Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square

Dupont Circle and Embassy Row, Washington DC

Star rating

Superior Room
Deluxe Luxury Room
Superior Room
Superior Room
Deluxe Luxury Room
Superior Room

The hotel

Featuring a certain sense of pizazz throughout as well as numerous contemporary comforts and state-of-the-art facilities, the Sofitel Washington on Lafayette Square provides all the answers to your shopping, sightseeing and entertainment dreams. Head to the Opaline Bar & Brasserie for French-inspired cuisine and a specialty cocktail. All in all this is one Washington postcode that's worthy of your attention and not just because of the White House, the Washington Monument and the National Theatre which are all within a well-aimed stone's throw from the Sofitel's front door.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Laundry Service
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Close to City Centre

Where is it

Situated on the corner of Lafayette Square bordering the White House and close to numerous downtown sites including Smithsonian museums, war memorials and vast green parks. Transfer time from Dulles International Airport: 35 minutes.

Hotel information

237 rooms and suites on 12 floors. All with air-conditioning, 55” HDTV, Bose© sound system, mini-bar*, coffee maker, separate bath and rain shower, hairdryer and iron and board. Superior Rooms are 370-400 sq ft and have 1 king-size bed or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. 

Deluxe Luxury Rooms are 400-450 sq ft and have 1 king-size bed or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Junior Suites are 426-475 sq ft and have a separate living area with additional TV, with 1 king-size bed in the bedroom and pullout sofa bed in the living area, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child. 

Opaline Bar & Brasserie (classic French food, seasonal dishes and cocktails, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner). Fitness centre. Concierge. Laundry/dry-cleaning and ironing service*. Complimentary WiFi.

This hotel has a resort fee of $34٫79 plus tax per room, per day (payable locally, subject to change)

Urban Experience fee includes the following: 

  • Morning Tea & Coffee in The Lobby 
  • Refreshing Afternoon Beverage in The Lobby 
  • Premium WiFi Access 
  • Morning Guided Runs 
  • Yoga Classes 
  • $10 Movie Credit Per Day (for Platinum ALL Members) 
  • $10 Laundry/Dry Cleaning Credit Per Day

*Denotes local charge.

Please note: one person must be aged 21 years and over in each room at check-in.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (2633)
  • Very good (986)
  • Average (239)
  • Poor (106)
  • Terrible (50)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Not the Sofitel Standard We Expected

مايو 4, 2025 Nicolla R

We were really looking forward to our stay at the Sofitel Lafayette in Washington, D.C., especially given its reputation and central location. Unfortunately, our experience fell far short of expectations. Before our trip, I emailed the hotel requesting dinner recommendations to help plan our stay and never received a response. That was the first… Read more
We were really looking forward to our stay at the Sofitel Lafayette in Washington, D.C., especially given its reputation and central location. Unfortunately, our experience fell far short of expectations. Before our trip, I emailed the hotel requesting dinner recommendations to help plan our stay and never received a response. That was the first sign that communication and service might not be up to par. Once we arrived, we had to ask three separate times at the front desk for the bottle of wine that was included with our Expedia points booking. This felt like an unnecessary hassle and left us feeling like we were being brushed off rather than welcomed. When it finally did arrive, there were no fresh wine glasses or ice provided—another detail overlooked. Our room also lacked the proper towels, and the refrigerator had a strong, unpleasant odor, as though something had spoiled inside and hadn’t been properly cleaned. To make matters worse, the toilet was leaking, and when it was serviced, we returned to find our door left ajar, which felt like a serious breach of security and trust. Overall, the hotel just feels tired—from service to amenities—and it’s clear that attention to detail has slipped. We hope Sofitel takes this feedback seriously, as it’s not at all reflective of the luxury experience the brand is known for. A refresh in both service standards and room maintenance is definitely needed. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Good meeting experience

مايو 3, 2025 brmusicman Chicago, Illinois

I helped to host a multi-day meeting in the hotel's ballroom. Overall, the meeting was a good experience. The ballroom was in good condition, and it was easy to coordinate with hotel staff, who were responsive to requests. I appreciated that the ballroom had windows to the street. Food was good, with some French touches. Presentation of the… Read more
I helped to host a multi-day meeting in the hotel's ballroom. Overall, the meeting was a good experience. The ballroom was in good condition, and it was easy to coordinate with hotel staff, who were responsive to requests. I appreciated that the ballroom had windows to the street. Food was good, with some French touches. Presentation of the food was elegant. I've had better hotel food, but I've also had far worse hotel food. The lobby of the hotel is relatively small, but elegantly appointed. Restrooms were large enough for a big group to take a break and were always clean. Some of the meeting attendees did complain about the front desk staff being transactional and not very polite, including nearly always staring at their computers vs. interacting with guests. Overall, it was a good experience for the meeting. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Unfortunately never again

مايو 2, 2025 Kreammer Melbourne

Room was good with comfortable Sofitel bed, but: - Very unfriendly check-in at 10:30 pm at night-time. It seems the check-in staff had been criticised repeatedly before on the net. Not sure why they don't replace a certain lady. - We were not informed by reception that our room was "hidden" on the 2nd floor behind the conference rooms which forced… Read more
Room was good with comfortable Sofitel bed, but: - Very unfriendly check-in at 10:30 pm at night-time. It seems the check-in staff had been criticised repeatedly before on the net. Not sure why they don't replace a certain lady. - We were not informed by reception that our room was "hidden" on the 2nd floor behind the conference rooms which forced us to return to the reception to ask for directions. - My platinum status was not recognised despite having booked via the Sofitel app: no welcome amenity, no (visible) room upgrade - I stayed at the Sofitel LA the week before and received the standard platinum advantages and don't understand why the Washington Sofitel is different... - Small hopeless gym tucked away in the basement - Long waiting at breakfast before being allocated a table All these points have been raised by other travellers several times and Sofitel promised improvement - obviously nothing is being done. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Nice getaway

Apr 30, 2025 Wendi1218

The only thing I would change, is that there was no refrigerator in the room. There was a wine cooler, but you had to call to have a refrigerator delivered.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Excellent Stay

Apr 16, 2025 accidentaltrvlr Southern California

In September 2023, my wife and I had a very disappointing stay at the Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square (see that review for details). In response, the General Manager graciously apologized and offered us an upgraded room at the same nightly rate if we stayed there again. True to her word, the general manager provided those terms to us even… Read more
In September 2023, my wife and I had a very disappointing stay at the Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square (see that review for details). In response, the General Manager graciously apologized and offered us an upgraded room at the same nightly rate if we stayed there again. True to her word, the general manager provided those terms to us even though we did not return until April 2025. The difference in our room quality from 2023 to 2025 was night and day. The 2025 room (number 1026) was in very good condition and was very quiet. Whereas in 2023, my wife hated the room so much that she checked out early (I was prevented by my obligations in DC from checking out with her), this time she loved the room so much that she wants to stay there again. I cannot speak to the other rooms, but the one that the general manager assigned to us in 2025 was excellent. Read less