A hideaway office at the Capitol is a private office used by members of the Senate and a few senior members of the House of Representatives). These offices are unlisted in any official directory, and their doors are marked only by a room number. Senators use hideaways as a private space to prepare for sessions of the Senate, conduct confidential meetings, take naps, and for other personal purposes). They range from lavish and expansive upper-floor offices to small, cramped offices in the basement). Hideaways are assigned to senators based on seniority). The history of hideaways dates to the earliest occupancy of the U.S. Capitol in 1800).

Some key features of hideaways include:

• Location: Hideaways are located on all four floors of the Capitol building, including the basement level. Many hideaways are situated in what the Associated Press has described as "ancient nooks" of the centuries-old Capitol).

• Secrecy: The location of hideaways is a closely held secret, with most having no names on the doors. They are hidden from view, with some even tucked away behind large statues.

• Luxury: Some hideaways are more luxurious than others. They are doled out according to seniority, with veteran lawmakers snagging plush space with sweeping views of the National Mall and newbies getting windowless basement digs. Some of the best hideaways are on the first and second floors and have soaring ceilings and walls painted under artist Elmer Garnsey at the turn of the 20th century. A precious few have fireplaces, bathrooms, or huge windows.

• Use: Hideaways are used for a little bit of everything, including a respite from the days political buzz, a quiet place to dig into a thick briefing book, or a spot to negotiate a tough agreement. They are also used as a place for senators to relax and recharge between meetings and floor sessions. Some senators even host small receptions or meetings in their hideaways, using them as a venue for informal gatherings and social events.

In summary, a hideaway office at the Capitol is a private office used by members of the Senate and a few senior members of the House of Representatives. They are unlisted in any official directory, and their doors are marked only by a room number. Senators use hideaways as a private space to prepare for sessions of the Senate, conduct confidential meetings, take naps, and for other personal purposes. Hideaways range from lavish and expansive upper-floor offices to small, cramped offices in the basement, and are assigned to senators based on seniority.