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Though a first-class boutique hotel would fit in well just about anywhere, it’s a pleasant surprise to see one like Donovan House opening in the District of Columbia. This is a town with a slightly staid reputation — but openings like this one show it’s an image that’s much in need of some revision.
And while the Donovan House’s look is as cosmopolitan as they come, it’s not simply a matter of importing some international boutique style to the District of Columbia — it’s steeped in local color as well. The hotel’s got an air of Sputnik-era cold-war cool about it, starting with the hanging chairs and modernist wingbacks in the lobby lounge.
The shiny and swanky public spaces are mid-century chic, and the rooms are half hideaway, half party pad. They come complete with Dean & DeLuca snacks in the minibar and Bigelow bath products in the nautilus-shell spiral shower. Most unexpected of all is perhaps the rooftop pool with accompanying bar, a far more enjoyable place to do a deal than the traditional DC back-room — and Zentan brings Susur Lee's particular brand of Asian fusion (and a bit of sushi) to the nation's capital.
- 193 Rooms
- Style: Cutting-Edge
- Atmosphere: Happening
- 292 Guest Reviews
- Donovan House
- 1155 14th Street N.W.
- Washington, DC, USA
Other Washington D.C. hotels
292 Guest Reviews
All reviews are from Tablet guests with verified stays.
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- John
- Stayed July 2011
- Rating: Poor
What I liked:
Location
What the hotel could do better:
1. Help unload luggage from taxi (the desk clerk didn't seem to think this was a big deal as my wife had to drag her luggage to the front door, almost wanted to leave just for that interaction)
2. Respect our tablet premium membership by:
a. Presenting sake amenity without us reminding them (sake was super cheap brand and warm)
b. Check us into an upper floor suite rather than a back of building, lower floor, dark suite upon arrival from which we had to then relocate upon our request (same desk clerk as above)
3. Serve drinks at the rooftop pool during the day (seems too obvious to even mention). As a result, guests bring their own bottles of alcohol and drinks which creates a super cheap atmosphere, worse than a holiday inn express (food would also be nice but hotel would bound to fail in that attempt).
4. We watched a European family try to bring their teenage kids to the rooftop after 5 promising the kids would not drink. They were rejected. They just wanted to see the sun set, have a drink and leave. Seems the hotel would rather cater to outside trollers and nightlife crashers than paying guests (kids were charged as adults for the room ironically).
5. In a similar vein, even as guests, my wife and I were carded before allowed to enter rooftop after 5. We look so over 21 it was ridiculous.
6. Pool deck lacked enough loungers for guests. We sat on the hot deck with towels. We eventually bought day passes for the pool at the hotel across the street, Washington Plaza (super decent staff, drinks, food loungers and a large retro modern pool).
Conclusion: We were enticed by the pool photos but were hugely disappointed with the lack of basic service. The rates were cheap but that doesn't mean service should be lacking. This place is designed for the rooftop night crowd. A guest was arrested during our stay. Nice. Hotel needs to overhaul their staff and explain to them how to interact with guests as if they matter and not like casual pedestrians.
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- kenneth
- Stayed July 2011
- Rating: Excellent
What I liked:
rooms and looks
What the hotel could do better:
better food servers and gift shop
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- Timothy
- Stayed July 2011
- Rating: Good
What I liked:
The rooms were really not your average hotel room. A big plus in my book. The day staff was very friendly. The restaurant had the best desert I have ever tasted. Amazing for an Asian cuisine restaurant.
What the hotel could do better:
Great service was not consistent. Waiting for a friend to pick me up and take me out I was dying of thirst and asked reception if I could get something to drink. They directed me to my 8th floor room and the mini-bar for water or alternatively the bathroom. There was service in my room all day long. No fewer than 5 different people entered my room during the day I rested. (Even with do not disturb on the door) The hotel directed me to a club where I was robbed by the staff for over $350. The pool closes at 5 and becomes a city hot spot. A pity for those who'd like to wind down with a dip around 7 before dinner.
