My husband and I stayed at the Four Seasons Washington DC from December 11-14, 2008. It was by far the worst hotel stay we have ever experienced.
From check in to checkout it was an unbearable experience. We left a few days early...it was just too much to endure. I won't go into every detail of the trip but I will caution anyone that is thinking about staying their to think again!
The hotel is under heavy construction. Do not be fooled by the front desk, bell staff, concierge and sales...they will say that they are undergoing "light" renovations. Every morning (including Saturday and Sunday) we were awoken at 6:35am with loud drilling, banging, knocking, sawing etc. If that wasn't bad enough, through out the day, the fire alarm went off 4 times.
When I attempted to address these issues with the front desk they told me that there was nothing they could do and upon early check out they were rude to my husband and I as we expressed our disappointment in our stay.
Bottom line: Don't waste your time or money.
Other highlights of our trip: Room service was horrible, salty and cold (we order soup!) there was a small bug in our room (it was dead on the ceiling). The door man broke one of my bags upon check in (it was raining and my shoes feel into a puddle of water). Front desk (especially Micheal) and concierge were continuously rude to my husband and I. We waited 25 minutes for our car upon checkout . The garage is in the building. The concierge was incompetent (older man). We asked for directions to a popular Thai restaurant...not only did he send us to the wrong place but he gave us a piece of paper with chicken scratch (I am not exaggerating, no one would have been able to read this). Why would the Four Seasons hire such an incompetent concierge person? I am sure that this is not the first time he has done this.
***That hotel is a mess! Very chaotic, under heavy construction and the staff is rude and incompetent.

Along with noisy renovation, which has knocked out once-grand lobby and public space, seems like hotel is understaffed at present (11 rings to get a telephone operator).
during my stay, there were many non working items (cable tv, no hot water in shower), along with annoying service items (maids who would knock on door even when do not disturb light on, no newspaper delivered, and hair in bathtub from a previous guest!). this is definitely not what the four seasons hotel used to be like!

It will COST you for going in and out of that hotel at least $20/$25.00 to leave; everyone has their hands out and upon the return if you run thou the front door you can get out of paying to return to your $1200.00 a-day room.

They did not tell me upon booking the room there is a 44millondollar 7 day construction project underway tough September 2009 with drilling starting at 7:45AM on going all day.

Even thou the service are more 4stars than 5stars I was not very happy with the staff, the front door when asked about a ATM said they were somewhere on in the street, also very hard to understand them when you only know English. Also forget about the cabs in Washing DC they do not take credit cards. When I ask for a limo at the hotel they said it would take an hour or two before I would get one and when I did say I would need one with a two hour notices they said that the company they use was sold out no other help was given unless I show some green. The only thing green I did like was the Green Frog you put on the bed at night if you did not want to change your linens on daily basis.

Very Pretty hotel but I will pass next time. – Billy Amato (NYC)

Property is very tastefully-decorated and also bears that unblemished appearance and scent-free fresh cleanliness that only a quiet, unseen army of well-trained staff can create. There was nary any evidence of the enormous construction project underway; in fact, the temporary entrance itself was intimate and graceful. The extensive spa and gym were a pleasure (and silent, too!) - sun-filled and well-staffed. Room was spacious and luxurious and room service food was superlative. The Four Seasons makes it difficult on themselves: they set our expectations enormously-high and then exceed them. Really extraordinary.