An Irish gem in America’s capital

At 90 years old, the Phoenix Park Hotel is one of the longest lasting luxury hotels in the D.C. area. It recently underwent a $3 million renovation that includes top-of-the-line pillow-top mattresses and bedding, according to the hotel’s website.

Phoenix Park was built in the 1920s by well-known developer Harry Wardman, according to Joseph Zarza, current general manager. It was built in a strategic location, close to Union Station and Congress.

“Shortly after our hotel was built, several others popped up, but we were the only one known to survive over the years,” Zarza said. “Others have been subject to the wrecking ball.”

Phoenix Park was named after a park in Dublin that is the largest urban park in Europe. “It’s what Central Park is to New York City,” Zarza said. “The prime minister of Ireland resides there, as well as the U.S. representative to Ireland — there’s also a zoo and many deer that roam freely.”

The Phoenix Park is home to many events. Zarza said that typically the hotel hosts two- to three-dozen weddings per year. “They’re a big part of our social catering business,” Zarza said. “We also have a lot of legislative receptions for members of the Senate and House — they usually use their own facilities for their events, but as you know they can’t do any fundraising in the Capitol so a lot of them come here.”

The typical routine Zarza and his staff go through to plan an event is to first look at the amount of space they have. “We have four rooms, with 5,000 square feet of space so we have to see if there’s a room available to require it,” he said. “Then we have on-site interviews for potential clients, we show them our facilities and I’d like to think that they sell themselves, our facilities are in very good shape with our multi-million-dollar renovation — everything is very pristine.”

Phoenix Park doesn’t have anything planned inauguration-related as of yet. Zarza said that until someone wins in November, no one makes a commitment, especially since most hotels require a full pre-payment.

“In November we may all of a sudden get a call,” Zarza said. “However, the bigger balls are in much larger facilities such as Union Station and the museums up the street.”

The Phoenix Park’s events are based on the amount of food and beverage one consumes. Typical breakfast prices are in the mid- to high-$20s range, lunches are $30 to $40 and dinners are typically $50 to $60, according to Zarza.

“I think that D.C. is a very traditional city; everything is so government-oriented,” Zarza said. “People come here to get things done on the Hill. Marcia Gay Harden (of “Mystic River” fame) was here the other day with some interest in Congress.”

The hotel has an adjoining restaurant, The Dubliner, an Irish pub that offers entertainment seven days a week.

The Phoenix Park Hotel is located at 520 N. Capitol St. NW. For more information on the hotel, visit its website at www.phoenixparkhotel.com or call (202) 638-6900.