Here's a closer look at Washington, D.C.'s newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this fall. The new and renovated Washington, D.C., venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Courtyard by Marriott Washington Capitol Hill/Navy Yard
In September, Courtyard by Marriott Washington Capitol Hill/Navy Yard—located in the heart of the city’s Navy Yard neighborhood—completed a comprehensive property renovation. The transformation includes a refreshed aesthetic, upgraded amenities, and enhanced meeting and event capabilities. The property now boasts 3,762 square feet of fully renovated event space, including five venues with floor-to-ceiling windows, ergonomic seating, upgraded LED monitors and sound systems, and customizable table configurations. Each venue also offers access to balcony space, ideal for cocktail receptions and breakouts.
Photo: Courtesy of Courtyard by Marriott Washington Capitol Hill/Navy Yard
The Westin Washington, DC Downtown
The Renaissance hotel in downtown D.C. has been rebranded to The Westin Washington, DC Downtown, as part of an $80 million investment by ownership group Sunstone Hotel Investors. The 807-room hotel's architecture and design elements draw inspiration from Potomac stone, which is native to the D.C. area. The property offers more than 65,000 square feet of event space, with 32 event rooms and a 19,000-square-foot grand ballroom. On-site dining includes Root and Vine, an open-kitchen concept that serves locally sourced menus, botanical-inspired cocktails, and a biodynamic wine program. The hotel also has a convenient grab-and-go "wellness market."
Photo: Courtesy of The Westin Washington, DC Downtown
Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles
In October, Marriott completed a major renovation to Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles. The four-story hotel—located in Chantilly, Va., just minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport—has a new look with upgraded amenities and enhanced meeting and event spaces. This includes the total renovation of all guest rooms and suites, 21 event rooms, all public spaces, and the addition of six pickleball courts and six tennis courts. The hotel features more than 60,000 square feet of modernized event space. The upgraded Grand Dominion ballroom is ideal for conferences with a capacity of up to 1,100 people. The Fairfax room offers abundant natural lighting, chandeliers, and two adjoining rooms, perfect for banquets and galas.
Photo: Courtesy of Marriott International
Hotel AKA Alexandria
With its opening in April, Hotel AKA Alexandria is one of the newest and one of the only luxury hotels in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. Located just 20 minutes from D.C., the property boasts a variety of expansive meeting and event spaces, making it an ideal alternative for a DMV-based meeting venue. Designed by Italian architect Piero Lissoni of Lissoni New York, the hotel blends modern minimalism with midcentury elements. Its extensive art collection can partly be found in the conference spaces. The hotel's state-of-the-art conference center includes a 2,200-square-foot ballroom with an additional 900-square-foot prefunction welcome area. Planners can use the property's terrace, surrounded by garden views and lush natural greenery, as a unique outdoor venue. The hotel's 180 guest rooms can also be bought out by corporate groups for meetings, retreats, and other events.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel AKA Alexandria
National Museum of Women in the Arts
The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA)—the world’s first major museum solely dedicated to championing women artists—reopened in October after a two-year renovation. As part of the upgrade, NMWA reimagined its historic home as a place to offer flexible exhibition spaces for immersive exhibitions, a versatile studio/classroom area, and improved accessibility for visitors. The new Gloria and Dan Logan Learning Commons features the Susan Swartz Studio, which provides space to host hands-on workshops, open studio sessions, school groups, and curated conversations. The Mars Performance Hall is upgraded with state-of-the-art technology and new furnishings to enhance the presentation of talks, films, and performances.
Photo: Jennifer Hughes
The Crossvines
The Crossvines is a picturesque winery, events venue, research vineyard, and dining destination all in one. It opened its doors in Poolesville, Md. (about an hour from Washington, D.C.), in July. In addition to a fully operational winery, the property features an expansive event venue and restaurant, The Farmhouse Bistro, led by executive chef Luis Montesinos, a Montgomery County native and an alum of José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup. Nestled on a sprawling 388 acres on a lush hillside, The Crossvines can host meetings, events, and receptions of all sizes, with landscaped gardens, a pond, rolling hills of vineyards, an 18-hole golf course, and the on-site restaurant.
Photo: Courtesy of The Crossvines
