Drink in a Vault and Sleep in a First Lady Suite at This Bank-Turned-Hotel in DC

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A D.C. hotel that looks official but doesn’t take itself too seriously—and lands you near all the major tourist stops.

Almost every building in Washington, D.C., has a story, and the Riggs Washington DC hotel, located at the bustling intersection of 9th and F streets in Penn Quarter, is no exception. Once you’ve stepped inside the unassuming Richardsonian Romanesque structure, it instantly reveals its past.

From 1891 to the early 2000s, Riggs served as a bank, proudly handling the finances of several presidents—23, to be exact—in addition to those of senators, embassies, generals and leaders of the women’s suffrage movement. And that history is evident everywhere you look, from the bank’s original gold-trimmed light fixtures to the grand columns and ornate ceilings (and that’s just in the lobby). But that doesn’t mean the hotel is stuck in the past—in fact, the old boardroom has been turned into a suite, and the vault now serves as a top-rated bar.

With creative repurposing and fun, colorful design, Riggs Washington DC pays homage to its former life while also looking to the future. Classic European touches (marble and ceramics) mix with Art Deco accents (pendant chandeliers and mirrored walls), and throughout the common areas, you’ll find a rich sapphire, ruby and gold color palette, along with tasseled and bedazzled seating. It all adds up to a hotel that, despite its buttoned-up backstory, is down to have a good time.

And guests—a mix of business regulars and couples visiting from out of town—are as well, choosing to stay on property for coworking at Café Riggs and playful cocktails at Silver Lyan. When they do decide to venture out, they’re right in downtown D.C., within walking distance of sports, shopping and museums like the National Portrait Gallery (not to mention every single metro line, should they want to explore farther).

In a city that’s constantly reinventing itself, Riggs offers an ideal base to observe the city’s past, present and future, and let your hair down while doing it.

The Essentials

The Location

Set in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of downtown D.C., the Riggs is near almost everything you’ll want to see and experience during your trip. Across the street, you’ll find the National Portrait Gallery and around the corner, Ford’s Theatre. Walk 15 minutes west and end up at the White House, or 15 minutes south for standards like the National Museum of Natural History, the National Gallery of Art and the National Air and Space Museum. You’re also two blocks from the city’s main sports arena, which doubles as a concert venue and the home of the sports teams the Washington Capitals and Wizards.

The Rooms

Just like the common spaces, the rooms nod to the building’s history as a bank, with details like working vintage telephones, gold banker’s lamps and minibars modeled after bank safes. Wallpaper and headboards in swirls of burgundy, olive green and silver add personality, while bathrooms bring the luxury with Carrara marble tiles and floors. Don’t overpack on the toiletries, either—the hotel’s partnership with the fragrance brand D.S. & Durga means you’ll get to lather up with the popular Debaser scent. Rooms range from the cozy Classic to the Superior to the largest of the three, the Deluxe.

While the hotel has several different types of suites, the real showstoppers are the four colorful ones inspired by different First Ladies, which tout features like freestanding tubs or separate living rooms. The bright pink, floral-forward Ida McKinley Suite and the blue-and-white, porcelain-themed Caroline Harrison Suite are guest favorites and should be booked well in advance if you’re looking for something a little more special.

The Bars and Restaurants

When hunger strikes, head to Café Riggs, the hotel’s French-inspired bistro. The restaurant features the original Corinthian columns that once lined the bank’s hall, plus a towering floral sculpture made of paper and enclosed in a large glass case. This is where you’ll enjoy your daily breakfast, but it’s also a great spot for dinner; order the lobster mac and cheese to start, then maybe the scallops, cooked to perfection and served in a brown-butter sauce.

In the old bank vault, you’ll find Silver Lyan, a cocktail playground conceived by master mixer Ryan Chetiyawardana. A word of warning: This is not your typical bar. Instead of simple syrup and triple sec, for instance, you’ll find ingredients like beeswax, kiwi ketchup and even fish-sauce sherbet on the cocktail list. Before you get too serious about your order, though, know that you can’t go wrong with the shots menu, with options like the lacto-lemon drop, served with a side of tots and buttermilk ranch. Once you settle your check, you’ll receive a silver chocolate coin to commemorate your visit.

The Standout Feature

Sip on cocktails next to the trophies of female athletes in the back room of Silver Lyan.

While U.S. presidents may have made The Riggs National Bank building famous, it’s the great women behind them who are the inspiration here. From the First Lady–themed suites to the trophy room in Silver Lyan, showcasing the winnings of female athletes, Riggs is focused on celebrating the achievements of women throughout time.

The Time to Go

For good weather and fewer crowds, head to D.C. in the fall and spring (after cherry blossom season ends around mid-April, of course).

The Vibe

Every cocktail at Silver Lyan has its own creation story.

The movie that could be filmed here: A dramatic mystery (or bank heist) set in the old bank vault.

Item worth raiding the minibar for: The mini Project Manhattan, a Silver Lyan prepackaged cocktail made with whiskey, applejack brandy, vermouth and black currant.

The fun fact you’ll tell everyone when you get home: The Riggs National Bank helped finance many notable accomplishments, from the invention of the telegraph to the purchase of Alaska in 1867. The bank’s president also once presented an economic plan that resulted in the creation of the Federal Reserve.

Don’t sleep on: The bar at Café Riggs, which serves well-crafted cocktails, including the Riggs Spritz (a refreshing blend of vodka, peach liqueur, vermouth and elderflower tonic) and its boozeless counterpart made with chamomile, peach and sparkling tea.

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