watergate hotel scandal room

2021/05/21

My eyes were immediately drawn to the antique desk at the far end, which looked like itd been pulled straight out of an office from the 1970s. She added a bold, red couch, a place guests can create their owntroubleif they choose. Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Some of the many details found in the newly renovated room include framed quotes, original newspapers, and magazine covers, each focused on the break-in and President Richard Nixons impeachment. The Watergate Scandal Room 214 isavailable to book as of October 20th. Which TikTok airport travel hacks work and which ones will just get you into trouble? I found myself moving the door position for at least 10 minutes, fascinated by the look and feel of the piece.

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This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Seeing the Scandal Room for yourself whether through a free tour or a paid stay is an only in D.C. experience worth having. "Because of the infamous break-in 45 years ago, The Watergate Hotel has been a household name with a scandalous past that can't be ignored," said Rakel Cohen, senior vice president of Design & Development and co-owner of The Watergate Hotel in a statement. Follow this author to improve your content experience. She filled one wall with framed newspaper clippings from the scandal. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I rarely spend more than $450 a night for a room anywhere I travel, and those bookings typically come with some added perks like complimentary breakfast (or snacks) and room upgrades thanks to my elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy and IHG One Rewards programs. On the heels of the 45th anniversary of our nations biggest political scandal, one of Washington D.C.s most chic and infamous addresses is making headlines again. In the bookshelves, there are books on Nixon, while on the desk, there is a vintage recording device and a working typewriter. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2022 Forbes Media LLC. A spa-like bathroom with custom amenities and two custom Cover Up robes to enjoy during your stay. I would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. EFE/EPA/WILL OLIVER EPA-EFE/WILL OLIVER. Even the coasters by the bed featured a playful nod to the building. (From there, they remained in contact with those involved in the scandal via radio while the burglary at the Democratic National Committee in the adjacent Watergate Complex was under way.) The redistribution and rebroadcasting of all or part of the content of EFE services is strictly prohibited without the prior expressed consent of EFE, S.A. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Smithsonian Institutions National Portrait Gallery, which youll find in D.C.s Penn Quarter neighborhood, is offering a temporary exhibit titled Watergate: Portraiture and Intrigue featuring a collection of visuals depicting the politicians linked to the break-in. Just in time for the 45th anniversary of the notorious Watergate Hotel break-in, the Watergate Hotel has teamed up with Lyn Paolo, the costume designer of the Shondaland hit series Scandal and the John Well's show Shameless, to redesign room 214. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, The Platinum Card from American Express, For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets, Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels, Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases, 80,000 Points are redeemable for $800 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com, No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card. Paolo, who is also the designer for the Showtime series Shameless, collaborated with Watergate Hotel co-owner Rakel Cohen to preserve the iconic room's history while modernizing the space. Its on display until Sept. 5. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Read quite a few books. The property recently unveiled a remodel of Watergate Scandal Room 214, envisioned by Scandal costume designer Lyn Paolo. While the Watergate scandal of June 17, 1972, took place more than 15 years before I was born, as a resident of the DMV D.C. and its Maryland and Virginia suburbs for the past seven years and a self-professed history nerd and political junkie, Ive long wondered what lay inside this ugly complex Ive passed more times than I can count. The Points Guy will not sell your email.

