Historic 1920s architecture and charming antique decor
Most rooms have a separate breakfast nook with a wet bar
Rooms include minibars, coffeemakers, and bathrobes
Free Wi-Fi
Stylish lounge bar and highly reviewed restaurant on-site
Plush down bedding
Walking distance to the White House and National Mall
Five-minute walk to Foggy Bottom metro and George Washington University
Fitness center
Valet-only parking is pricey
Standard (Superior King) rooms are on the small side
No pool
No business center
Built in the 1920s, this historic property features a mix of oriental and old-world decor. Property features include a stylish lounge bar, a mirrored fitness center, and a well-regarded restaurant. The 140 rooms have plush down bedding, and most have wet bars. A charming atmosphere and central location in the Foggy Bottom business district -- walking distance from the White House, National Mall, and two subway stations -- make Hotel Lombardy a great value for the area.
Scene
A historic boutique property with old-world charm
A fusion of oriental and classic European decor makes Hotel Lombardy feel a bit like a British manor in colonial Shanghai. Stepping inside, guests will find an impressive foyer with a crystal chandelier, ornate moulded ceiling, and two large Renaissance-style paintings. The ground floor is also home to a small lobby, upscale restaurant, and a lounge bar decorated with a mix of Moroccan lanterns and brightly colored furniture. The mash-up of East and West is most apparent in the rooms, which have paintings of lotus flowers, framed kimono fabric, Victorian chairs, and traditional wooden furniture.Built as a luxury apartment complex in the 1920s, Hotel Lombardy still has many of its original features intact, including a brick and limestone façade and rows of antique mailboxes in the downstairs hallway. The wooden apartment doors (vented to keep the units cool before the days of air-conditioning) are still in place outside every guestroom. A manually operated elevator was in use as recently as 2011, but the owner discontinued it after guests complained it was too slow.Classy furnishings and a refined, yet cozy, atmosphere make Hotel Lombardy a good choice for couples, single travelers, and families without children.
Location
Located in Foggy Bottom’s business district, within walking distance of restaurants and top tourist attractions
Tucked between shiny office buildings and rowhouses, Hotel Lombardy is situated at the border of Downtown D.C. and Foggy Bottom. This bustling business district has plenty of restaurants and cafes (at least a dozen within a block of the hotel), and George Washington University is only a five-minute walk away. While this neighborhood is decidedly sleepier than Georgetown or Dupont Circle (both a 15- to 20-minute walk away), it’s closer to the White House and monuments on the National Mall.- Five-minute walk to Foggy Bottom metro
Rooms
Clean rooms with plush bedding and thoughtful extras
With the exception of the small Superior King Room, all of the Lombardy’s guestrooms are fairly spacious and include a separate area with a breakfast nook and stainless steel wet bar. Rooms sleep a maximum of four people (no rollaway beds are available). Highlights include plush bedding, flat-screen TVs, well-stocked minibars, bathrobes, and coffeemakers.Style-wise, like the common areas, the rooms feature a mash-up of Eastern and Western decor. Oriental paintings with lily pads and lotus flowers hang above the beds, and most lamps and light fixtures have a botanical design. An assortment of high-end furniture includes Victorian chairs, solid wooden dressers, and wrought-iron headboards.
Features
A stylish lounge bar, full-service restaurant, and fitness center
Hotel Lombardy is home to a well-regarded restaurant, Café Lombardy, which serves European cuisine in an upscale dining room. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. The crab cakes and French toast come highly recommended. The hotel also has a bohemian lounge bar, The Venetian Room, which serves small plates and classic cocktails.Hotel Lombardy has a decent-sized fitness center (though machines are on the older side) and also offers free seasonal passes to the pool at Washington Plaza Hotel (which is unfortunately a mile away). Free services include daily turndown service, Wi-Fi, and overnight shoe shining. Room service and in-room spa services are also available.