Dubai opening hotel next to White House

Istithmar Hotels, part of the Dubai government-owned Istithmar investment house, is opening a W hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC.

One its closest neighbours will be the President of the United States, who lives on the same street at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

W Washington DC will be located directly across the street from the White House, offering 317 luxurious guest rooms, including 32 suites, a spectacular rooftop bar and terrace and a world-class signature restaurant.

"The hotel's location, as the closest neighbor to the White House, is arguably the best in the city," said Craig Scott, the hotel's general manager. "The hotel is an established cornerstone of DC's history."

Joe Sita, Chief Executive of Isithmar Hotels, expressed his delight at teaming with hotel group W for the project that will see the old Hotel Washington, an iconic building in the US capital, converted into a contemporary W hotel.

"The Hotel Washington has played an important part in the history of the city and we wish to expand on the hotel's history and to acknowledge its role in the community," he said.

Isithmar was already the owner of Hotel Washington.

The Hotel Washington will close at the end of December, and reopen again a year later as W Washington DC.