The Washington times., 1918-04-08
MAGNIFICENT NEW
HOTEL OPENS FOR
= BUSINESS TODAY

Innovations which provide all modern
comforts in luxurious surroundings are
the features Of the National Capitals
latest hotel, The Washington. which Is
today ready for business. OF mammoth
proportions, the hostelry is large enough
TO be a city in itself and serve as a fully
equipped home for the Individual. The
demand for accommodations today ex-
ceeded the supply OF rooms.
The Washington is a top-notcher
among Americas hostelries. 1t is har-
monious blending Of sciences latest de-
vices for human comfort
Urgent Demand for Rooms.
So urgent was the demand for rooms
from homeless visitors in Washington,
that the new hotel was opened Thursday
last before the construction work had
been completed. The hotel has 400 guest
chambers which will accommodate 600
persons.
In the basement is a large convention
hall. It has seats for 1000 persons. 1t
can be converted into a dining room in
which 100 patrons can be served Elec-
trio appliances have been installed fer
the use Of exhibitors. A modern stage
hasa been erected at the rear Of the
auditorium.
In keeping with its progressive pol
icy, the management has built an en-
closed ice skating rink on the roof.
The rink is 100 feet long and forty
feet wide. This is situated on the f
street wing. Lounging and cloak
rooms for the convenience OF the
skaters adjoin the rink.
4 complete kitchen, exclusively for
the service of roof garden patrons,
is in the middle wing. The roof gar
den is on the Pennsylvania avenue
side.
Spanish Garden on Roof.
The Spanish garden patterned after
the Castilfan style Is located on the
main floor at the F street entrance.
1t has been attractively decorated In
green and saffron. A lounge room
is near the same entrance.
The main dining room has been
finished along lines similar to the
famous Ritz-Carlton. The painting,
"The Conqueror's Triumphant Re-
turn" which won the first prize in
the Paris salon, and valued at $4,000,
has been placed in this room. Rob-
ert S. Downs, president Of the Ma
tional Capital Hotel Company, own
ers of the Washington, devised a
unique system of lighting for this
room. There are no glaring chandel-
iers to dazzle the eye of the diners.
Stained glass which gives a sunburst
effect has been Installed in the main
dining room and the Spanish garden.
The floors of these rooms are of
mosaic. An orchestra concealed by
palms furnishes the music for the
diners.
The lobby is spacious and luxurious
ly furnished. On the Fifteenth street
side, II is finished in blue and gold.
The entrance from F street is in black
and white. The color effects is start
ling and pleasing to the eye. Palms
will be used to provide private lobby
for women.
dining rooms and music galleries on
the mezzanine floor. Eight floors
have 400 guest chambers. A private
bath, with a phone connected from
the room to the bath, is provided
with each room. The telephone. at
tarhment from the bedroom to the
bath is an innovation. A lavishly
furnished suite is located on each
floor. Six elevators for passengers
have been placed in the building.
In the sub-basement, a complete
| laundry has been constructed. An
ice plant. baggage room and quar-
tiers fol valet service. have been pro-
vided. In the basement, coffee
rooms. a grill seating $50 persons. a
barber shop with a stan OF eight
BARRIERS, three manicures and a hair
dresser, have been installed. A ven
| tilation system using washed air has
been added to the equipment at q
cost of nearly 100000.
Is Experienced Hotel Man.
Mr.. Downs. president OF the hotel
company. has spent a quarter OF a
century as a manager of Washing
ton and Baltimore hotels. He was
in charge OF the Shoreham for four
years, the Raleigh for ten years
and the Stafford in Baltimore for
eleven years. Associated with him
in his latest enterprise are II. c..
Sheridan as vice president: J. Eris
\ Powell, treasurer, and Il. +. Fuller
as secretary. They will have $50
employees in the new hostelry.
Filmdom's favorite actors. Miss
Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks,
and Marie Dressler. were entertain
ed at dinner in the main dining room
last night by officials of the District
Liberty loan committee