SPRINGHILL SUITES MARRIOTT


By Warren Woodberry Jr.

Many are not as bold to live like characters played on the Netflix Original Series “House of Cards” but pretending to be is for easy play in our nation’s capital.

SpringHill Suites Marriott
Francis “Frank” Underwood wouldn’t dare get caught in a hotel like this, but that’s the point. The SpringHill Suites Marriott Alexandria Old Town Southwest provides the perfect cover for the President of the United States to secretly plan his latest caper when it comes to convenience, comfort and privacy.

This modern, all-suite hotel is less than 8 miles from Downtown D.C. and 14.9 miles from the White House. Its stylish studios feature free WiFi, flat-screen TVs with premium movie channels, and iPod docks to keep tabs on the press or be entertained. Rooms are decorated with calm, soothing colors, and sound proofed where no outside noise or neighboring guests can be heard.

Suites also include living areas with pull-out sofas and mini fridges, microwaves and coffeemakers, so the President’s Chief of Staff Doug Stamper and Communications Director Seth can camp out all night to plot their next press campaign. Free amenities include a hot breakfast buffet, an area shuttle and parking. There’s also a fitness center, a business center and meeting room. Laundry facilities and a convenience store are also on premises.

SpringHill Suites have partnered with CakeLove (www.cakelove.com) a renowned DC bakery offering “Cake in a Jar” to guests. The decadent desert in palm-size resealable jars are available in the 24-hour market. With single serving cake and cream cheese icing choices like salty caramel, vanilla, red velvet, carrot cake and triple chocolate, Frank may lose his taste for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Address: 2950 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22314. Phone: 703-317-0013. www.springhillsuitesalexandria.com

Jack Rose
Whether you’re in town for business of leisure, wind down after a hectic day for drinks with politicos at Jack Rose, an American restaurant featuring over 2,400 bottles of hand-selected scotches, bourbons and spirits. Whiskeys lead the way at this high-end bar with its American menu, themed dining rooms and open air terrace.

At the back of the bar, down a flight of stairs to the cellar is a speakeasy that accommodates groups up to 30 for private events. Reservations are required for this small, dark, candle-lid space; an ideal spot for Frank to make shady deals with corrupt corporate heads and slick foreign dignitaries.

Address: 2007 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009. Phone: 202-588-7388. www.jackrosediningsaloon.com

Heist
Marital stress can drive any one crazy, but throw in politics and you get First Lady Claire Underwood. Now and then this classy lady feels the need to run off and let lose, and Heist is just the place for it. Like Claire, here you can hide among a hip crowd as the DJ spins today’s hottest tracks and old school classics. Blend in on the dance floor and get lost with the locals, or kick back in the VIP lounge for First Lady treatment with continuous bottle service. Heist is DC’s premier lounge, bringing a little more delinquency to the capital city. Like Claire.

Address: 1802 Jefferson Pl NW, Washington, DC 20036. Phone: 202-716-2055. www.heistdc.com

Sculpture Garden Ice Skating
Frank and Claire can rekindle their love for each other with a romantic hand-holding moment on the ice. In winter, the National Gallery of Art gives visitors something a little extra during the winter months, transforming the Sculpture Garden into an ice skating rink. Glide past large scale sculptures from contemporary artists including Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Tony Smith. Now should you fall on the ice, you won’t have Secret Service on skates following behind to pick you up.

Address: Constitution Ave NW & 7th Street, Washington, DC 20408. Phone: 202-216-9397. www.nga.gov

Poste Moderne Brasserie
The President’s former Chief of Staff Remy Danton is a real deal maker, and is always looking to sweeten a deal regardless of whose side he’s on, any given episode. At “Poste” he can always have the upper hand at DC’s historic post office turned eatery, where sweet little extra hot libations are served with homemade maple lollipops. Located adjacent to the Hotel Monaco, Poste is set in an 1841 building. The buzzing dining area is in what was once the mail-sorting room. European and American wines at the bar as well as a wide selection of craft beers and handmade cocktails are available.

Address: 700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004. Phone: 202-783-6060. www.postebrasserie.com

So after you’ve binged on “House of Cards”, play the series out with your own script and plot your stay in Washington.