Each winter in Washington, D.C., the city’s grande dame hotels step up their lobbies, polish the silver and roll out the tea trays. The pomp and circumstance feel refined and decadent, just like the holidays should.
In our opinion, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a bit of shopping followed by a festive tea. Each of these hotels offers a unique twist on holiday fun, setting the merriment bar higher than ever.
An Opulent Tea: The St. Regis Washington, D.C.
Can’t visit the Rockefeller Center tree this season? Do the next best thing and drop by Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The St. Regis, Washington, D.C., our favorite hotel for gilded-age glamour.
The St. Regis doesn’t do “subtle,” especially in December. The lobby transforms into a jewel box of garland and sparkle — the setting where sabrage feels normal at 6 p.m. The hotel’s Holiday Afternoon Tea is just as lavish. This year’s Champagne and Caviar theme offers an elevated tea tray with champagne cheesecake, chocolate caviar with confit cherries and an Angus beef skewer with crème fraîche.
During the holidays from 4 to 6 p.m., the hotel also offers a Ladurée macaron cart that can supplement the tea or serve as its own special treat. We love that St. Regis hosts its festivities in a smaller, more intimate room than its competitors, which only adds to the sense of occasion.
A Classic Tea: Willard InterContinental
If Christmas in D.C. had a soundtrack, it would probably include the live harpist here in Peacock Alley. The Willard’s Holiday Afternoon Tea is one of the city’s longest-standing, most beloved festive traditions, with gilded ceilings, towering decorations and a refined service style that hasn’t missed a beat since the 1800s.
Families dress up, couples turn it into a date and lobby guests pause to admire the décor. With the addition of Willard’s famously ornate Christmas tree, it almost becomes a seasonal rite of passage.
If you can’t make tea, there are other reasons to visit this season. Come for the gingerbread display in the lobby, windows and doors decorated with evergreen accents and nightly caroling, along with a full menu of holiday drinks at the Round Robin bar.
A Photogenic Tea: Waldorf Astoria Washington DC
Few places feel as dramatic as Four-Star Waldorf Astoria’s soaring atrium, especially during the holidays. The old Post Office building exudes marble elegance and a cathedral-like openness — an unexpected setting for afternoon tea but one that fits perfectly.
Begin in grand style — a glass of Veuve is included with the service — followed by festive nibbles like a pomegranate fig tart with brûléed Brie, winter chicken salad and red velvet macarons.
While this seasonal tea is always special, it’s all about the setting here. Think tall decorations, elegant table arrangements and that famous clock tower looming above. It feels both grand and modern — a highly photogenic choice. Plus, it’s close to the bar, which has a TV or three, making it ideal for people who want to be distracted by sports or news channels between sips.
A Hidden Gem Tea: Salamander Washington DC
The recently renovated Salamander has quietly become one of the city’s most inviting luxury hotels, and its holiday tea captures that spirit: elegant but never stuffy, polished but warm. Hosted in the Lounge, the experience is refined yet still relaxed — a great option for those seeking festive indulgence without the grandeur of the large historic lobbies.
Expect a seasonal menu, with thoughtful presentation and flair (see: turkey and cranberry relish on rosemary brioche bites or maple oat scones with espresso glaze) and a comfortably sophisticated crowd. It’s the place to choose when you want something high-end without theatrics — a softer, more modern approach for a peaceful December moment. Bonus points if you pair it with a spa service in its 14-room oasis downstairs.
A Family Favorite Tea: Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C.
Georgetown’s Five-Star Four Seasons hosts several festive events, but none are more iconic than the Teddy Bear Tea. It’s become the city’s beloved family holiday tradition because of its kid-friendly menu, live entertainment and a take-home teddy bear that children cherish like a celebrity.
The grown-up experience remains fabulously Four Seasons: delicious pastries, flawless service and an atmosphere that makes everyone — including tired toddlers — feel at home. Reservations sell out quickly each year, and families often return annually as part of their holiday ritual that has a charitable twist — proceeds benefit Children’s National Hospital.
Should you need a reason to visit aside from the massive gingerbread display in the lobby and new florals by celebrity favorite Jeff Leatham, there will also be exclusive pop-up shops in the hotel’s top suites, allowing you to get your holiday shopping done in private, VIP style.
