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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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- Judy
- Stayed January 2012
- Rating: Fair
What I liked:
The lobby was inviting and chic.
What the hotel could do better:
The hotel should really rethink its room decor. The furniture was self-consciously modern but clunky and non-functional. The chair in the room was not comfortable and heavy to move. The side table in front of it too small to be of much use. The desk was too large for the space, blocking ready access to the crucial electrical outlet for charging electronic gadget but was too heavy to move. The bed sits on a brown leather box that is bigger than the mattress but blends in with the carpet, so I promptly tripped over it upon entering the room. The much hyped spiral shower was nothing special, but had drainage problems so that water on the outer part of the "shell" just sits there, creating a slipping hazard and causing rust along the edge of the shower pod. The bathroom had no place to hang up towers except one little hook. The shelves upon which the towels are place are too close to the opening of the shower and placed poorly, so that as I was stepping out the shower, I banged my head right against the edge of the shelf. And as I instinctively stepped aside in pain, I tripped over the awkward leather seat placed right beneath the shelf. I am not a clumsy person, but in that hotel room, I was doing nothing but banging into things, stubbing my toe, and feeling very exasperated. Also, the bathroom sink may be nicely large, but drains extremely slowly, which was kind of gross. And there is no counter space for toiletries.
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- Irene Nomsa
- Stayed January 2012
- Rating: Poor
What I liked:
location is great
general style is nice
staff was very friendly
What the hotel could do better:
they nickel and dime you to death - parking $42 per day (no special rate for hotel guests), internet $11 per day, not even coffee or tea in the room were complimentary.
the shower had no pressure at all, only gravity allowed us to shower.
our room did not have a spiral shower as advertised.
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- Rachelle
- Stayed May 2012
- Rating: Good
What I liked:
Great location. Rooftop Pool. Hip vibe.
What the hotel could do better:
Nothing, had a wonderful stay!
