Georgetown Ritz Carlton: History Abounds

Trisha Ventker

Georgetown Ritz Carlton: History Abounds

Trisha Ventker

Visiting the Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. I’m in the midst of timeless history and feel virtually surrounded by the historic personalities and notable achievers that have shaped our country. It’s a long overdue experience for me and my friend Lisa. Studying history in school sets the imagination a flight, but to experience it first hand is exceptional. It appears to me that every building has a story that could fill a book, as well as the nearby Potomac River, rich in American history. Our first president, George Washington, was born and spent most of his life within the Potomac basin and even surveyed the momentous river.

Walking in the footsteps of vanished time, I sense life and antiquity surging round me like an enormous blanket, and even the plush Ritz-Carlton has history to share. The elegant fivestar hotel, a Marriott property, was created from a former industrial building dating to 1932, built during the depression when Franklin D. Roosevelt was president. Smartly, Ritz-Carlton has retained much of the original building with some interior red brick placements, along with the soaring 140-foot brick smokestack originating from the lobby fireplace, unique to Georgetown, and any other hotel in this part of the world. The property opened in 2003, and to me is classified as a luxury boutique booking with only 83 rooms, mine nicely appointed extending a broad aesthetic sophistication with products from the Parisian Diptyque Spa Collection in the bathroom.

Dining with Executive Chef Victoria Montenegro’s Innovations

I had read about the Ritz-Carlton service and was eager to see if the reviews were accurate. Our server in Degrees Bistro was Edward, a Peruvian, and he was top notch, as was Executive Chef Victoria Montenegro, highly trained, and creating cuisine with a touch of joy and flavors from land and sea. Noted for their craft cocktails, I sipped a tasty Mezcal creation that recalled visits to Mexico, and Lisa’s selection was the Casaba Breeze with house infused melon, kiwi, and watermelon vodka, all refreshing on a hot day. Appetizers were fresh and succulent, the Spring Crab Cakes with a citrus salad, segments of orange and lime that added a tangy essence, and a dab of old bay cream was delightful. The crispy Brussel Sprouts were nicely prepared with a sweet chili sauce and Tajin, a mild chili, peppers and lime seasoning, popular in Mexico. A house specialty tagged the George Town Cigar, is delivered to table in a wood box prepared with a slice of short rib and sofrito, which is a flavorful blend of tomatoes, onion, peppers, cilantro and garlic, blackberry gelee compote, a pastry roll, and touched with fog smoke.

With a painful lower back that can be aggravated if I turned the wrong way, and often pulsating like a toothache, I booked a massage at the full-service spa that was abundantly relaxing. Diego, the technician, was especially helpful while the room and spa were quite lovely and cozy. Walking to my room, my lower back was greatly improved and thankfully, not raising a fuss. Diego’s spa treatment was a big boost for the day, and a wonderful bonus.