Active Woman Traveler

To pack as much as you can into a quick trip, you should find a great place to lay your head at night to rejuvenate yourself for the whirlwind of the day. My son Brian and I recently took a two-day trip to Washington, D.C. and renewed in style at the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City in Arlington, Virginia.

Our first impression was of the personable, on-the-spot service, from the valet to the bell hop to the front desk staff. We were both hungry after the drive but didn’t want to take tour time to find lunch, so we were pleasantly surprised to realize that our Club Level status entitled us to an afternoon snack in the Club Room, a “snack” of sliced meats, cheeses, breads, pates, fruits and sweets that we knew would carry us through to dinner time.

The comfortable Club lounge presented a variety of seating options clustered in small groupings, for simply relaxing or for enjoying the food and beverages that are offered throughout the day. The view from the lounge provided a view that left no doubt as to where you were: besides overlooking the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (a stone’s throw away with a walkway from the Ritz-Carlton, for those who want to enjoy shopping as part of their D.C. experience), the lounge looks out to the Pentagon, to the Washington Monument, and to planes landing at National Airport in the distance.

Regretfully, Brian and I weren’t back in time from our whirlwind evening to enjoy the chocolates and cordials of the bedtime repast, but we did experience a satisfying breakfast the next morning that was far above the typical hotel continental breakfast.

Most importantly, we were able to sleep in sweet comfort. The beds were luxurious, and the iPod dock beside my bed let me drift to sleep with the Ambiance sounds of my choosing. Our suite allowed me to close the doors while Brian watched TV, with no disruptions to disturb my slumber. The next morning, I wrapped myself in the fluffy robe and showered among the Italian marble. The suite had a rich blue and gold theme, with quality furnishings and exceptional cleanliness.

When we ventured out from the Ritz-Carlton that evening (though admittedly, once there, it’s tempting to just stay put), we drove to the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum near Dulles International Airport and then to Leesburg’s Fireworks Pizza (not the closest restaurant by any measure, but we were visiting family in Leesburg) that evening. The next day, we went to the International Spy Museum and to Georgetown, where we picked up some divine Georgetown Cupcakes (having learned the secret of not waiting in the block-long line) and met a friend for dinner at Farmers and Fishers at the waterside.

If we hadn’t had plans to meet friends and family that weekend, the convenient location of the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City would have afforded much closer options for our touristy pleasures. The hotel is situated ten minutes from downtown D.C. and near the blue and yellow lines of the Metro. It’s within easy reach of Old Town Alexandria, Arlington National Cemetery, the September 11th Pentagon Memorial, the National Mall and Smithsonian Museums, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Spy Museum, the Newseum, Holocaust Museum, and much more.

The hotel web site offers helpful information on local attractions, but the staff is eager to help answer whatever questions may remain. Before we decided to visit Udvar-Hazy that first evening, I was unsure of our options, directions, and distances. Although I posed a question that the concierge was unsure of, it was a matter of minutes before I received an answer and a printout to boot.

The luxurious Ritz-Carlton is celebrating its 20th year at Pentagon City in 2010. It proudly boasts of being Arlington’s only Mobil Four Star hotel and winner of the AAA Four Diamond Award each year since its opening. The Ritz first entertained guests in May of 1990, and was refurbished in 2007. In addition to the luxuries I was fortunate to experience, the Ritz-Carlton also has a fitness room, including a small pool, and dining at the exclusive fyve Restaurant Lounge.

The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, in Arlington, Virginia offers luxurious guest rooms, the exclusive fyve Restaurant Lounge and exceptional service, for business or leisure travel. Contact them at 703-415-5000 or browse online.