Popular DC hotel for politicians, celebs gets new manager

There’s a new face managing one of Washington’s most exclusive destinations. Dirk Burghartz was recently named the general manager at the Four Seasons Hotel.

A German native who previously was manager for Houston’s Four Seasons Hotel, Burghartz says he’s excited to set up shop in Washington: “It’s powerful. You can see by just who’s coming in and out of the hotel, and just driving through the city ... it’s very impressive. You know that this is where all the movers and shakers are.” 

The pressure’s on for Burghartz. Over its 30-year history, guests who have been spotted reportedly dining at Bourbon Steak or Seasons restaurant in the five-star Georgetown hotel include Paul McCartney, President Obama and Michelle Obama, George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, former President Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, among others.

But Burghartz says he doesn’t get starstruck: “I think over the years we’ve learned to deal with all sorts of celebrities and powerful people and obviously most of them here in D.C. are from the political arena. But we’ve learned to deal with it and really recognize them as individuals, just individuals that are very well known and have particular needs.”

Because he just moved from the Lone Star State, Burghartz hasn’t had a chance to see the sites or even find a permanent place for his family. Luckily, his job has some pretty nice digs handy: “We’re living in the hotel right now because we’re in search of a home ... Everyone takes very good care of us here.”

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