All rights reserved. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. A post shared by Scandal Official Account (@scandalabc) on Jul 21, 2017 at 2:41pm PDT, Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Despite 50 years passing since the infamous break-in that took place at Watergate during the Nixon administration, the incident remains a fascinating piece of American history. Had I not booked Room 205 (formerly Room 214 at the historic property) and known the significance of it, I wouldve walked right past it unaware of what was inside. The Best Home Deals to Shop Before Nordstroms Anniversary Sale Ends This Sunday, Inside the New $10M Toca Madera Restaurant in Las Vegas, David Blaine Is Bringing His Magic Show to Las Vegas Strip for the First Time, Inside Chef Tetsuya Wakudas First U.S. For trivia buffs, during the remodel the room number was changed to 205, although it is still referenced as 214. Linda Kearns, vice president of branding and communication for the costume designer division at Matchbook, set up the collaboration between Paolo and Rakel Cohen, co-owner of the hotel and its senior vice president of design and development. A little bit quirky and a little bit fun. It does not store any personal data. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. EFE/EPA/WILL OLIVER, A view of some of the decor inside the Scandal Room, which first opened in 2017 and "offers a unique experience for those who want to see with their own eyes where the Watergate" break-in was coordinated, the Managing Director of The Watergate Hotel, Spain's Manuel Martinez, said in an interview with Efe. I like the beginning and the end. Because my stay was so short, I didnt get a chance to use the pool, 24-hour fitness center, loaner bikes or other amenities covered in the resort fee, but admittedly, theyre not ones Id likely take advantage of during a longer stay anyway. For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. A drab fixture of an otherwise stunning skyline full of marble-clad monuments, charming brick buildings and an expansive performing arts center, the six towers of Washington, D.C.s Watergate complex are far from appealing to the eye. Throughout our stay, I marveled at the incredible attention to detail evident everywhere I turned. All Rights Reserved. Instead of heavy materials in uninspired hues, the hotel lobby features a mix of bold design elements with a midcentury modern flair, such as a long brass reception desk and a cool bar with bright red chairs and a curved wall of empty glass bottles. Who would be Cohens top choice for a celebrity to stay in the room? This isnt the first time that The Watergate Hotel has collaborated with Hollywood costume design royalty. Please view our advertising policy page for more information.

"We pay homage to the past with small details throughout the property.. 12 D.C. area hikes worth traveling to, mapped. Ode to infamous break-in in Watergate Hotel room 214, a wall of news clippings from the time of the break-in, several furniture pieces reminiscent of the 1970s. The Watergate Hotel's Room 214 Gets a Makeover by Scandal Costume Designer Lyn Paolo [Architectural Digest]. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The show is in its last season, and Paolo used her experience to make guests staying in theWatergate Scandal Room 214feel like they are part of history. Once the suspicious activity was discovered by a security guard, the police were called, the famous cover-up ensued, and, eventually, it led to the 1974 resignation of U.S. President Richard Nixon just before impeachment proceedings were due to begin. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser.

An unexpected find in the Lyn Paolo-designed room whom you may know as the costume designer for TV shows like Inventing Anna, Little Fires Everywhere and, of course, political dramas like Scandal and The West Wing the vintage piece from Mosler Safe Company was just as hefty to open (and close) as it appeared. Architectural Digest: What did you think when you were approached by the Watergate Hotel to help design this Scandal Room 214? Although I did receive free internet access as a result of my entry-level Insider status in the I Prefer Hotel Rewards program, that perk did little to soften the blow of the Scandal Rooms nightly rate. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. In the beginning, we werent thinking that it would interest guests but we got so many requests and people trying to book it, Cohen says. binoculars (for looking out for futureburglars), a typewriter (for writing up the story if it does happen), and a record and cassette player (for entertainment in case no scandals occur.) Now known as the "Scandal Room," everything inside the Watergate Hotel's former Room 214 evokes the failed spying operation planned and carried out by Nixon's re-election campaign. I was thrilled to do it and super excited, Paolo says.

Rather than stay in the Scandal Room itself, you can reserve a much cheaper Superior Room (which can be booked for as little as $240 per night on select dates this summer) and request a free tour of the Scandal Room. What elements did you bring in to do so? Id run around L.A. and did a lot of research on lines of furniture and vintage fabrics., The 450-square-foot room with balcony faces The Watergate office building and incorporates many historical artifacts. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. We found an amazing metal desk by Twenty Gauge that really felt like it could have been in the Watergate offices of the Democratic National Committee, and we found newspaper articles and quotes from the period and Scandal that now adorn the walls of the room.

