HotelChatter

Hotel Renovations / Washington DC Hotels / → All Tags

Hilton Washington to Finish $140 Million Renovation in Early 2010

Where: 1919 Connecticut Ave Nw [map], Washington, DC, United States, 20009

The Hilton Washington may not be DC’s fanciest bedpost, but it’s certainly one of its most well known — from the thousands of conference attendees it has hosted to its place in history as the notorious site of the 1981 attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan.

Since 2007, when Magic Johnson and some L.A. investors acquired the hotel for a cool $290 million, the Hilton Washington has been undergoing a quite expansive top-to-bottom upgrade to the tune of $140 million. Word from the hotel is that renovations will be finished early 2010, which includes the new 30,000-square-foot multipurpose Columbia Hall as well as a new meeting center. The Executive Lounge has also been fully restored, as have all 1,070 guest rooms and suites.

more ›

Snapshot / DC Hotels / Art Hotels / → All Tags

Snapshot :: Salvador Dali Room at D.C.'s Artists Inn Residence B&B

Where: 1824 R Street NW [map], Washington, DC, United States, 20009

We were browsing Apartment Therapy when we came across this kickass shot of the spectacular Salvador Dali Room at the Artists Inn Residence Bed and Breakfast in Washington, D.C.'s Dupont Circle.

The guest rooms at this B&B are all (duh) arts-themed: William Shakespeare, Katharine Hepburn, Duke Ellington, Mozart, Da Vinci, and Monet also have rooms dedicated to them.

Check out shots of the other rooms here -- rates in the Dali room start at $279 (but the Mozart room starts at $239. Um, does that mean ol' Wolfgang is not a popular dude? Ouch.)

Ian Schrager / Bill Marriott / Edition Hotels / DC Hotels / Hotel Hype / → All Tags

Rejoice! The Edition DC Will Rise in 2009; Repent! It Won't Open Until 2012

After hearing rumor after rumor that Ian Schrager's Edition will rise in what was a former church in the Adams Morgan section of DC, the Washington DC Business Journal has confirmed it will really happen. But you just have to wait until 2012 for it's opening.

DC's Advisory Neighborhood Commission has approved the plans from developers Brian Friedman (Friedman Capital) and Beztak Properties who are working with Marriott and Schrager to build this Edition.

Friedman will present his concept for the First Church of Christ, Scientist, at Euclid and Champlain streets NW, to the Historic Preservation Review Board on June 26. The property is up for historic landmark designation later this month.

Friedman will then begin the planned unit development process. He expects to break ground on the $100 million, nearly 180,000-square-foot project in December 2009.

The developers need to wait until December 2009 because part of the hotel will be located on an adjoining property whose tenant isn't moving out until that date.

We think Schrager/Marriott should just ask the tenant nicely to move out earlier. We are very impatient and don’t like to wait!!

Best Hotels for Fireworks 2008 / Fireworks Hotels / Washington D.C. Hotels / Historic Hotels / → All Tags

Best Hotels for Fireworks 2008 :: Washington, D.C.

Where: 1914 Connecticut Ave., NW [map], Washington, DC, United States, 20009

Get your hot dogs, sunscreen and beer guts ready: Independence Day is just over two weeks away! If you're headed to a big city for some fireworks fun, we'll be taking a look at hotels with prime fireworks views. Have a favorite hotel for gawking at bombs bursting in air? Send it our way.

We couldn't possibly do a series on Fourth of July Hotels without mention of Washington, D.C.

The Churchill Hotel near Dupont Circle and Embassy Row is offering a Fourth of July package with great rates and all the equipment necessary to experience the various patriotic festivites and fireworks on the National Mall.

more ›

Edition Hotels / Hotel Hype / DC Hotels / Bill Marriott / Ian Schrager / Hotel News / → All Tags

In The Name Of The Father, Son and Edition Hotel

Last week we linked to an article from USAToday that said Washington DC's first Edition will be located on the "18th Street Corridor", well thanks to a great tip from Lee W, we juuuusssttt might have an idea as to exactly where Washington DC's first Edition Hotel will be located.

Apparently the locked down and closed First Church of Christ Scientist located at 1770 Euclid Street NW (a block away from 18th Street) was supposed to be converted into a condo building, but since the District's Historic Preservation Review Board wouldn't allow it, the developer, Brian Friedman, decided to build a boutique hotel instead.

Lee W writes:

A church would be quite a dramatic place for a boutique hotel in Washington, and really bring a lot of class to the neighborhood, though there are some great restaurants and bars in the area. But this site seems to make the most sense.

The plans include demolishing the Washington City Paper building located next to the former church then expanding the church building, while keeping its appearance on par with the church's aesthetics.

We'll see if this site does end up being an Edition or not - but one thing is for sure - converting a church into an Edition Hotel would fit perfectly with Ian Schrager's goal of making each Edition unique.

Does this mean we'll get morning church services along with our complimentary continental breakfast? I think that's one Schrager innovation Bill Marriott would go for.

Historic Hotels / Hotel Packages / → All Tags

Parents Go 'Back to School' at the Churchill Hotel

Where: 1914 Connecticut Ave. NW [map], Washington, DC, United States, 20009

Washington, D.C. is bracing for the influx of proud moms and dads coming to see how their progeny is faring on their own. The end of October is Parents Weekend season across the United States, but hotels in D.C., with the city's concentration of universities -- Georgetown, American, Howard, George Washington -- really need to brace for the influx.

For parents who want the fun of college life, minus the cramped dormitory and congealed mac and cheese, the Churchill Hotel in Washington, D.C. is offering a special package for parents of college students. In time for parent's weekends occurring Oct. 12-14 and Oct. 26-28.

Called the "Kids, Bring Your Parents to School" package, the $249 room rate includes 20 percent off of dinner at the Chartwell Grill, three complimentary beverages upon arrival and full breakfast for three.

Plus while Junior is learning about our capital city's history in class, parents can get a little schooling of their own right at the Churchill Hotel. As we told you, the 1906 building belongs to the Historic Hotels of America group, a sub-group of the National Trust organization.

[Photo: EyeCaptain]

Related Stories:
· Travel Stories in Washington, D.C. [Jaunted]
· DC Hotel Reviews [HotelChatter]

Washington DC Hotels / Hotel Deals / → All Tags

History and Sightseeing at DC's Churchill Hotel

Where: 1914 Connecticut Ave Nw [map], Washington, DC, United States, 20009

We love ourselves a bit of history when we wanna look all intellectual, so our Washington DC pick of the day is the Churchill Hotel on Connecticut Avenue. The 1906 building belongs to the Historic Hotels of America group, a sub-group of the National Trust organization. All that makes it kind of a private, exclusive place yet still in the middle of things.

At the Churchill you can choose from premiere rooms, junior and deluxe suites and kitchenette rooms--oversize suites with a mini-kitchen for a bit of self-catering. You can also eat on site at the Chartwell Grill Restaurant, from breakfast through to dinner.

The Churchill has a fourth of July special going, where guests can "show their patriotic spirit" by booking one night for $149 and getting full breakfast and metro tickets for two. Or if you're still feelin' intellectual, try the Old Town Trolley Tour package: $169 for accommodation, breakfast and an educational tour of DC by trolley, including a disposable camera to record the most historic sites you see! We love it that they give you milk and cookies when you get back.

[Photo: Eye Captain]

Related Stories:
· Washington, D.C. hotel reviews [HotelChatter]