The Henley Park Hotel

In a neighborhood filled with large chain hotels, The Henley Park stands out for its historic Tudor architecture and warm atmosphere. Built as an apartment complex in 1918, the lobby still features its original tile flooring and a beautifully restored ceiling. Stone arches, lead glass windows, and a weathered tapestry make the lobby feel a bit like a medieval caste. The exterior of the brick building features original stone carvings, including over 100 tiny gargoyles, which helped Henley Park earn a spot among the Historic Hotels of America.

A lovely sitting room next to the lobby is decorated with antique furniture, and many of the pieces come from the owner’s personal collection. A paid high tea with freshly baked scones is served here every afternoon (reservations are required). The hallways of Henley Park are decorated with botanical illustrations and pictures of English country scenes.

The first floor is home to a classy lounge bar (jazz bands play on Saturday nights) and a cozy restaurant with exposed brick walls and a glass ceiling. With 96 small-ish rooms and no multi-bed units, most of the guests are single business travelers and couples.

Located just north of Penn Quarter in downtown D.C., Henley Park Hotel is situated one block from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The neighborhood is full of office buildings and apartment complexes, and plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars are within walking distance. Major tourist attractions like the National Mall, White House and Smithsonian museums are less than 10 minutes away by taxi. The Mount Vernon Square metro station is a five-minute walk from the hotel, and Metro Center and Gallery Place (major subway hubs) are a 10-minute walk south.

The Henley Park offers three rooms types: Standard Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, and Junior Suites. All of the rooms feature traditional, Tudor-inspired decor -- antique (or antique-style) furniture, gray wall-to-wall carpeting, plaid bedskirts, floral curtains, and paisley headboards. Each includes one plush queen or king bed with fine Italian linens by Frette. A handful of rooms also have sofa beds, but most rooms are designed for single travelers and couples. With the exception of the Junior Suites (which include wet/dry bars and sitting areas), the rooms are on the small side. Convenient extras include bathrobes, free bottled waters, flat-screen TVs, umbrellas, coffeemakers, and fully stocked minibars.

For a relatively small, historic hotel, Henley Park offers a respectable range of services and features. The property is home to a classy lounge bar, Blue Bar, which serves small plates and classic cocktails. The restaurant, Tavern at Henley Park, serves upscale American cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The hotel also has a tiny business center and a fitness center with three cardio machines equipped with personal TVs.

Free services include daily bottled water, turndown service, property-wide Wi-Fi, morning newspaper delivery, and overnight shoe shining. Daily high tea and 24-hour room service is also available for a fee.