Modern amenities are also included a 48" flat screen TV with episodes of Scandal available for viewing. Restaurant in Las Vegas, A Hollywood Stylist's Guide to Dressing Creative and Corporate Execs, A post shared by Scandal Official Account (, Emmys 2022: Where to Watch All of the Nominated TV Series Online, Lena Dunham Says the Uprising of Dialogue Destigmatizing Abortion Makes Her Hopeful Following the Overturning of Roe v. Wade, Report: To Kill a Mockingbird Will Not Return to Broadway Due to Scott Rudin, The Doors Drummer John Densmores Former Hollywood Hills Home Lists for $2.19M, Events of the Week: House of the Dragon, Thirteen Lives and More, The Best Long-Lasting Lipsticks Approved by Hollywood Makeup Artists, The Best Air Purifiers to Help You Breathe and Sleep Better, The Best Workout Tops and Shorts Sets for Summer, Sydney Sweeney on Fame, Hollywood Fakery and the Pressure of Paying the Bills, Daniel Kaluuya Is Cool to Keep You Guessing, The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News. But now there's even one more reason to visit the commemorative space: On Thursday, October 19, the Watergate Hotel will unveil a new version of its signature guest room, which has been redesigned by Scandal costume designer Lyn Paolo. Rakel and I also loved an amazing sofa from In Style Modern Inc. that we upholstered in red leather to give the room that vintage "scandalous" pop of red. EFE/EPA/WILL OLIVER, A view of the Watergate Hotel and Office Complex in Washington DC. This room has been decorated in collaboration with Lyn Paolo, the costume designer for Scandal and contains items from the Watergate Scandal period. Just this week, the Watergate Hotel unveiled The Watergate Scandal Room 214, which embraces the historic break-in with design elements created by Emmy-winning Hollywood costume designer Lyn Paolo, along with Rakel Cohen, co-owner of the hotel and senior vice president of design and development.

Can a five-star hotel really incorporate the buildings ties to the political crime of the century in a tasteful way while offering luxe amenities and an upscale atmosphere that somehow mesh with its uninspired exterior? You may opt-out by.

She relished focusing on real-life drama, not just fictional affairs. Other design elements include an old-fashioned tape recorder, a library with everything Nixon and terry cloth bathrobes that read cover-up. If you take a book, theres a stamp inside that says stolen from The Watergate, Paolo says. The hotel certainly hopes the room will serve as a fun place where the next chapters of American scandal will be written. In the room, on a desk from the '70s, sheplaced old-fashionedbinoculars (for looking out for futureburglars), a typewriter (for writing up the story if it does happen), and a record and cassette player (for entertainment in case no scandals occur.) Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 2022 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. But since the room was ours for the night, I stopped, swiped my keycard and entered. Today, the hotel is going one step further by unveiling asignature roomdedicated to America's favorite Scandal. Soon after it became the home for congressmen and Supreme Court Justices who partied late into the night with actors, models, and musicians, no doubt causing their own mischief. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter.

