I Stayed at BOTH Intercontinental Hotels in DC - The Willard VS The Wharf

[@tcgtpl]

Credit Shifu living it up. My version of living it up is booking a Holiday Inn Express.

[@Sinisterniinja]

My version is spark by Hilton 😂

[@DHollandTravels]

Love the Willard! We stayed there a few years ago and you can’t beat the location and history.

[@kevinfedigan8229]

Reminds me of San Francisco, they have two ICs as well. One very new and modern, and the second being the Mark Hopkins, very old and regal building. Two very different experiences, but both great. On that trip, I kinda preferred the newer building (much like you, we got a great upgrade for being Diamond Ambassadors) - corner suite with floor to ceiling windows with mechanical blinds. Also the chef's tasting menu at the newer IC San Fran was amazing - I think they had a Michelin star years ago, lost it right before the pandemic and were chasing it again when we stayed in 2022, so food was phenomenal and affordable.

[@reneecopeland1095]

Thank you for the review of these two hotels. Interesting differences. I’d choose the first one you stayed at. I’d prefer the water view, the balcony, the pool and the staff better.

[@TheCreditShifu]

Looking back, I think maybe the staff at the Willard feel more pressure, since a lot of important people, even world leaders stay at that hotel. They probably feel more relaxed at the Wharf.

[@Paul_seekingthetruth4U]

The 5 free nights seem great but they can’t be topped up. They are stand alone.

[@Julista22]

Did you have to ask for the upgrade? I’ve stayed about a dozen nights at kimptons/holidays inns and have never been offered one

[@TheCreditShifu]

Didn’t ask

[@mseattle7690]

Thanks for the video. The IHG 60k reward certs cannot be topped off, right? AskSebby and several other places mentioned that it's not possible. The way it's presented in this video, it sounded like it would be possible to top off the reward certs.

[@TheCreditShifu]

Based on previous IHG welcome bonuses with free nights, that is what people think. But no one has tested it yet, since this welcome bonus is too new

[@angelac1009]

The wharf is stunning. Thanks for sharing.