WASHINGTON, D.C. — Washington, D.C.’s The Mayflower Hotel has completed a multi-million dollar makeover that has restored its nearly 43,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces, it was announced Oct. 20.
Ballroom space.
The refurbishments to the property’s 27 meeting rooms include a modernized grey color scheme and patterns that incorporate an octagon shape inspired by the historic Promenade Foyer ceiling.
Refreshed spaces and upgrades include:
Grand Ballroom, with a ceiling height of 21 feet, offers a wraparound balcony, plus the option to extend into the connecting Chinese Ballroom, providing over 10,000 square feet of function space. Additionally, the makeover restored the Grand Ballroom.
Originally known as the hotel’s Presidential Dining Room, the now State and East Ballrooms offer 8,000 square feet of meeting space, 21 foot ceilings, and natural light admitted by 14 foot windows.
Other options include the 4,000-plus-square-foot District Ballroom and the mezzanine level.
Technology upgrades include wireless Internet capabilities, with available bandwidth up to 100-plus Mbps, for up to 1,200 attendees.
In keeping with the hotel’s legacy of hosting political leaders, The Mayflower has created presidential-themed meeting breaks:
The Reagan Jelly Bean Break – President Ronald Reagan, known for his love of jelly beans, personally thanked the hotel associate who served these colorful candies to all guests at his 1981 inaugural gala held in the Grand Ballroom.
The Eisenhower Surf & Turf Break – President Dwight Eisenhower enjoyed his last event at The Mayflower in 1960 where his guests enjoyed lobster, filet mignon and asparagus tips (inspiring this break’s afternoon tea-style sandwiches).
The Banana Nut Bread Break – Presidents Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan were all served The Mayflower’s famous banana nut bread during their inaugural galas at the hotel. More than half a century later, The Mayflower bakes over 10,000 loaves of the banana bread per year.
The Churchill High Tea Break – In 1945, Winston Churchill sipped on his favorite Lapsang Souchong tea when he infamously made an off-colour joke, which was carried by the acoustical domed ceiling of the hotel’s Chinese Ballroom, much to the surprise of host Franklin D. Roosevelt and his guests.
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