this place as well! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The hotel needs a facelift for the price

Nov 26, 2023 MaMaBrooklyn_NewYork Brooklyn, New York

Our recent stay at Sofitel DC marked our second visit, the first being five years ago. Chosen for its boutique appeal, this time around, the experience left us with mixed feelings. The hotel's familiar ambiance and welcoming staff made it a convenient choice for our visit to our daughter who is in college in DC. Located centrally, it offers easy… Read more
Our recent stay at Sofitel DC marked our second visit, the first being five years ago. Chosen for its boutique appeal, this time around, the experience left us with mixed feelings. The hotel's familiar ambiance and welcoming staff made it a convenient choice for our visit to our daughter who is in college in DC. Located centrally, it offers easy access via Uber or the metro. While cleanliness is a strong suit, the aging elements are hard to ignore. The mattress on the pull-out hadn't been updated in five years and burn stains on the furniture hinted at a need for refurbishment. I hope this review flagging these issues, result in a necessary facelift. The bathroom, although clean, displayed signs of wear with outdated hardware and aging caulking. Though the Sofitel offers comfort, the lack of updates impacted the overall experience. The pricing, unfortunately, seems high in comparison to other options in the area. In summary, Sofitel DC's charm is shadowed by overdue updates. It remains a decent stay but falls short of justifying its premium pricing amidst competitors. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating No Respect For Military Personnel

Nov 19, 2023 Frank R

The hotel offers a discount for current and retired military personnel. I booked a room and asked for the discount being retired from the Air Force. When I checked in to the hotel they had downgraded my room without telling me. We ended up in a room with no view and broken worn out furniture. The refrigerator was for bottles only. It had no… Read more
The hotel offers a discount for current and retired military personnel. I booked a room and asked for the discount being retired from the Air Force. When I checked in to the hotel they had downgraded my room without telling me. We ended up in a room with no view and broken worn out furniture. The refrigerator was for bottles only. It had no shelves, only racks. The desk was battered and an easy chair was torn and worn out. We went to the front desk to complain and they told us to take it or leave. They treated out like garbage all because we asked for a military discount that they advertise on their web site. That’s how they thank you for your service. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Five-Star Service - Thanks Kelvin!

Nov 8, 2023 Compass22367188179

My wife and I recently stayed at Sofitel's Lafayette Square property and were treated to a beautiful stay. It is an excellently maintained property in a great location; you can't go wrong staying here. More importantly, we would like to spotlight Sofitel's on-site restaurant's (Opaline) maitre d', Kelvin. We had a disastrous experience with one… Read more
My wife and I recently stayed at Sofitel's Lafayette Square property and were treated to a beautiful stay. It is an excellently maintained property in a great location; you can't go wrong staying here. More importantly, we would like to spotlight Sofitel's on-site restaurant's (Opaline) maitre d', Kelvin. We had a disastrous experience with one of DC's finer restaurants on our first night and walked out due to the chaotic environment. Upon returning to the hotel for a last-chance attempt at making a dinner service, our frustrations evaporated. Kelvin sensed we were beaten down, and upon hearing our experience, he made sure our dinner was nothing short of top-notch. We were sat immediately, given priority, and treated with the utmost hospitality. Kelvin, thank you again from John and Kelley. See you soon! Read less