ELLSWORTH KELLY

On May 31 living art legend Ellsworth Kelly turns 90. To celebrate, museums around the country are paying homage to his myriad of accomplishments and vivid colors. One of our favorite places in Philadelphia, the Barnes Foundation, started the celebration earlier this month with a temporary display of his wall sculptures currently on display. In NYC the Museum of Modern Art will unveil a show dedicated to Kelly on May 22 featuring items from his iconic “Chatham” series. And finally DC will shine with a selection of panel paintings from June 22 at the National Gallery of Art. Don’t miss this magnifique art opportunity. 

The terrace of Sofitel DC is always the perfect location to download the week gone in magnifique style…. will you be joining us? 

The terrace of Sofitel DC is always the perfect location to download the week gone in magnifique style…. will you be joining us? 

HOME-MADE HONEY Our iconic DC hotel is buzzing with thousands of tiny new visitors: Bees. Following in the footsteps of the Sofitel managed Hotel Scribe in Paris’ Opéra district, we recently installed two hives on our roof, with the most mature one already containing 70,000 bees and counting.  They will help pollinate new trees around Lafayette Square and and the National Mall, as well as collect pollen and nectar from the spectacular DC gardens close to the hotel. Our location in DC is perfect for bees due to the huge variety of flowering plants - such as the 76 varieties of cherry trees that blossomed around the hotel last month. This means that the honey created will be  rich in taste,  reflecting this wonderful floral diversity. The honey produced will be used in our succulent pastries and delectable cocktails. More pictures and information will be posted as we move towards summer. How magnifique! 

HOME-MADE HONEY

Our iconic DC hotel is buzzing with thousands of tiny new visitors: Bees. Following in the footsteps of the Sofitel managed Hotel Scribe in Paris’ Opéra district, we recently installed two hives on our roof, with the most mature one already containing 70,000 bees and counting.  They will help pollinate new trees around Lafayette Square and and the National Mall, as well as collect pollen and nectar from the spectacular DC gardens close to the hotel. Our location in DC is perfect for bees due to the huge variety of flowering plants - such as the 76 varieties of cherry trees that blossomed around the hotel last month. This means that the honey created will be  rich in taste,  reflecting this wonderful floral diversity. The honey produced will be used in our succulent pastries and delectable cocktails. More pictures and information will be posted as we move towards summer. How magnifique! 

SECRETS OF DC The iconic vaulted and coffered metro stations of DC are examples of late-20th century modern architecture, and designed by Chicago architect Harry Weese. The vault feature, which equally distribute the weight above, negate the need for a box structure with columns, creating a much more open and spacious feel. The coffers are actually a method to reduce the weight load of the concrete, and they contain sound-absorbing panels. Another feature you will notice is the floating mezzanines above the platforms - not only are they elegant they are a clever way of keeping vandals and spray paint away from the coffered walls. Did you know that Weese’s design was the product of a 42-day, 16-city trip around the world to study other subway systems? Had the system been designed in 2013 and not 37 years ago, it would have been possible for Harry Weese to stay at a Sofitel in each and every city he visited…. How magnifique! 

SECRETS OF DC

The iconic vaulted and coffered metro stations of DC are examples of late-20th century modern architecture, and designed by Chicago architect Harry Weese. The vault feature, which equally distribute the weight above, negate the need for a box structure with columns, creating a much more open and spacious feel. The coffers are actually a method to reduce the weight load of the concrete, and they contain sound-absorbing panels. Another feature you will notice is the floating mezzanines above the platforms - not only are they elegant they are a clever way of keeping vandals and spray paint away from the coffered walls. Did you know that Weese’s design was the product of a 42-day, 16-city trip around the world to study other subway systems? Had the system been designed in 2013 and not 37 years ago, it would have been possible for Harry Weese to stay at a Sofitel in each and every city he visited…. How magnifique! 

Reblogged from "Hello. Can I shoot you?" 

