10 I Street SW, Washington DC, United States | (251) 219-4428
One of the largest outdoor pools in Washington D.C.
Free one-way shuttle to pre-selected area attractions
Some rooms offer nice views of the U.S. Capitol
2016 renovations gave rooms a fresher look
24-hour fitness center and business center
On-site restaurant and lounge bar
On-site convenience store and tour office
Four blocks to Nationals Park baseball stadium
Three blocks to Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station
Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
No microwaves or mini-fridges in entry-level rooms (fee)
Bathrooms are tiny
No room service
No valet parking
The Capitol Skyline Hotel is a three-and-a-half-pearl property that provides a taste of Miami in the nation's capital. It was opened in 1962 with a unique modern design created by the architect Morris Lapidus, who is best known for designing Miami's famed Fontainbleau Hotel. A top-to-bottom renovation of Capitol Skyline's 203 rooms and common areas was completed in 2016 and a stylish mid-century motif is found throughout. The rooms are moderately sized, with a few notable exceptions both larger and smaller. The best have nice views of the U.S. Capitol dome. On-site dining, a 24-hour fitness center, free Wi-Fi, and low-cost parking all add value. If the Capital Skyline's design is too bold, the nearby Courtyard Washington Capitol Hill/Navy Yard has a a more basic look and offers similar amenities (although its pool is indoors).
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Scene
Retro hotel with modern interiors plus one of the largest outdoor pools in the city
There is nothing cookie cutter about the Capitol Skyline Hotel -- from the wide array of guest types to the styles found across the hotel. The lobby is typically bustling with a mix of business travelers and tourists (including a large number of international visitors), along with many baseball fans if there happens to be a game at the nearby Nationals Park. Once appealing primarily for its competitive prices, Capital Skyline's recent 2016 renovations and overall revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood has brought yet another mini-rebirth to the hotel -- that has seen a few since 2002 after being bought by Miami-based Rubell Hotels, which is known for its collection of architecturally significant hotels such as the Albion Hotel in Miami Beach and the Lord Baltimore in Baltimore. The new decor brings back the hotel's original Miami-esque feel, especially when combined with the large outdoor pool.
Location
In the Navy Yard, one of the city's hottest neighborhoods
A once nearly forgotten section of the city, Capitol Skyline Hotel's Navy Yard neighborhood has taken a dramatic upturn. In addition to Nationals Park baseball stadium that arrived in 2008 (and is only four blocks away), there are now dozens of restaurants and high-end condos all around. In addition, the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station is only a 10-minute walk away. That line connects directly to stops along the National Mall and to other popular neighborhoods such as the Penn Quarter and Columbia Heights. Of course, the hotel's namesake, the U.S. Capitol, is a short five-minute taxi ride away. The hotel also sits at an exit off of the Southeast Freeway, making it accessible for drive-in travelers and National Airport (a 10-minute drive depending on traffic).
Rooms
Quiet, moderately sized rooms, some with fantastic views of the U.S. Capital Dome (though bathrooms are tiny)
All of the guestrooms at the Capitol Skyline have a cool grayscale palette with mid-century style furniture and fixtures. Splashes of color come into the rooms from original commissioned abstract artwork. More than half of the rooms at the Capitol Skyline hotel are moderately sized (325 square feet) Double Queen Rooms. Standard in-room amenities include large flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, laptop safes, workstations with plenty of outlets, irons and ironing boards, and hairdryers. Some Premium King Rooms and Suites (400 to 525 square feet) add a mix of additional amenities including bathrobes and slippers, mini-fridges, and complimentary bottled water. In rooms that lack them, microwaves and mini-fridges are only available on request and cost extra. Noise from the nearby freeway and the busy neighborhood is kept out of the rooms by effectively soundproofed windows. Bathrooms are teeny tiny and will definitely require some negotiating skills when more than one person is staying in a room. The hotel loves to promote (and rightfully so) the views of the U.S. Capitol dome available from some rooms; however, only about a a third of the rooms provide that view without any obstruction.
Features
The pool is the star of the show, though dining, shuttle service, and a fitness center all add value
As one of the largest in the city, the Capitol Skyline Hotel's outdoor pool is a prized feature. It's 18,000 square feet of space includes a competition-size rectangular pool surrounded by a massive deck with plenty of first-come-first-served lounge chairs and cabanas. The hotel previously allowed promoters to host weekend pool parties, but discontinued that practice to make the pool more readily available for guests. It does still allow limited day passes and seasonal memberships. For on-site dining, a buffet breakfast is served in The Lapidus Restaurant, while casual lunches and dinners take place in the Capital Skyline Lounge. Guests can also get a drink or snack at anytime from the 24-hour grab-and-go convenience market adjacent to the front desk Every Monday through Saturday the hotel has a morning one-way courtesy shuttle that makes select stops near the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. Other convenient features include a free 24-hour fitness center, two computer workstations with a printer for guests to use in the lobby, and coin-operated laundry facilities. The hotel does not provide valet parking and the on-site self-parking is a bargain compared to most area hotels. For guests needing space for a social or business events, the hotel has more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space ranging from a formal ballroom to executive boardroom.
