The Darcy, Curio Collection by Hilton
1515 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20005, United States
Why We Like It
We love the flow between the hotel and the neighborhood, including the Green Hat Gin (from a local distillery) used in the nightly free cocktail parties, the pop-up flower shop by a local florist, and the men's store by Reed Wall, a clothier on the nearby U Street corridor. We don't deny the traveling cocktail cart, accompanied with a mixologist, is a fabulous kind of room service.
Fodor's Expert Review
One of the city’s latest hotel triumphs, this new boutique treasure, located just around the corner from the buzzy 14th Street corridor, aims to bring a sophisticated European touch to the cosmopolitan capital city. The lobby feels more like a stately living room (albeit, a masculine one), and guest rooms are sleek and contemporary. There are daily cocktail tastings and complimentary bikes for guests, and a restaurant and coffee shop by acclaimed chefs. It's hard to believe this designy property was once a ho-hum Doubletree.
Tip The hotel partners with local businesses to add a touch of home. An occasional pop-up flower shop, for example, allows guests to create their own bouquets for their rooms.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
The cosmopolitan, state-of-the-art rooms are light and airy, with an underlying palette of light gray and hunter green, with marigold drapes, rainbow-colored contemporary artwork, and custom rugs depicting giant roses. Modern design elements including light woods and touches of polished chrome and antique brass. Somewhat unexpected is the display of men's fashions (ties, pocket squares), which can be borrowed.
Tip Some of the larger suites include oversize soaking tubs.
Lobby
The living-room-style lobby, with a strong masculine aesthetic, encourages you to relax and stay awhile; be sure to bring a book. The reception desks are made of beautiful cross-stitched leather, with black brick walls behind, juxtaposed with a gold rendition of an American Beauty rose (which, apparently, is DC's official flower).
Pool
There is no pool.
Spa
There is no spa.
Gym
There is a fitness center.
Dining
Acclaimed chefs Robert Wiedmaer and Brian McBride are behind the Siren restaurant, showcasing fresh seafood from around the world in a nautical setting, while celebrity chef David Guas gives a nod to his native New Orleans at Lil’B, a street-level coffee shop and eatery.
Tip Siren restaurant offers live jazz on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.
Drinking
Siren has a bar area that's open until 1 am.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
The Darcy is located on Scott Circle in downtown Washington, DC, with some of the city's best restaurants, shops, bars, clubs, theaters, galleries, and museums an easy stroll away. The convention center is about a mile away, and the Capitol One Arena and National Mall are less than 2 miles away. Parking is expensive and traffic can be horrendous; it's best advised to use a taxi or public transportation to get around. The nearest Metro stations are Dupont Circle (five blocks away) on the red line and Farragut West (seven blocks away) on the blue/orange/silver lines.
Restaurants
The daily menu at Tabard Inn Restaurant (6-minute walk), located in a historic town house just a few blocks away, offers classic dishes with a seasonal twist: house-smoked salmon carpaccio with lemon-mustard aioli, chicken Milanese with grilled lemon, tomatoes and limencello vinaigrette. Iron Gate (6-minute walk), across the street from the Tabard, offers seasonal small plates (with optional wine pairings); the wisteria-covered patio is as romantic as you can get.
Bars
A destination for beer lovers, ChurchKey (5-minute walk) offers 555 different kinds of beer in a trendy setting. For something historic and stately, Off the Record (12-minute walk) in the gracious Hay-Adams is a classic DC bar filled with politicos.
Photos
Quick Facts
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