Politics in the United States can be highly stressful; this stress can be especially pronounced if you are traveling and feel you must tiptoe around political conversations with other hotel guests or airline passengers. Well, a new hotel is making sure those who consider themselves progressive can travel with ease and stay with like-minded company. An Eaton Studios hotel will open in Washington, D.C., this spring, and it will be the polar opposite of the nearby Trump International Hotel. Therefore, you might want to start planning a trip to the country's capital.
Expected to open in early spring 2018, Eaton DC will be a satellite hotel of Eaton Workshop, a global hotel group that hopes to revolutionize the hospitality industry by integrating community, politics, wellness and art into the visitor experience. Eaton Works said in a press release that the Eaton Zone "will provide amenities for hotel guests, locals and dormitory members to come together to fulfill our mission of fostering creativity and awareness-building." The hotel will have 209 guest rooms, as well as a theatre, radio station, a “wellness center” offering yoga and meditation classes, restaurants, rooftop bars, art exhibitions, event spaces and more. Basically, you can almost never leave the hotel and still have a great time.
“The [Eaton Workshop] property creates a conscious atmosphere to promote this vision. We believe we are moving towards a more humane business that provides a space for community building and learning for a world in need, and we believe the hospitality industry can be a huge catalyst for social and environmental impact," said Eaton Shop President in a press statement. “We’re excited to open our doors to anyone who wants to learn more about how we’re working to build a more inclusive and welcoming world for all, and we can’t wait to welcome our first guests this spring.”
The brand will also open a hotel in Hong Kong, San Francisco and Seattle in 2019. Although under the same brand, each hotel is designed to incorporate the culture of its region in a unique way. So only what some call a "radical hotel" is being built at the heart of American politics. Obviously, Eaton DC will cause some controversy, but Rowe told Bloomberg, "Self-selection is definitely one of our strategies. We want to emphasize that this is a place for people who think outside the box and want to change the world." She added, " The goal of Eaton Studios was not to bring together the left and the right,” but rather to create a hotel that could host diverse people with progressive views.
While many advocates support the need to balance self-care and activism, some worry that Eaton Hotels will capitalize on social justice issues and may be less accessible to marginalized populations. In a press release, Eaton Studios said the company is committed to uplifting local communities in a variety of ways, from “providing employment opportunities for local young people, to hosting artist-in-residences for refugees and activists, to hosting events for change-makers.” conferences, as well as public art, a music and film festival that explores themes of social change. In addition, Eaton Studios promises that the Washington, D.C., hotel and other properties “will feature public spaces that serve as resources for the community and incubators for emerging talent.” Currently, there are none. Information about hotel pricing.
All in all, it looks like the Eaton District will become a haven for activists and have a positive impact on the Washington, D.C. community. If you need a few days away from Twitter rants and endless political debates but still refresh your activism, Eaton DC might be your answer.
