The Watergate Hotel
2650 Virginia Avenue NW • Washington, DC 20037
844-617-1972 • thewatergatehotel.com
Though the name “Watergate” might evoke thoughts of an infamous political scandal in 1972—when intruders were caught in the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee, leading to Richard Nixon’s resignation from the presidency—The Watergate Hotel’s only controversy in 1965 was in its curvy design that upset the conservative architecture norm of DC at that time. Over the last 50-and-counting years, the unique building has reinvented itself countless times to keep up with fashion’s ever-changing demands. A recent nine-year renovation has now been completed, restoring the landmark to its glory. With a name that usually brings to mind a notorious historical headline and a brilliant location along the Potomac River in the heart of the city, there is no doubt that a time-honored, universal beverage, like tea, would be most welcome here.
The Watergate Hotel perfectly marries classic elegance with contemporary luxury in every detail of the property. The avant-garde architecture, mid-century modern décor, and “retro-chic” staff uniforms—created by the costume designer of the period drama television series Mad Men—all nod to the history of the site and the elevated cheeky persona that the brand embodies. The ambience creates the perfect background for afternoon tea to flourish in this setting, with an air of reverence while leaving room for playful frivolity. “After the pandemic, when we reopened restaurants here [September 2021], we opened afternoon tea right after the breakfast service,” says Kate Levkovskaya, The Watergate Hotel’s food and beverage manager. “We brought it back to life. Our ownership is passionate about afternoon tea.”
For a present-day spin on the beloved tradition, look no further than teatime at Watergate. Their service, for $75 per person by reservation only, bestows all the proper hallmarks of afternoon tea—from the beverage itself and the requisite three courses to familiar Royal Albert china—but with a sleek approach in terms of food presentation. A complimentary glass of sparkling wine, nonalcoholic cider, or a specialty mocktail is presented upon arrival. Next, a comforting pot of tea must be selected. To no surprise, classic options, such as Earl Grey and English Breakfast, are ranked highly among guests. Fruit-forward black and green teas and spice-filled chais are also top contenders on the menu. If the lengthy tea list is too overwhelming, the servers will be happy to lend their recommendations. “Servers will ask if they like more herbaceous or fruity or spicy,” Kate explains. “We bring out the dry tea leaves so they can observe and smell them.”
For the pièce de resistance of the entire experience and some people’s favorite part of the treasured pastime, tiered stands with tempting goodies are next to appear. One wonderfully full “tower” is designed for sharing between two people. Traditional tea sandwiches laden with classic fillings, like smoked salmon, cucumber, and egg salad, are sure to delight the masses who expect such delicacies at teatime. For an ideal divergence after consuming multiple savories, lemon curd and orange marmalade accompany homemade blueberry scones. And last but not least, assorted macarons, mini crème brûlées, mini tiramisù, and petite cakes (often red velvet or carrot cake) make up the decadent top tier to conclude the meal on a sweet note. In the future, the hotel staff hopes to offer fun themed teas for adults and children to increase their current offerings.
When asked what The Watergate Hotel’s afternoon tea brings to the DC area, Kate divulges “it brings a little freedom to the guests. They don’t have to stress about not knowing what to order. They can enjoy the easy, elegant, and warm experience.” If you are looking for a different way to take in the historical city aside from museums, are curious about learning more about tea, or perhaps the thought-provoking name popped up on your Google search and sparked interest, Th e Watergate Hotel is filled with endless opportunities to expand your horizons. And for those looking for controversy, ask your adjacent neighbor at tea whether they prefer to spread the cream or the jam first on scones.
The Watergate Hotel’s afternoon tea is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
