A New Washington D.C. Hotel Dedicated to Women's Empowerment
Hotel Zena
Washington D.C.
Equal Pay, $$
It's a good time for women making history. Let's start with the election of the first female Vice President of the United States. And as Madame VP Kamala Harris so beautifully stated at her inauguration, "I will not be the last." Wearing a bright purple suit, Harris honored Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress and a courageous pioneer for women in American politics who famously said, "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." These empowering messages didn't just project from the loud speaker on the National Mall: They echoed throughout the whole world, supporting a movement of unity and equality that we — so very much — need to act on together.
Perhaps with this spirit in mind, when acclaimed hotel brand Viceroy set out to launch Hotel Zena, their second property in Washington, D.C., at the downtown nexus where Thompson Circle meets vibrant 14th Street, they didn't want to just open any new hotel with fancy mini bar snacks and a trendy apothecary. They set out to honor this pivotal moment in history by celebrating the accomplishments of women and the enduring struggle for gender equality in an immersive space, designed primarily by women, for all genders, races, and sexualities to come together in unison. The 191-room hotel is thoughtfully curated with provocative artwork that showcases female empowerment, including a larger-than-life portrait of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg made from 20,000 hand-painted tampons, and a reception desk constructed from up-cycled high heels.
In the lobby, a wall-to-wall installation pays tribute to the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote with more than 12,000 protest pins representing several generations of marches and actions that fueled the triumphs and the continuing fight to make the world a more equitable place for women. The female power theme isn't only written on the walls. Art director Andrea Sheehan intends for the relaxed yet striking spaces, including the rooftop pool and lounge, to spark conversation and create a strong sense of community — hopefully one that will continue long after check-out.
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