National Harbor, MD

LOCATION

Just a few short miles, or a 15 minute drive from all the historic sites of Washington D.C. is National Harbor, Maryland.

Gaylord Hotel

The Gaylord Hotel is the giant hotel that put National Harbor on the map. This beautiful hotel is the anchor for National Harbor.  The hotel overlooks the Potomac River and the Capital Ferris Wheel.  This waterfront hotel has amazing water views and is a sight to see, even if you are not staying at the hotel.

This is not just a convention/business hotel.  Families can enjoy this beautiful property with all of its amenities.

The interior of the hotel is a huge atrium.  The amazing atrium lets so much natural light in, and lets you see out to the beautiful Potomac River.

The views of the exterior are just as beautiful as on the inside.

Restaurants and Shops

The restaurants and shops are all inside the Atrium of the hotel.  The natural light the atrium lets in is amazing.  Just walking around the hotel is like walking through a vacation resort.

Rooms

The rooms are well appointed, and several have balconies that have amazing views of the Atrium.

Pool and Fitness Center

On the 1^st floor of the hotel you will find the large indoor pool and fitness center.  There is also a nice sunbathing deck located outside of the pool.

SPA

The hotel also has a full service Spa.

Meeting Space/Convention Center

The main draw to this hotel is business travelers utilizing the great amount of meeting space both inside the hotel and outside at their Riverview Ballroom.

Holidays

If you happen to be near any Gaylord around the country during the Christmas Holiday Season try and experience ICE!

I was able to experience ICE at the Gaylord National Harbor, and it was spectacular, plus it was all about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – my favorite Christmas Story.  You don’t have to be a guest at the Gaylord to experience their ICE event–anyone can pay to enjoy it.

National Harbor

Just Steps outside of the Gaylord, you will find several restaurants, shops and other attractions.

All the cute restaurants and shops are an added bonus to National Harbor.

Capital Ferris Wheel

Either during the day or at night this amazing Ferris Wheel gives you high in the sky views of the harbor and city.

SUMMARY

Whether staying at the Gaylord for business or a family vacation, this hotel is a true resort, set just a little ways out of the city.  The views, amenities and service make this my go to hotel in the D.C. area.  As long as you are against the traffic pattern, it is a quick 15 minute drive to the National Mall, where you can see the majority of the D.C. sites.