McLoren pivoted back into the primary bedroom of the George Washington Presidential Suite at the Willard InterContinental. The historic hotel – nicknamed Residence of Presidents and located in the shadow of the White House – had been her epicenter of power. Henry Willard, a riverboat steamer steward, converted six properties into Willard’s Hotel in 1816. The current 12-story, Beaux Arts–style building opened in 1901. Throughout most of its history, the Willard Hotel has been synonymous with elegance, the elite and powerbrokers. Every US president since Franklin Pierce has stayed or hosted a meeting at the hotel, along with countless politicians, dignitaries and famous guests such as Martin Luther King. He wrote his “I have a Dream” speech here. The property is managed by InterContinental.
