4 Hotel Rooftops for Events and Group Entertaining

July 1, 2010

Summer is here and many of the area’s hotel rooftops are open for business. Here’s a look at four spaces for entertaining groups.

1. P.O.V./Altitude Ballroom

Atop the W Washington, P.O.V. (Point of View) and the Altitude Ballroom are two of several stylish rooms available for events at the hotel, with bird's-eye views of the Capitol, the National Mall, and the White House. The 2,500-square-foot ballroom can hold 450 people for cocktails or seat 220 and includes a 500-square-foot terrace. P.O.V. offers indoor and outdoor spaces designed by Dianna Wong and a specialized cocktail and beverage menu created by mixologist Sasha Petraske. The 2,000-square-foot indoor lounge can hold 150 people, and the 3,000-square-foot terrace can accommodate 450 for cocktails.

2. Lorien Hotel and Spa
Just across the Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria, Kimpton's Lorien Hotel and Spa boasts three terraces connected to suites on the sixth floor. Each of the three spaces can seat 50 for dinner or hold 70 for a cocktail reception. The hotel’s in-house restaurant, Brabo, helmed by chef Robert Wiedmaier, provides the catering.

3. A.D.C.
A hipper alternative to the more classic Washington rooftop spaces is the Donovan House’s rooftop pool and lounge, A.D.C. (Above D.C.). A local hot spot since 2008, the 5,730-square-foot space can host events for as many as 180 people and includes a bar and Asian-inspired cuisine from chef Susur Lee’s restaurant Zentan.

4. Pose Ultra Lounge
Perched atop the Gaylord National Hotel, this two-story lounge and nightclub features views of Alexandria and the nation's capital through 18-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows or from the wraparound terrace. With a separate V.I.P. level, a dedicated kitchen, and a private elevator, the lounge can host groups of 10 to 550 people in a variety of private and semiprivate setups.