Mandarin Oriental ~ Washington DC – This morning we awakened, in the most comfortable beds ever, in the AAA Four-Diamond, Forbes Four-Star Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC.

We are located within walking distance of nation’s most cherished monuments, Capitol Hill, and the revered museums of the Smithsonian Institution.

We have long heard of the glowing reputation of this international hotel brand, and we were greatly looking forward to our inaugural stay.

Our room is on the 8th floor, enjoys a remarkable view of the Jefferson Monument as well as access to the Mandarin’s Tai Pan Club Room which offers a complimentary European breakfast, all day snacks, and evening name brand cocktails and Hors d’Oeuvres, as well as additional amenities that luxury travelers have come to enjoy.

After breakfast, we donned our hiking shoes and we were off to explore the Jefferson Memorial, the Tidal Basin, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial.

The Reflecting Pool was closed for construction, but we continued on to visit the World War II Memorial and finally the Washington Monument.

I am probably mistaken, but it seemed that the Vietnam Memorial and the Black Patriots Memorial were inaccessible due to the construction.

After our morning of memorial explorations, we were off to enjoy lunch at the Old Ebbitt Grill which is Washington’s oldest, most historic saloon (founded in 1856) now turned restaurant.

Carol enjoyed a wonderful crab-cake sandwich, while I went with the recommended Walter’s Favorite
(hot pastrami and Muenster cheese on pumpernickel bread with Thousand Island dressing and coleslaw).  YUM!

After lunch, and a wonderful conversation with a couple from Virginia, we were off to explore the Eastern Market, Washington DC’s oldest continually operated fresh food public market, located in the heart of the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Although Saturdays are the best day to visit, we still found some wonderful cheese and shared a glorious macaroon.

After a very full day, we journeyed back to our room to relax a bit and clean up for our dinner at the Mandarin Oriental’s Sou’Wester restaurant hosted by Director of Communications, Linda Beltran.

I’ll talk more about our dining experience in another post, but for now, take a peek at our Pan Fried Oysters (Smoked Pepper Aioli).  YUM!

Well, that was our day.  After dinner we watched American Idol from the comfort of our incredibly comfortable Mandarin Oriental bed, and drifted off to sleep.

Can’t wait for tomorrow’s adventures.

Stay tuned!