Washington, D.C
Iconic Washington, D.C. Hotel to Join Le Méridien Brand Portfolio Following Multi-Million Dollar Renovation
The Legacy Hotel Welcomes a New Era of Contemporary Style and Rich Historical Charm to the Heart of Downtown Washington DC
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, a global premium brand within Marriott Bonvoy, announced today that an iconic property in Downtown D.C. has joined the brand portfolio following a $15 million renovation. Completing the renovation in September, the Le Méridien Madison, Washington, DC, is owned by Crescent Real Estate and operated by HEI Hotels & Resorts.
The renovation, designed by Parker-Torres Design, includes a redesign of the lobby, communal spaces and guestrooms to reflect the Golden Age of travel and to pay homage to Jackie Kennedy Onassis, who cut the opening ribbon to The Madison in 1963. Jackie’s style, hat, dress silhouettes, garment patterns, pearls, and other iconic pieces can be found throughout the hotel’s lobby and corridors. The hotel utilizes a color palette of brick and basin to reflect the brick and terra cotta roofs of federal buildings and the Tidal Basin that brings the Potomac into the city.
The lobby has been reimagined and contains high-impact arrival art that embodies Le Méridien branding. Each guestroom has been equipped with new flooring, wallpaper, ceiling finishes, light fixtures, furnishings, and artwork.
“Our team is thrilled to welcome guests to the new Le Méridien Madison, Washington, DC,” says General Manager Hazel Hagans. “This property embodies the spirit of our nation’s capital, blending modern glamour with rich historical charm. Our team is dedicated to delivering an exceptional guest experience, and we look forward to continuing to be a vibrant part of the community.”
Joining Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts ushers in several new amenities for guests staying at the hotel. To celebrate the culture of art and the D.C. community, Le Méridien Madison, Washington, DC has unveiled the Unlock Art Program, allowing guests free access to local D.C. cultural centers and museums.
Lady Madison, the hotel’s signature restaurant and cocktail lounge, features a revamped menu of artfully crafted cocktails and plates inspired by Mediterranean cuisine fused with local D.C. favorites. The hotel will now offer Le Scoop by Le Méridien, serving gourmet gelatos and sorbets to savor the flavors of an indulgent dessert year-round. Lady Madison also offers a curated selection of still and sparkling rosé wines and thoughtfully crafted small bites to pair, as part of Le Méridien’s La Vie, Rosé + Petit Plates program. Additional programming will include special evenings inspired by iconic First Ladies, offering specialty cocktails and bites tied to our historical knowledge of these incredible women, like a classic Negroni, Jackie O’s favorite cocktail, or a Dolley’s Squeeze, a twist on the lemon cocktail Dolley Madison served at her famous soirées.
Le Méridien Madison participates in Marriott Bonvoy – the award-winning travel program from Marriott International – allowing members to earn and redeem points for their stay at the new hotel, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of brands. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.
In celebration of the ‘Savouring the Good Life” with Le Méridien, guests are invited to discover elegance, charm, and sophisticated glamour at every turn with the new ‘Le Méridien Moments’ package, available now through January 15, 2025. The package includes 20% off guestrooms with a complimentary upgrade, plus a welcome amenity of Rosé for Two and a Sweet Treat from Dog Tag Bakery, a local D.C. bakery equipping veterans, military spouses, and caregivers with the tools to rediscover their purpose after serving our nation and reenter their communities with confidence and support.
ABOUT LE MÉRIDIEN MADISON, WASHINGTON, DC
Le Méridien Madison, Washington, DC blends old-world charm and modern comfort in a captivating setting. Boasting 356 deluxe guestrooms, Le Méridien Madison, Washington, DC’s stylish accommodations include 27 elegant suites, 22 junior suites, select suites with private wall-to-wall terraces, and the penthouse-level Jefferson and Hamilton suites with sweeping views of the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial. Centrally located in downtown Washington DC, guests will find themselves within walking distance of several historic landmarks, including The White House. The on-site cocktail lounge, Lady Madison, is open daily from 4-11 p.m. and offers artfully crafted cocktails, locally inspired dishes, and unique happy hour offerings. Marriott Bonvoy members may earn points on their stay at Le Méridien Madison, Washington, DC and enjoy the newly renovated concierge lounge, Club Madison, as well as enjoy perks such as late checkout.
ABOUT CRESCENT REAL ESTATE LLC
Crescent Real Estate LLC (Crescent) is a real estate operating company and investment advisor, founded by Chairman John C. Goff, with assets under management, development, and investment capacity of more than $10 billion. Through the GP Invitation Funds, Crescent acquires, develops and operates all real estate asset classes alongside institutional investors and high net worth clients. Crescent’s premier real estate portfolio consists of Class A and creative office and life sciences, multifamily, hospitality, industrial, and senior living assets located throughout the U.S., including The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas. For more information, visit www.crescent.com.