But the cold concrete facade and chunky balcony railings which look more like bottom rows of teeth than railings outside highly sought-after condos, mostly occupied offices and luxury hotel rooms feel out of place in a city packed with architectural treasures. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The question on everyones mind: what will they do with room 214? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It was so fun to do something different, she says. Now it offers a chance with a starting price tag of $800 per night to spend some time in a location where history was made. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. AD: Were you aware of the rooms history before you were brought on for the project? Without hesitation Kerry Washington, she says. 17 military monuments, museums, and memorials in the D.C. area. Room 214 has been designed with soft furnishings, in-room amenities and closet items that highlight the propertys significant history, including: Clever nods to its infamous past can be found throughout the hotel, including no need to break-in inscriptions on room keycards, a phone number that alludes to the break-in date (1-844-617-1972) and hold music with Nixon speeches. var roomsJSON = roomsJSON || {}; roomsJSON[862] = {}; roomsJSON[862]['images'] = []; roomsJSON[862]['images'][0] = {}; roomsJSON[862]['images'][0]['full'] = "//d2ths6zwwqszt7.cloudfront.net/thewatergatehotel.com-4213033814/cms/cache/v2/59ee78e8ea833.jpg/1920x1080/fit;c:0,0,1143,1142/80/9390be8804dce2621b45042707421b95.jpg"; roomsJSON[862]['images'][0]['caption'] = ""; roomsJSON[862]['images'][0]['thumb'] = "//d2ths6zwwqszt7.cloudfront.net/thewatergatehotel.com-4213033814/cms/cache/v2/59ee78e8ea833.jpg/1152x550/fit;c:0,0,1143,1142/80/34f7c8b126fa3aa62303e06cc3ba5cb5.jpg"; roomsJSON[862]['images'][0]['retina'] = "//d2ths6zwwqszt7.cloudfront.net/thewatergatehotel.com-4213033814/cms/cache/v2/59ee78e8ea833.jpg/1920x1080/fit;c:0,0,1143,1142/80/9390be8804dce2621b45042707421b95.jpg"; Originally Room 214 - used in the 1972 Watergate break in. Keycards are inscribed with the phrase no need to break in; the phone number is a play on the break-in date, 1-844-617-1972; and expect to hear Nixon speeches as the hold music. The hotel certainly hopes the room will serve as a fun place where the next chapters of American scandal will be written. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Instead of there being hold-music, callers will get to hear Nixon speeches. I am such a history buff and a political news junkie. See, 11 therapy dogs and a pig, cat and rabbit are calming pre-flight stress at SFO, Disneyland Paris is now home to a new Avengers Campus Heres what its like. When she was in darker moods, arranging the fate of the country like a puppeteer, she wore edgier, black looks. One of our employees had some old newspapers that her mother kept on the break-in, so we had them all framed, Cohen says. I love interior design, politics and of course I am inspired to help design a room with such a scandalous history," shesaid in a press release.Working with Rakel on this project is an unexpected dream, and it is the perfect fit for my next design adventure..

Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. Old-school desk accessories, including a red stapler, a Rolodex and a mint green manual typewriter, sat atop the vintage piece of furniture alongside a reel-to-reel tape recorder, an homage to the Nixon White House tapes that ultimately swayed Nixons decision to resign. October 20, 2017 - Categories: Hospitality News. And the desk is of the era. Priced at $800 per night, get an inside look at one of Washington, D.C.s most famous guestrooms. Ad Choices, Brad Pitt Buys Historic Seaside Bungalow for $40 Million, This 350-Square-Foot Silver Lake Shed Became an Expressive ADU, Overhead Lofts Leveled Up These 6 Renovated Homes, Tour a San Francisco Victorian-Era Home With Four Fireplaces, When giving a refresh to a century-old house, designer Michael Hilal opted for warm minimalism, Tour 9 Super-Private New York City Outdoor Spaces, From penthouse terraces to green-filled brownstone backyards, the Big Apple has plenty of luxurious outdoor spaces to offer, This Apartment in Madrid Packs a Punch in Just 970 Square Feet. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Plus, earn 3 ThankYou points per $1 at gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets and on air travel and hotels. While tours are only available when Room 205 is unoccupied, the rooms high price tag means theres a solid chance the space will be vacant when you visit. When the hotel opened guests kept asking about Room 214, the headquarters for the Watergate break-in team. The fact that it is also the 45th anniversary of the notorious Watergate break-in only added to my sense of excitement. She filled one wall with framed newspaper clippings from the scandal. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". From Mount Vernon Trail to the Capital Crescent Trail, see what the area has in store for those who like to explore in the great outdoors. 2022 Cond Nast. I quickly got lost in the articles hanging by the door, scanning the Watergate stories on display to soak up as much as possible about the break-in, the subsequent impeachment hearings and Nixons departure from office. Vacation In Hawaii Like A Homeowner With Destination Residences Hawaii, This Ranch In Wyoming Comes With Its Own Air Strip And Guest Lodge, Award-Winning Architect Reimagines The Hotels Of The Future, Five-Star Hotel Chef Shares Tips For Creating A Kitchen Garden At Home, Experience A Five Star Hotel At Home With These Recipes From Red Carnation Hotel Collection, The Travel Trend Of The Future: Luxury Resorts That Grow Their Own Food, Spring Break Vacations For The Whole Family, Airbnb Invites You To Sleep In A Spaceship. Where to honor U.S. veterans and military members in and around the nations capital. LP: Oh my goodness, I was well aware of the history, although the actual room number was not on my radar. The hotel, which reopened in 2016 after a $125 million renovation and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, takes a tongue in cheek approach to its sordid past. This is the hotel room where E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy stationed themselves as a team of burglars attempted a break-in at the Democratic National Committee in The Watergate Complex. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. A Crosley Dansette Bermuda Turntable also stood propped up nearby, though I quickly moved on from it once I discovered the flimsiness of the records and realized I wasnt able to play them on the 60s-inspired record player. In a city full of historical buildings, it takes a lot to stand out from the rest. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. I always love that.. And across the country in Southern California, you can check out Yorba Lindas Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, where a permanent gallery about Watergate delves into the history of the event. However, it wasnt until I looked at my room key after checking in that I discovered my first break-in reference: No need to break in was printed on the front side. Architectural Digest may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. I am a huge political junkie, and the thought of working with Rakel Cohen, the owner and senior vice president of design and development at the hotel, and actually getting to stand in Room 214 of the Watergate was a huge thrill. Last year the complex received a $200 million facelift that turned it into a quirky, luxury hotel. LP: I am a huge fan of any kind of spy or thriller fiction and also biographies so I will always err on the side of talking about the small library of relevant books that are inside the room: In Nixon's Web, The Secret Man by Bob Woodward, et cetera. When Architectural Digest asked Paolo why she took on the job to redesign the interior of the D.C. hotels room, she said, As a design experience, it was so out of the ordinary for me as a costume designer, and I loved the challenge.. LP: As well as designing the space to "feel" like you were stepping back in time, Rakel and I also added little touches that would remind one of the DNC office space: a midcentury steno chair; a vintage red Ericofon phone to ring room service, a Crosley record player so you can spin tunes from the period. Then we added some books, binoculars and a typewriter and record player with some old music.. Username can contain any letters or numbers, without spaces, We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. AD: What is your overall favorite item in the room and where did you find it? While the room itself was fantastic and full of one-of-a-kind touches youll only get at this hotel in this specific room, know that theres a high cost to experiencing the space in this way. Not stuffy its not a museum., [We] came up with the idea to design it as an office [from] that time, Cohen says. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. The curved design incorporated throughout to maximize views of the surrounding parks and adjacent Potomac River is no doubt interesting. Know, though, that there are other ways to learn more about that pivotal political moment if youre unable to stay at The Watergate Hotel. Fortunately, I later learned that theres another way to access Room 205 for a lot less. But, the inspiration of doing something new and exercising your brain and thinking differently.

With the sweet taste of the hospitality world on her palate, Paolo isnt ruling out other interiors projects. The hotel's main phone number includes thebreak-in date(844-617-1972.) A quick guide to electric scooters, bikes, and mopeds in D.C. Getting around the nations capital on two wheels is easier than ever. The room, which sets itself apart from others in the hotel due to its distinct look, boasts a number of items reminiscent of the political scandal President Richard Nixon attempted to cover up: binoculars, a typewriter, a cassette tape player, and several pieces of furniture serve as a throwback to the 1970s. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Throughout the seven seasons of the television show Paolo used design and aesthetics to help move the plot along. Forty-five years later, the room is still a draw for history lovers. I had assumed similar details would be evident when I arrived. Wanting to invoke its past, the hotel keeps adding scandalous elements to the guest experience. Newspaper clippings, White House photos, famous Nixon quotes and even copies of official resignation documents lined the entryway. AD: Are there any little interesting things in the room you think a one-night guest may not notice that we should point out?

You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. At a price of around $1,500 per night, the redesigned Scandal Room, first opened in 2017, "offers a unique experience for those who want to see with their own eyes where the Watergate" break-in was coordinated, the managing director of the hotel, Spain's Manuel Martinez, told Efe.