By Robert R. Bernstein
With the National Harbor becoming the new must-see spot in the Capital region, many people are wondering what they should sample first from the array of offerings at the development. For those who revel in luxury, pampering and excellent service the one recommended destination would definitely have to be the Gaylord National Resort and Conference Center.
Standard King Guest Room at Gaylord National
The Gaylord National is the largest hotel and conference center on the east coast and the largest hotel of its type without a casino. The atrium alone is 240 feet wide by 230 feet high and contains 2,000 individual pieces of glass. It has 2000 guest rooms and 474,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space. During a recent meeting of the U S Army Aviation Association, the aircraft on display were actually moved into its huge convention hall and there was space to spare!
The lodgings at the Gaylord definitely stay in step with the luxury of the facility.
The décor of the rooms feature nautical or federal motifs in colors of red, blue and gold, and appropriate artwork in keeping with the regional theme of the area and the hotel’s proximity to the nation’s capital. Each room boasts flat screen televisions, mini refrigerators and high-speed internet connections, well appointed bathrooms with double sinks, either walk-in showers with glass doors or large tubs, and high powered shower heads. Additionally each room has its own patio either facing inside the huge atrium or outside, with a view of the Potomac River.
Artisanal cheeses at the Old Hickory Steakhouse
The hotel has some of the best dining choices in the area. Of these, the finest restaurant is the Old Hickory Steakhouse. The ambiance of the Old Hickory reminds one of some of the signature steakhouses in the country. One of the special aspects of Old Hickory is its complete cheese course presided over by a maitre d’ fromage who is responsible for purchasing and aging some of the most select and rare artisanal cheeses from around the world. Appetizers include Caspian Sevruga or Osetra Caviar served with Swiss potato cake and an assortment of blinis, or try the butter poached Maine lobster which is served with foie gras and osetra caviar. Entrees include premium aged Black Angus steaks that are well marbled tender cuts broiled to the juicy perfection you desire. And to make sure they are to your liking, the waiter stands by to assure your approval. A vast collection of wines compliment the meal.
The entrees are the high point of the meal, but leave room for dessert. Try their warm chocolate mint soufflé, or their rum cake served with Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream. Other treats include flourless carrot cake and Black Forest Parfait. Just when one thinks the experience is over, out rolls the dessert wine cart offering some of the finest in sherry and other cordials and dessert wines from around the world. The Old Hickory is sure to become a place to keep in mind for all your very special family celebrations.
Entry to Moon Bay
If seafood is your choice for dinner, then try the Moon Bay Coastal Cuisine Seafood Restaurant. Its design is inspired by the Atlantic Coast fish markets and is said to have one of the best varieties of white wine in the region. The menu boasts some of the finest seafood choices with fresh fish flown in daily. Enjoy the jumbo lump crab cakes. With a side of spring succotash with paprika crème fraiche, these delicious cakes are not those bread crumb-stuffed disasters that seafood lovers sometimes have to endure.
If you are looking to have a light bite and a frosty glass of local brew, then the National Pastime Sports Bar is for you. The National Pastime has plenty of flat screens to allow patrons to watch their favorite teams in action. As you enter, you are greeted by a statue of Babe Ruth in his “follow-through” after hitting one of his many home runs. According to Gaylord staff, at some point in the near future a baseball will be lodged high above in the atrium at the highest point a home run ball would travel from the Babe Ruth statue.
For those who like to see and be seen, or those who want to work off those dinner calories, then the Pose Ultra Lounge is the spot. Situated on the hotel’s upper reaches, Pose is a two level dance club with excellent views of the entire region. Pose also features an infusion bar, a new twist on the shot. The infusion is a burst of exotic flavor injected into the shot making it truly a unique experience.
With its luxurious rooms, various restaurants offering fine and casual dining, exciting nightlife, and its ambience, the Gaylord National is surely the place to be at National Harbor.
Photos courtesy Gaylord National Resort
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