Stacy Smith has stepped into the role of general manager at One Washington Circle DC, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton property located in Washington, D.C.'s West End. The appointment places a seasoned operator with more than 30 years in hospitality at the helm of a hotel that recently completed a rebranding and is now positioning itself for a new chapter.
Smith is no stranger to the capital's hotel scene. She has served on the executive boards of the Hotel Association of Washington, DC and Destination DC, and previously chaired the Destination DC board. Her industry footprint also includes founding the City Partner Pathways Apprenticeship Programme, an initiative designed to open career tracks for emerging hospitality talent.
Leading through a rebrand
One Washington Circle DC joined the Tapestry Collection in 2023, and Smith's mandate is to build on that momentum. The property, known for its residential-style suites and its location near Foggy Bottom and Georgetown, is targeting both business and leisure travelers who want more space and a local feel.
“I’m thrilled to join One Washington Circle at such an exciting time for the hotel and the West End,” Smith said. “This property has so much to offer, from its spacious, upscale residential-style accommodations and exceptional location to its distinctive character and strong connection to the surrounding community.”
Under her leadership, the hotel plans to refine its guest experience across several touchpoints. That includes the lobby lounge, a fitness center that has been upgraded, and the signature restaurant Ten Ten West End, which serves as a neighborhood anchor. The goal, according to the hotel, is to blend personalized service with the kind of local authenticity that Tapestry Collection properties are known for.
Smith's appointment comes at a time when Washington's hospitality market is evolving. The city is seeing a wave of investment in its hotel stock, and the West End—a residential and commercial corridor—is benefiting from that trend. The nearby Washington Dulles overhaul is expected to boost international arrivals, which could spill over into demand for upscale properties like One Washington Circle.
For Smith, the role is a return to a market she knows intimately. Her previous work with Destination DC gave her a macro view of the capital's tourism strategy, and she has been a vocal advocate for workforce development in the sector. That background is likely to inform how she approaches staffing and community engagement at the hotel.
“Stacy’s track record in Washington and her commitment to developing people make her an ideal fit for this property,” said a spokesperson for the hotel. “She understands what it takes to deliver a distinctive guest experience while also being a good neighbor.”
The hotel's positioning as part of the Tapestry Collection is deliberate. Unlike standard branded properties, Tapestry hotels are meant to retain their individual character, and One Washington Circle leans into that with its residential architecture and its location in a tree-lined neighborhood that feels more like a residential enclave than a tourist district.
Smith's immediate priorities include refining the hotel's service standards and ensuring that the property's amenities—particularly Ten Ten West End—become a draw for both guests and locals. The restaurant, which serves contemporary American fare, has been a point of differentiation for the hotel, and Smith is expected to build on that.
Industry observers note that Smith's appointment is part of a broader trend of hotels tapping leaders with deep local knowledge. As other properties around the world make similar moves, the emphasis on community connection is becoming a competitive advantage.
For travel professionals, the takeaway is that One Washington Circle DC is doubling down on its identity as an independent-minded hotel within the Hilton ecosystem. With Smith at the helm, the property is likely to strengthen its ties to the local business community and to the corporate travel segment that frequents the West End.