WELL READ If you walk into a library space with artwork and titles on all of the things we love (design, architecture, art and fashion), you will know you have arrived at a Sofitel. #sofiteldc

WELL READ

If you walk into a library space with artwork and titles on all of the things we love (design, architecture, art and fashion), you will know you have arrived at a Sofitel. #sofiteldc

PRESIDENT’S PARK Located in the center of downtown Washington, DC, President’s Park includes the park land and gardens surrounding the White House. Amid the vibrant city life of our nation’s capital, President’s Park offers visitors restorative green space, awe-inspiring memorials, and the White House itself to contemplate as a symbol of the United States and democracy. The cosmopolitan allure of Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square is only steps from the White House and a short walk away are the National Mall, Smithsonian museums, and other cultural attractions, so you will always be well connected. And you have to agree that the tulips in bloom this morning around the White House are magnifique indeed!

PRESIDENT’S PARK

Located in the center of downtown Washington, DC, President’s Park includes the park land and gardens surrounding the White House. Amid the vibrant city life of our nation’s capital, President’s Park offers visitors restorative green space, awe-inspiring memorials, and the White House itself to contemplate as a symbol of the United States and democracy. The cosmopolitan allure of Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square is only steps from the White House and a short walk away are the National Mall, Smithsonian museums, and other cultural attractions, so you will always be well connected. And you have to agree that the tulips in bloom this morning around the White House are magnifique indeed!

DC BLOOMS Magnifique floral arrangements are one of our Sofitel hallmarks. It’s the little touches of unexpected delight that always welcome you back to Sofitel. 

DC BLOOMS

Magnifique floral arrangements are one of our Sofitel hallmarks. It’s the little touches of unexpected delight that always welcome you back to Sofitel. 

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS  Experience the world’s largest collection of knowledge, culture, and creativity at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Seen as the de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the USA, the DC landmark can also add “Grammy winner” to its list of achievements after the music industry honored the library with a special Grammy Award recently for its work over the past decade to preserve historic audio recordings. Come tour or visit this fascinating building, its books, and exhibitions on display.  (Photo by withering-humanity)

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

Experience the world’s largest collection of knowledge, culture, and creativity at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Seen as the de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the USA, the DC landmark can also add “Grammy winner” to its list of achievements after the music industry honored the library with a special Grammy Award recently for its work over the past decade to preserve historic audio recordings. Come tour or visit this fascinating building, its books, and exhibitions on display. 

(Photo by withering-humanity)

DC ART A review of our Tumblr would demonstrate that we are big fans of contemporary art. CONNERSMITH is unrivaled in DC as the place for art – the massive, flexible space has played host to Leo Villareal (also featured on our Tumblr) and video artist Federico Solmi to name just two. With 7,000-square feet of exhibition space and a rotation of some of the finest artists in the world as well as many DC up-and-coming stars, the gallery stands at the forefront of DC’s growing contemporary art movement. A must see in DC if you are in the market for some magnifique art like this Julie Roberts piece (‘Doll’s House’ oil on acrylic on linen, 2003).

DC ART

A review of our Tumblr would demonstrate that we are big fans of contemporary art. CONNERSMITH is unrivaled in DC as the place for art – the massive, flexible space has played host to Leo Villareal (also featured on our Tumblr) and video artist Federico Solmi to name just two. With 7,000-square feet of exhibition space and a rotation of some of the finest artists in the world as well as many DC up-and-coming stars, the gallery stands at the forefront of DC’s growing contemporary art movement. A must see in DC if you are in the market for some magnifique art like this Julie Roberts piece (‘Doll’s House’ oil on acrylic on linen, 2003).

ART OF A DIFFERENT KIND While many of our team at Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square are preparing for the highly anticipated ‘Elles by Gilles Bensimon’ exhibit arriving mid-May, Pastry Chef Vincent Bitauld has created art of his own with these magnifique trio of spring-like macarons in black olive, passion fruit and raspberry. Perfect for spring and for pure indulgence….

ART OF A DIFFERENT KIND

While many of our team at Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square are preparing for the highly anticipated ‘Elles by Gilles Bensimon’ exhibit arriving mid-May, Pastry Chef Vincent Bitauld has created art of his own with these magnifique trio of spring-like macarons in black olive, passion fruit and raspberry. Perfect for spring and for pure indulgence….