
The Watergate Hotel
Best for large events, riverfront views, and travelers who want a full-service D.C. hotel with a signature spa and rooftop bar.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
The Watergate Hotel is a large, five-star landmark hotel on the Foggy Bottom riverfront with multiple restaurants, event spaces, and a restored indoor saltwater pool; this guide is for travelers who want a dramatic, full-service Washington hotel near the Kennedy Center. Rosewood Washington, D.C. is a boutique five-star luxury hotel in Georgetown with about 49 rooms and both indoor and outdoor pools; read on if you prefer a smaller, quieter luxury base in Georgetown.
Updated · about 1.0 km apart

Best for large events, riverfront views, and travelers who want a full-service D.C. hotel with a signature spa and rooftop bar.

Best for travelers who want a quieter, intimate Georgetown base with boutique service, a rooftop terrace, and pool options in a small-property setting.
When The Watergate Hotel wins: choose The Watergate if you want dramatic Potomac/kennedy center views, a restored historic landmark property with many dining and event options, a sizable spa (Argentta) and an indoor saltwater pool — or if you need larger meeting/wedding spaces.
When Rosewood Washington, D.C. wins: choose Rosewood if you prefer a smaller, boutique luxury stay in the heart of Georgetown with an intimate atmosphere, free on-site bicycles, and both an indoor and outdoor pool on a compact property.
Bottom line: both are five-star, all-ages hotels near the Potomac; pick The Watergate for scale, landmark character, and bigger food-and-event offerings, and pick Rosewood for boutique calm, a Georgetown address, and a more residential, intimate feel.
| Category | The Watergate Hotel | Rosewood Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large landmark hotel with theatrical public spaces and a rooftop bar. | Small, boutique luxury hotel with an intimate Georgetown feel. |
| Location | Foggy Bottom riverfront, adjacent to the Kennedy Center; walkable to National Mall. | Centrally located in Georgetown, a short walk to Georgetown Waterfront Park and Potomac. |
| Size | 336 rooms and suites across 14 floors. | 49 individually decorated guestrooms. |
| Ages / Who it's good for | All ages welcome; registering guest must be 21+; family-friendly amenities and kid menu at Kingbird. | Family-friendly (supplier lists it as family-friendly); registering guest age policy not published here. |
| Pools | Indoor heated saltwater pool (restored original), no outdoor hotel pool. | Both an indoor pool and an outdoor pool are listed on supplier materials. |
| Spa & wellness | Argentta Spa with treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, whirlpool and 24-hour fitness center. | Spa services on site (supplier listing) and a fitness facility; details of signature treatments not published here. |
| Restaurants & bars | Kingbird (restaurant), The Next Whisky Bar, Top of the Gate rooftop lounge (seasonal). | CUT D.C. is the on-site restaurant; two bars/lounges are listed in supplier materials. |
| Known for | Historic Watergate Complex location, large event spaces, rooftop views, restored indoor pool and full-service spa. | Rosewood brand recognition, Georgetown boutique luxury and proximity to the waterfront and universities. |
| Event & meeting space | Extensive: over 27,000 sq ft of meeting/event space including the 6,819 sq ft Moretti Grand Ballroom and multiple terraces. | Conference space ~40 sq meters (430 sq ft) with one meeting room — suited to small meetings and events. |
| Parking | Valet parking only (overnight fees published); electric car charging station on site. | Valet parking available (surcharge) and covered parking listed by supplier. |
The Watergate Hotel sits inside the Watergate complex on the Foggy Bottom riverfront, next to the Kennedy Center and within easy walking distance of the National Mall.
Choose The Watergate for immediate Kennedy Center access and stronger riverfront/landmark proximity.
Rosewood Washington, D.C. is in central Georgetown, a short walk to the Georgetown Waterfront Park and the Potomac; it's well placed for shopping and the neighborhood's restaurants.
Choose Rosewood for a true Georgetown address and easy waterfront walks without the scale of a large hotel.
The Watergate has 336 rooms and suites across 14 floors, with many river-view and balcony options.
The Watergate is the choice if you want more room-type variety and river-view suites.
Rosewood Washington, D.C. has 49 individually decorated guestrooms, with several suite and townhouse-style room types on offer.
Rosewood suits travelers who prefer boutique, individually styled rooms and a smaller guest count.
The Watergate offers multiple on-site dining and drinking venues, anchored by Kingbird and the seasonal rooftop Top of the Gate.
Pick The Watergate if you want more on-site dining/bar variety and a rooftop scene with city views.
Rosewood's on-site restaurant is CUT D.C., and the property lists two bars/lounges; the hotel also offers a rooftop terrace.
Choose Rosewood if you want high-end restaurant service in a boutique setting rather than multiple large venues.
The Watergate's signature wellness amenity is Argentta Spa with its restored indoor heated saltwater pool.
The Watergate is ideal if an architecturally notable indoor saltwater pool and a full spa program matter most.
Rosewood lists both an indoor pool and an outdoor pool among its facilities and features spa services on site.
Rosewood offers the convenience of both indoor and outdoor pool options on a small-property scale.
The Watergate combines a full-service spa with hotel nightlife options including whisky bar and rooftop seasonal lounge.
The Watergate blends a comprehensive spa program with on-site evening venues and easy access to D.C. performing arts.
Rosewood's smaller size means fewer nightlife options on-site, but it has bars/lounges, a rooftop terrace, and a quieter evening atmosphere.
Rosewood suits visitors who want quieter, local nightlife and a smaller on-site bar program.

The Watergate's extensive meeting and event spaces, including the 6,819 sq ft Moretti Grand Ballroom and multiple terraces, make it the stronger choice for larger gatherings.

Rosewood offers a small-property, locally focused luxury experience in central Georgetown with individually decorated rooms.

Argentta Spa and the restored indoor heated saltwater pool at The Watergate are distinctive features tied to the hotel's history.

Rosewood lists both an outdoor and an indoor pool on supplier materials, giving you outdoor-swim options without a large resort footprint.
The Watergate Hotel is adjacent to the Kennedy Center (about a 5–8 minute walk); Rosewood is a longer walk from the Kennedy Center.
Yes. The Watergate explicitly lists kid-friendly amenities and a children's menu at Kingbird; Rosewood is described as family-friendly in supplier details. Note that The Watergate requires the registering guest to be 21+.
The Watergate has multiple venues (Kingbird, The Next Whisky Bar, and the seasonal Top of the Gate rooftop). Rosewood lists CUT D.C. and two bars/lounges.
At The Watergate, pool and many spa facility areas (sauna, steam room, whirlpool) are included for hotel guests while treatments are paid. Rosewood lists spa services on site; specific inclusion policies for facilities are not fully published in the supplier listing.
Explore how The Watergate Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·