Frommer's Review
The Doubletree flag now waves at this property, formerly known as the Washington Terrace Hotel. By any name, it remains an urban hotel, whose beautifully landscaped terraces front and back act as buffers between the hotel and the city. The flow of the public spaces leading back to the garden courtyard, and abundant use of earth tones and sandstone in the decor, accentuate the hotel's theme of "bringing the outdoors in." This theme resonates in the guest rooms -- the light golden wall coverings feature an abstract botanical pattern, and the windows are larger than the hotel norm, delivering lots of natural light. Ask for a room at the front of the hotel for a view of Scott Circle, the park across the street, and the city; request a room at the back for a view of the garden terrace. Spacious suites come with a small wet bar, a dining table, a sleeper sofa, and a larger bathroom. Guest rooms on the second through seventh floors have a Tempur-Pedic mattress (the kind that forms to your body) on the bed, while those on floors 8 and 9 have the "Sweet Dreams by Hilton" pillow-top mattress. The hotel will soon provide free wireless Internet access in all guest rooms -- probably by 2008, but ask to confirm this.
Although the Doubletree Washington calls itself an "upscale boutique hotel," its large size and its practical amenities, like ergonomic chairs in the guest rooms and extensive conference and party facilities, disqualify it. But the guest rooms do have a boutiquey feel, thanks to imaginative touches such as granite-topped desks, circular nightstands, and a fanciful color scheme, like a blueberry-toned wall behind the bed (the suites feature other colors: aubergine, nectar, and sienna), contrasting with the light-toned coverings on the other walls.
Facilities:
Restaurant (contemporary American); bar; fitness center; 24-hr. concierge; business services; room service (6:30am-midnight); same-day laundry service; dry cleaning; 10 rooms for those w/limited mobility, 2 w/roll-in showers
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
