The Trump hotel in Washington, DC, to be sold and rebranded as a Waldorf Astoria
Editor's Note
The U.S. government has approved a lease transfer for the city's most famous buildings, which currently house the Trump International Hotel.
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Friday announced it is signing off on a proposed transfer of the lease of the Old Post Office building to CGI Hospitality Opportunity Fund. According to the GSA, the Florida-based company plans to work with Hilton on redeveloping the property into a Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
The Old Post Office, a Romanesque Revival building just a short walk from the White House in Washington, D.C., currently houses the Trump International Hotel. With 263 rooms, the hotel opened in 2016, coinciding with former President Donald Trump accepting the Republican Party's nomination to run for president. It was popular with Republicans visiting the city during his presidency. Visiting diplomats also visited the hotel, with thousands of room nights paid for by foreign governments, creating a controversial conflict of interest during former President Trump's tenure.
The Trump Organization had been looking to sell the property since 2019. Back in November, TPG reported the company had planned to transfer the lease to the Miami-based investment company, CGI Hospitality Opportunity Fund, for $375 million.
While Trump insisted the hotel has been profitable during his association with it, recently the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform's investigation determined the property had instead lost some $70 million since 2016.
With the GSA's confirmation Friday that the lease transfer will be allowed to move forward, and that the property is set to become a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, this means the historic building will now be accessible to visitors wanting to stay at one of the most luxurious brands in the Hilton portfolio. It also means Hilton Honors members will have the opportunity to to stay at a renowned building, close to the White House using points. The hotel will also rival the nearby Conrad which opened in 2019.
Related: Plush privacy on the Strip: A review of The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas
Regardless of ownership or branding, the property remains a D.C. landmark, being that it's the tallest hotel and the second-tallest building in the city, second only to the Washington Monument.
Additional reporting by Sean Cudahy
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.