Alright guys, this is a detailed blog, so get comfortable!
For the past two years, I was fortunate enough to visit Washington, DC and stay at The Royal Sonesta Hotel. My mom, a former kidney dialysis patient but now a kidney transplant recipient, is the president of the Education Department of DPC (Dialysis Patient Citizens) where she is tasked with educating the public about kidney disease awareness. This was a great experience that lasted up to four days. Every year the organization meets to teach patient ambassadors how to convince congress to pass bills that would benefit the lives of those who suffer from kidney disease. The preparation for these meetings took place at The Royal Sonesta Washington, DC Capitol Hill.
Now that you have some context, let’s get to the good stuff. I will share with you how I got to DC along with my experience at The Royal Sonesta.
How Did I Travel to DC With $40?
Last year, I paid for a Peter Pan bus ticket but I ended up canceling my ride due to an emergency. After emailing a representative from the company, I was given a voucher that lasted up to 1-year. So, I used that voucher to cover the cost of my ticket going, which would have been $40. Additionally, I paid $25 for my return trip (excluding taxes and my stowed additional bag).
After getting off the LIRR at Penn Station, I took the subway to Port Authority Station to catch my bus. The ride was approximately four hours with no transfer and smooth sailing. I honestly loved it, and I did not have worry about sharing a seat with anyone going and coming. What I appreciated about this bus is that there’s AC, outlets to charge your phone or laptop, wifi, you can eat snacks, recline your seat back a little, and just enjoy the ride.
*By the way you are allowed 1-free carry on and 1-free stowed bag (placed under the bus) however, additionally stowed bags are $5 each.*
Upon arriving in DC, I got off the bus at Union Station which is an intermodal transportation and shopping center. There were endless options of food to eat and stores to shop from:
Food: CAVA, Chick fil A, Chipotle, Auntie Anne’s, Blue Bottle Coffee, Bullfrog Bagels, Charleys Philly Steak, Chop’t, Cinnabon, Crepe Lena, Dunkin Donuts, East Street Cafe, Insomnia Cookies, Jamba Juice, Jersey Mike’s, McDonald’s, Neuhaus, Potbelly, Pret, Raising Cane’s, Sbarro, Shake Shack, Starbucks, Tacobell, Van Leeuwen Icecream, Wellfound Food’s, Wendy’s, and Wokaholic
Stores: Walgreens, Retail Records & Books, UNIQLO, Lee’s Flower Shop, and more!
*That was alot of copy and pasting*
After exiting the station, I then made my way to the Hotel, which was a six minute walk. Convenient, I know!
How Was My Stay at The Royal Sonesta Hotel?
The first time I visited The Royal Sonesta Washington, DC Capitol Hill, was in 2024, that is one year after it opened. I remember being in awe at how gorgeous it was and I still had the same feeling this year. Its warm, intimate and luxurious environment instantly made me feel comfortable and expensive (which I am, if I may add). Some highlights of the hotel is that they have on-site dining at Bistro du Jour which is an elegant French Restaurant that makes Parisian cuisine. There is also a wellness center that has a yoga studio, fitness machines and warm towels (so cool!). Plus, there’s a store in the lobby store, which has a variety of snacks for you to choose from. And if you’re feeling like bringing a furry friend, this hotel is also pet friendly! You will see a huge portrait in the lobby of The Knight of Capitol Hill, which is the Native Potomac Beaver which reflects history and spirit. Along with teamwork, skill and perseverance!
What I like about The Royal Sonesta is their accessible rooms. Being an advocate for kidney disease awareness who is acquainted with handicapped individuals, I know the importance of living in a space that is flexible to all people. And this hotel has greatly established that by providing mobile-accessible rooms.
Speaking of rooms, this year my mom and I were in the Standard Two Queen – Street View room. There are different rooms you can choose from with different views such as city, street, and Atrium Gallery. Our room had ample space with a large HDTV (by the way, I recommend casting your phone to the TV so you can watch whatever you want like YouTube movies or Netflix), a rainfall shower, and full sized Anatomicals toiletries. Along with a workstation, mini fridge (very mini), espresso machine, and more. The bed was super comfy; I took long naps and barely left the room. The only time I left was to eat upstairs in the Penthouse.
Was the Food Good or Did the Penthouse Make it Better?
Coming from a picky eater, I will confidently say that my taste buds were satisfied my entire weekend there. Accompanying my mother and DPC, the organization requested meals that were low in sodium, versatile to fit everyone’s needs (meat eaters, vegetarians, etc.) and it was nutritious. All I did was eat during my entire stay and I feel no shame about it. It was like a dream come true, having a private chef surprise me for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We had an all you can eat buffet and what made the experience sweeter was the desserts, the friendly staff and overlooking a view of the city outside on the top floor of the penthouse. But that only lasted a minute before lightning started striking. Everyone took cover inside to avoid being a target and the hotel staff made sure of everyone’s safety.
So, if you’re thinking about hosting an event, meeting, or having a weekend getaway, The Royal Sonesta is the perfect place for you. You can have access to exclusive meeting rooms and multiple corner spaces with outlets for you to quietly do your work from.
How Did I Entertain Myself?
As I mentioned before, I spent a lot of time in bed and eating. However, during my last day there, my mom and other members of DPC went to the Capitol for meetings with Senators. The mission was to advocate for patients and bills that protect those who suffer from kidney disease. This year, I decided to tag along so that I can immerse myself more in Kidney Disease awareness and to explore DC. We took a cab to the Russell Senate Office Building which was gorgeous to see. After that we also stopped by the Hart Senate Office Building.
On my way back to the hotel, which was $6 (Lyft had a deal that day so it would have probably been $15). Since I needed to catch my bus, I did not get to sightsee any further but I wished I had because there was so much more to explore. For instance, last year, I went to the National Museum of African American History & Culture, but next time I will go to the Botanic Garden or perhaps the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. And on another day, I’ll do something even more fun like making perfume at Olfactory.
From reading this blog, I know my vacation is different from an solo trip due to cost. And that is because I tagged along with my mom and was blessed to not have to cook anything. But if I were to go alone, I would budget mindfully so that I could still enjoy my time. To see how I would prepare for this, check out my next blog which will provide a helpful approach to this.
If I could repeat my experience again, I would without a doubt. I value feeling comfortable and welcomed wherever I go and I felt like this during my stay at The Royal Sonesta and on the Peter Pan bus. Thank you DPC and The Royal Sonesta for this experience, along with the Peter Pan Bus for a smooth ride.