The "living room" or lobby of the W Hotel

Ever since the many soft-openings of the W Hotel (515 15th Street NW) I’ve been dying to check out the skytop POV Lounge for myself. The W Hotel’s POV Lounge boasts views of the White House lawn. But this newly renovated Hotel Washington had the same view but wasn’t as hip as the W.

I remember visiting the W Hotel in Chicago; running into Brian McKnight on the elevator and being ushered out of the hotel lobby that turns into a club because I wasn’t 21 yet. I knew that the W Hotel in D.C. was going to pump some juice into D.C.’s budding nightlife scene.

The staff are friendly and ready to serve when you enter the W Hotel’s lobby lounge called the ‘Living Room’. With plenty of seating and a full bar, the lobby doubles as a hot spot at night fit for tourists and locals alike.

Still, we wanted to see the views and there was already a line forming at 10 p.m. to get to POV and the skytop terrace. Without a reservation, you’re forced to stand in line until there is space. Still, we waited for about 15 minutes before we could check out the place.

Upstairs the party picks up with many people with bottles of champagne and finger foods.

Inside the POV Lounge

Indoors, the POV’s decor reminds me of a Vegas nightclub. It’s definitely not the usual D.C. decor of either wood paneling or tile. With the crowd being an interesting mix of young and older people, tourist and locals, everyone seemed to be taking it all in. DJ Neekola A blond chick on a pink mac book served as the D.J. I wasn’t really feeling her until she played some safe Micheal Jackson songs.

Still, we desperately wanted to get outside onto the terrace with the amazing view. Although it was a humid night, the white rotating fans kept the rooftop cool. The terrace reminds me of a lounge I’m used to: crowded, with everyone with a glass at a table or trying to get a drink at the bar, and of course taking pictures. A more hip and younger crowd, the music was even better on the terrace (although I do think it was the same D.J.)

DC Fab! (right) enjoying the views at the W Hotel

If you want to check out the W Hotel, I suggest making a reservation to get seating plus you’ll get to skip the line. Oh yea, the POV Lounge didn’t have any flavored vodkas meaning no apple martini’s so I was pissed. The mixed berry cocktail that was $15 (a tad pricey) and was extremely disgusting and too sour for my tastes. I had to send it back. Still, if you like vino, the W has a wine bar that I didn’t get to check out but tommorow is another day.