MGM National Harbor Corner Suite
The Theatre at MGM National Harbor
MGM National Harbor Plaza out from the construction site( with a few rocks and roots in the mix) and presents an aerial view of the National Harbor area. A large, impressionistic rendering of George Washington hangs in the guest room bathrooms. And an in-floor installation dubbed“ The Wells,” in the resort’ s District area( locale of retail shops and restaurants) presents whimsical, though potentially vertigo-inducing, optical illusions.
Even if you’ re not the gaming type, it’ s worth checking out the interior entrance to the casino just to see the massive metal archway created by Bob Dylan. Yes, the Bob Dylan. The legendary singer / songwriter is also an artist / welder who, according to an MGM spokesperson, scouts junkyards for raw materials. Among the wrenches, industrial hooks, and other artfully arranged heavy metal castoffs in this work called“ Portal,” is a blue crab, presumably a nod to Maryland’ s official state crustacean.
The heart of the resort’ s public space is the 15,000-square-foot Conservatory, with a twostory atrium crowned by a glass-ceiling. The decoration here changes five times a year, reflecting four seasons and the Chinese New Year. Management believes it will be a big draw. Similar installations at MGM’ s Bellagio attract up to 40,000 people a day, and even more during the holidays.
In the Conservatory’ s lower level is the Bellagio Patisserie, with a 12-foot-tall chocolate fountain circulating two tons of velvety sweet stuff. It claims fame as the world’ s second-largest such fountain.( The biggest is in the Bellagio.)
Seven restaurants include Fish by José Andrés, a locally sourced eatery by the Washington-based celeb chef; Marcus, featuring American cuisine by Top Chef Masters winner Marcus Samuelsson; and Voltaggio Brothers Steak House, a homey but elegant space by award-winning Bryan and Michael Voltaggio. National Market, a
FLYWASHINGTON. COM 52 SPRING 2017