Washington · Woodley Park
Omni Shoreham Hotel
Joseph H. Abel's 1930 hotel on Rock Creek Park, on HHA's 2019 Most Haunted list; Omni says FDR held his first inaugural ball here.
- Built
- 1930Building permit January 8, 1930 (Joseph H. Abel, architect; Calvert Street Corp.; 8 stories); opened October 30, 1930.
- Style
- Art Deco and Renaissance Revival
- Architect
- Joseph H. Abel
- Type
- Grand hotel
- Area
- Woodley Park
- Credentials
- Historic Hotels of America member
The story
The Shoreham opened on October 30, 1930 with Rudy Vallee headlining a sold-out opening night, and it advertised running ice water, fireproof construction and an indoor ice rink. Franklin D. Roosevelt held his first inaugural ball here in 1933, beginning a 70-year tradition, and the fight song of Washington’s professional football team was composed in its Blue Room in 1938. The Beatles stayed here on their first U.S. visit in 1964; their handwritten set list hangs in the lobby.
The ghost story
Reported lore centers on Suite 870, the 'Ghost Suite': in the hotel's early years three people died there, including executive housekeeper Juliette Brown, and guests and staff have described unexplained noises, slamming doors and moving furniture, often around 4 a.m. Historic Hotels of America put the Omni Shoreham on its 2019 list of the 25 most haunted hotels.
Source: wtop.com
Good to know
- Address: 2500 Calvert Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Things to do
Tours in Washington, D.C.
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Sources (3)
- https://maps2.dcgis.dc.gov/dcgis/rest/services/DCGIS_DATA/Historic_WebMercator/MapServer/10/query?where=ADDRESS%3D%272500+CALVERT+STREET+NW%27&outFields=ADDRESS%2CDATE_%2CARCHITECT%2COWNER%2CSTORIES%2CPURPOSE%2CNAME&f=json
- https://www.historichotels.org/us/hotels-resorts/omni-shoreham-hotel
- https://pre-cms.omnihotels.com/hotels/washington-dc-shoreham/property-details/history
Last verified October 2026. Details change; confirm with the inn before you book.