Get to Know the Kimpton Carlyle Hotel in Washington, DC

Ready for another big announcement out of DC? One that doesn’t involve someone running for president? Well we’ve got news about some change you can believe in: Kimpton is taking over a new hotel in Washington DC — the soon-to-be Kimpton Carlyle – Dupont Circle.

As the name implies, Kimpton Carlyle is located in the happening Dupont Circle neighborhood, and it will be our ninth hotel in DC — that’s as many as we have in our hometown of San Francisco. But no need to get into an East Coast/West Coast rivalry: Our new Kimpton hotel in Washington DC, will sport all the same features and amenities you know and love, like complimentary wine hour, pet-friendly rooms, free bikes, yoga mats in every closet, and a killer restaurant and bar.

Our flag is officially flying over Kimpton Carlyle, which will open its doors in May, after an extensive renovation that will not only enhance the building’s Art Deco style, but also increase the number of rooms from 170 to 198. And 56 of those rooms will offer full-service kitchenettes, perfect for families or extended stays. World-renowned artist Michele Oka Doner has led the design and concept creation for Kimpton Carlyle, her first hotel project in the U.S. The handcrafted chandeliers and modern artwork draw on her Miami Beach roots, and restore the hotel to its original grandeur as an Art Deco landmark. A membership-quality fitness center with brand-spanking-new equipment will also be part of the mix.

A guest room at Kimpton Carlyle – Dupont Circle. Photo Credit: Ron Blunt

And that fitness center will come in handy because you’re going to want to take a deep dive into the menu at Kimpton Carlyle’s restaurant, The Riggsby, slated to open this summer. Chef Michael Schlow, who also runs the popular TICO restaurant in DC’s 14th Street Corridor, will preside over an open kitchen where the emphasis will be on Euro-influenced American cuisine. He’s a past James Beard award winner for Best Chef in the Northeast who has made all kinds of TV appearances, including Bravo’s Top Chef Masters and Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Fun fact: Not only is Chef Michael a heavy hitter in the kitchen, as a young baseball prospect he boasted a 92-mph fastball.

Topping it all off (or surrounding it on all sides, actually) is the neighborhood itself. Dupont Circle is one of DC’s hottest ’hoods, teeming with galleries, museums, cafes, clubs and boutiques. The area is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to a number of embassies; it’s long been considered the heart of the city’s LGBTQ community, as well.

So if DC is in your future (even if you’re not running for president), we have one more great option coming on line that’s sure to win bipartisan support.

Washington DC cityscape photo: iStock.