ABOUT HEI HOTELS & RESORTS
HEI Hotels & Resorts, headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., is a leading hospitality investment and management company that owns or operates 100+ luxury, upper-upscale and upscale independent and branded hotels and resorts throughout the United States. HEl’s branding partners include Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Choice and Wyndham. The company is renowned for its commitment to its associates under the culture of HEI Loves, its revenue management, profit contribution and empirically based real estate value creation, driven by a full complement of proprietary software tools to set and exceed targets on a fully integrated basis.
Media Contact:
Mattea Horn, PR Manager
The Zimmerman Agency
[email protected]
SOURCE Le Méridien Madison, Washington, DC
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Washington, D.C
D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report
TNND — A new report from the House Oversight Committee alleges former D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to manipulate crime data. The committee released the report on Sunday, less than a week after Smith announced she was stepping down.
You’re lulling people into this false sense of security. They might go places they wouldn’t ordinarily go. They might do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do,” said Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association.
Included in the report were transcribed interviews with the commanders of all seven D.C. patrol districts and the former commander currently on suspended leave. One was asked, “Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?” Their response, “Yes, I mean extremethere’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration.”
Every single person who lives, works, or visits the District of Columbia deserves a safe city, yet it’s now clear the American people were deliberately kept in the dark about the true crime rates in our nation’s capital,” House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said in a statement.
“They are going to have to regain the public trust. Again, this is a huge integrity issue,” Brantner Smith said.
Among the reports findings, Smith’s alleged pressured campaign against staff led to inaccurate crime data. Smith punished or removed officers for reporting accurate crime numbers. Smith fostered a toxic culture and President Trump’s federal law enforcement surge in D.C. is working.
While Smith has not yet publicly responded to the report, she’s previously denied allegations of manipulating crime data, saying the investigation did not play a factor into her decision to step down at the end of the year.
My decision was not factored into anything with respect to, other than the fact that it’s time. I’ve had 28 years in law enforcement. I’ve had some time to think with my family,” Smith said earlier this month.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also released a statement Monday, writing in part that “the interim report betrays its bias from the outset, admitting that it was rushed to release.”
According to crime stats from the Metropolitan Police Department, since the federal law enforcement surge started in August, total violent crime is down 26%. Homicides are down 12% and carjackings 37%.
Washington, D.C
National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims
The first candle lit on the National Menorah near the White House in Washington, D.C., marked the first night of Hanukkah — and solemnly honored victims of the Bondi Beach shooting.
The National Menorah Lighting was held Sunday night, hours after gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah at Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor, and over three dozen others were being treated at hospitals.
Authorities in Australia said it was a terrorist attack targeting Jewish people.
Organizers behind the National Menorah Lighting said the news from Australia, along with the bitter cold, forced them to consider whether or not to hold the annual event.
After consulting with local law enforcement, National Menorah Lighting organizers decided to hold the event and honor the victims.
Several D.C.-area police departments issued statements confirming there are no known threats to local communities, but are monitoring just in case.
Montgomery County Executive Mark Elrich condemned the attack and said community safety is a priority.
“Acts of antisemitism, especially those meant to intimidate families and communities during moments of gathering and celebration, must be called out clearly and condemned without hesitation,” Elrich said. “I have heard directly from members of Montgomery County’s Jewish community who are shaken and concerned, and I want them to know that their safety is a priority.”
Washington, D.C
READ: Report accuses DC Police Chief Pamela Smith of ‘fear, intimidation, threats’
WASHINGTON (7News) — Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith is facing yet another scathing report accusing her of manipulating crime data in the city.
The 22-page document from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform comes less than a week after a separate draft report from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and days after Chief Smith turned in her resignation.
The main difference between the Congressional report and the DOJ report is that this new one, released on December 14, contains transcribed interviews directly with commanders from all seven MPD patrol districts.
RELATED | DC Police settles with former employee over claims that crime numbers were manipulated
The testimony reveals how Chief Smith chastised and, in some cases, publicly humiliated staff in crime briefings.
“The Committee’s investigation heard consistent testimony about frustration and exhaustion among MPD commanders and the manifestation of a culture of fear, intimidation, threats, and retaliation by Chief Smith. Often, these manifestations were triggered whenever the Chief was presented with what she considers ‘bad news,’ particularly when that news pertained to any rise in public crime statistics. Chief Smith, according to testimonies, regularly took action against her subordinates who failed to aid in the preservation of her public image,” the report states on page two.
RELATED | Trump announces probe into DC police for inflating crime stats amid safety claims
The committee launched the investigation in August when whistleblowers came forward with concerns about data manipulation.
One line of questioning in the report states:
Question: Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?
Answer: Yes, I mean extreme… there’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration or regime, and you know, that has manifested publicly.
7News reached out to Mayor Bowser’s Office for a comment in response to the report. A spokesperson provided the following statement:
The men and women of the Metropolitan Police Department run towards danger every day to reduce homicides, carjackings, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and more. The precipitous decline in crime in our city is attributable to their hard work and dedication and Chief Smith’s leadership.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
I thank Chief Smith for her commitment to the safety of D.C. residents and for holding the Metropolitan Police Department to an exacting standard, and I expect no less from our next Chief of Police.
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