All about image; not about performance
A great DC institution, failing miserably compared to their peers.
The rooms are tastefully decorated, but functionally decrepit. The locks on the door failed twice during a 3 day stay. The shower (although beautiful) leaked all over the floor due to bad door trim. The toilet flush valve failed and ran all night. 
A somewhat over zealous (and maybe obsessive compulsive) maintenance person zip-tied every power cord (lamp, clock radio, iPod dock, etc) onto the nightstand, while wired incorrectly. All 3 units did not work until cut, re-configured, and replaced. 
The A/C unit doesn't seem to have any relationship to the thermostat. Stat was set at 68. Room temp averaged 74, regardless of the outside temp.
The TV channels default to non-HD channels, and require a manual channel scan up into the outer reaches just to access HD. And the channel menu is inaccurate. Join the new century! This antiquated system should be the embarrassment of any progressive hotel. 
This is a beautiful, historic hotel that has all the potential in the world, but has fallen behind the basic standards expected of modern hotels. Look elsewhere.