Located along Washington, D.C.’s Southwest waterfront, The Potomac Hotel, Autograph Collection is a luxury hotel overlooking the Potomac River, ideally positioned between the National Mall and The Wharf.
Formerly Salamander Washington DC, the 373-room hotel entered a new chapter in August 2026 when it became part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Guests can now enjoy the property’s distinctive luxury experience while also earning and redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points.
Many rooms and suites offer views toward the Potomac waterfront, Tidal Basin and Washington monuments, while the hotel’s location puts museums, memorials, restaurants and some of the capital’s most important Black history within easy reach.
Rooms & Amenities
The Potomac Hotel combines the feel of an urban luxury hotel with many of the amenities travelers might expect from a resort.
Highlights include:
- 373 luxury guest rooms and suites
- Select rooms with Potomac River, waterfront and monument views
- The Spa at The Potomac
- Heated indoor swimming pool
- 24-hour fitness center
- Groom Guy, a Black-owned men’s grooming and wellness experience
- Dōgon by Chef Kwame Onwuachi
- The Lounge & Terrace
- Room service
- Approximately 38,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space
- Marriott Bonvoy participation
The hotel’s location is another major advantage. The Wharf, National Mall, Smithsonian museums, Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument are nearby, while Reagan National Airport is approximately 15 minutes away.
The Spa at The Potomac
Wellness remains an important part of the experience.
The hotel’s expansive two-level spa offers a tranquil escape from sightseeing and city life, complemented by the indoor pool and fitness facilities. Guests can combine a day exploring Washington with massage, skincare and restorative wellness experiences without leaving the hotel.
The property is also home to Groom Guy, the Black-owned luxury men’s grooming and wellness company founded by Darius Davie and Matthew Sears. Its presence expands the traditional hotel-spa experience to include men’s grooming, self-care and wellness within the luxury hospitality setting.
Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi
One of the hotel’s standout experiences is Dōgon, the acclaimed restaurant led by chef Kwame Onwuachi.
Pronounced “Doh-gon,” the restaurant explores food through an Afro-Caribbean lens, drawing inspiration from Onwuachi’s Nigerian, Jamaican, Trinidadian and Creole heritage.
For travelers interested in Black culture and culinary experiences, Dōgon makes The Potomac particularly noteworthy—even before stepping outside to explore Washington.
Black-Founded Luxury & Hospitality Heritage
The Potomac Hotel has deep roots in Black luxury hospitality.
Before becoming The Potomac Hotel, the property operated as Salamander Washington DC, created and established under the vision of Sheila Johnson—billionaire entrepreneur, co-founder of BET and founder and CEO of Salamander Collection.
Johnson helped transform the property into a distinctive Washington luxury hotel emphasizing wellness, culture, dining and personalized hospitality.
In August 2026, the hotel entered its next chapter as The Potomac Hotel, Autograph Collection, joining Marriott’s portfolio while Pyramid Global Hospitality assumed management.
Johnson continues to hold an ownership interest as a minority partner, while global real-estate investment firm Henderson Park is the property’s controlling owner.
Although the hotel is therefore no longer majority Black-owned, its Black-founded hospitality heritage and continuing Black ownership remain an important part of its story. That connection is further reflected through Black-led and Black-owned experiences within the hotel, including Kwame Onwuachi’s Dōgon and Groom Guy.
For Black Hotel Guide, The Potomac Hotel is recognized as a Black-founded hotel with continuing Black ownership and a significant Black hospitality legacy.
Why Stay at The Potomac Hotel?
The Potomac Hotel is particularly appealing for travelers looking for a luxury Washington, D.C. hotel near the National Mall and The Wharf while also seeking meaningful connections to Black hospitality, food and wellness.
Its combination of waterfront location, sophisticated accommodations, spa facilities, acclaimed Afro-Caribbean dining and proximity to Washington’s museums and historic sites makes it an excellent choice for romantic getaways, wellness weekends, cultural trips and upscale city escapes.
Best for: Luxury travelers, couples, wellness getaways, Black cultural travel, food-focused trips, Marriott Bonvoy members and travelers who want to stay near the National Mall and The Wharf
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