Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC

The Hotel Monaco sits at the well-crafted intersection of history and modern-day design. Its four-story, all-marble building was constructed in the 19th century by Robert Mills (the designer of the Washington Monument) and Thomas Walter (one of the architects of the U.S. Capitol). Originally a post office, it was first transformed into a hotel in 2002 and completely redesigned in 2016. The property has retained its historic grandeur while being tricked out in Kimpton's signature contemporary style (and providing upmarket extras). Valets welcome every guest to the property before they are greeted in the grand lobby, which is bursting with color and chic design. Bright, wide hallways lead to rooms that have soaring ceilings -- up to 20 feet high in some cases -- and plenty of amenities. The restaurant attracts a large percentage of non-guest diners and often hosts lively parties. And despite the frequent activities and socializing taking place in the common areas, the hotel's layout and marble construction keeps people and sound away from the rooms. As is common with most of the city's downtown hotels, guests are mostly business travelers during the week and leisure travelers on the weekends. 

Occupying an entire city block, Hotel Monaco is located in D.C.'s Penn Quarter neighborhood. Within the immediate vicinity of the hotel is the Capital One Arena (home to the NBA's Wizards and the NHL's Capitals), Shakespeare Theatre Company, and National Portrait Gallery. Just four blocks to the north is the Walter E. Washington Convention Center; four to the south is the National Mall; and seven blocks to the west is the White House (a 15-minute walk). Popular nearby restaurants include Rosa Mexicano, Carmine's, District ChopHouse & Brewery, and Jaleo by Chef Jose Andres. And while there's plenty to see and do near the Monaco, just one block away is Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station for easy access to more of the city. Union Station (Amtrak) is a seven-minute metro ride away, or 10 to 15 minutes by taxi. DCA is a 15-minute metro ride (15 to 30 minutes by cab); and BWI and IAD are each up to a 90-minute drive, depending on traffic.

The transformation of this historic landmark building from a post office to a hotel created 183 room and suites at the Hotel Monaco. Standard Rooms start at a respectable 325 square feet and feature soaring ceilings -- some as high as 20 feet. While impressive, this can sometimes lead to the rooms feeling smaller than they are in actuality. Decor includes unique specialized details like five-foot lion's head architectural medallions above the beds, plus faux-leather folding screen headboards and premium Frette linens. Eye-catching patterns and jewel tone hues give the rooms a little extra pep. Standard amenities include large flat-screen TVs, Bluetooth alarm clock radios, laptop safes, and well-stocked minibars. Kimpton Karma Rewards Members -- the hotel's loyalty program that's free to join -- get minibar credits and free access to Wi-Fi. Other Kimpton signature amenities include yoga mats and animal-print bathrobes. However, coffeemakers are noticeably absent from rooms, and electric outlets can be a challenge to find. Some bathrooms are awkwardly located, and all include shower/tub combos, decent counter space, and high-end bath products. Exterior rooms on the second floor (and higher) have views of the city, and interior rooms face the courtyard. Unfortunately, first-floor rooms are at basement level, with only small windows near the ceiling that offer views of the ankles of passersby. Additionally, traffic noise can be an issue in some rooms. 

Beyond the hotel's stunning historic setting, Hotel Monaco’s lobby is one of its best features. It is a showroom of creative design, with bold colors and multiple green Murano glass chandeliers. There are outlets built into most of the furniture, helping guarantee a steady flow of guests in this part of the hotel and giving it a social vibe. This space is also very busy in the mornings for the coffee service and in the evenings for the wine happy hour -- both of which are free. The hotel's full-service restaurant, Dirty Habit, has a New American menu and specializes in craft cocktails. Its hip open-kitchen dining room and large outdoor patio are frequented by guests, but also draw many locals and other travelers. The restaurant manages room service, which is available 24 hours a day. Both the business center and fitness center are open around the clock, and the latter has modern cardio and resistance equipment that are fine for a basic workout. There is no spa, but in-room massages and facials are available for a fee. Only valet parking is offered, and includes access to Tesla and universal electric car charging stations. Free custom-designed bikes are available for guests to use for riding around town.