Washington D.C. Hostels

On Monday, May 30, Memorial Day, I purchased two day passes to the Ven's Rooftop pool. It was great weather and the DC public pools were, for the most part, closed. Rather than spend 2k+ on a pool membership in the region (cannot afford that), my son and I have set a goal to hit as many hotel rooftop pools that offer daypasses. The Ven was a nice experience. So, I could totally recommend the one-off visit to the pool and to check out the views of DC. Totally fun to see the Dupont circle Metro stop glass roof (being repaired) and a number of other cool buildings. Always a plus-- my son didn't bring any devices, so he read books and lounged by the pool. It's not really a great lap swimming pool there at the Ven. But, I once had someone teach me how to ”Aqua-jog” and no one there made me feel like I was an idiot for doing that. The package supposedly includes the hotel's gym. But that's in the basement of the hotel. It felt like it was a little understaffed at the hotel and I didn't feel comfortable asking for access. Anyway, I was there for the pool. I also was not offered my ”canned cocktail of choice.” I could have demanded it, but the very sweet gentleman tending the pool food bar/drinks was on his third day, and was a little befuddled that I didn't have a room number to charge things to. HOWEVER, I will admit, I tipped the gentleman and he helped us manuever getting two loungers. THAT WAS WORTH IT. He was super helpful. It was crowded and I was not excited about spending the day there sitting on benches. I asked and 20 minutes later he helped us make it work. THANK YOU. So, for a one-off-- totally worth it! Will I pay a monthly membership fee. Maybe not. Unless people somehow hook me up very clearly with that air hockey table...

We chose the Hilton because of its location at DuPont Circle and proximity to the metro. It was perfect. Very clean and excellent service. We had a corner room with large windows and a nice view. We weren’t able to check in early and still have our chosen room but we left our luggage with the bell captain, parked and went off to explore on foot for awhile, taking the advice from a helpful front desk clerk for a nice place for lunch close by. Everything was close by. It worked out perfectly. The price of the hotel was excellent too which offset the cost of parking ($56/day) in the garage below where the car stayed for the whole trip. It was very easy to park and get back inside. The restaurants looked lovely but we didn’t eat there. There were just too many local choices and we were out walking most of the day. The bell captain was helpful in getting us a cab one cold evening when my Uber app was be working well. He went outside in the cold until he was able to hail one for us (comparable in price to the Uber we would’ve taken) Lovely stay. Highly recommend.

The location of the shop is not far from the Red Line subway Dupont station. There are small restaurants and bookstores next to the street. The hotel facilities are quite new and clean; the bedding is soft; the bathroom supplies daily in the room; the only thing that needs attention is the hot water and the conversion socket Fortunately, every morning there is hot coffee and water in the lobby, and newspapers are provided.

What an absolutely amazing stay in the nations capital. My room was incredibly clean and it was even quiet, considering that there was a rooftop bar with live music. I slept well. And, I’m really grateful that they are in such close proximity to a Walgreens, which is right on the corner. I travel often and often forget a thing or two or just need simple things like bottles of water (I drink half a gallon to a gallon per day). But I want to give a big huge shout out to the staff particularly Jessica, Michael and Chris. I was traveling with someone with dementia. We were in town for the Alzheimer’s Association ball. And, they truly treated my travel companion with kid gloves! The staff were considerate to her needs and patient with her every step of the way. I even accidentally left my jacket in the hotel room trying to take care of my friend and Jessica call me later on that day to let me know that she found it and that she would personally ship it out. This jacket is very personal and special to me and has quite a bit of sentimental value so I’m so incredibly grateful that I didn’t lose it and that it’s on the way back to me. This was a great stay, a great hotel! You feel safe in a big city and the café downstairs has some of the best coffee I’ve ever had in my life!

This was my third visit to The Darcy in DC. The bathrooms are small, but the rooms are very comfortable. I love the daily cocktail tasting, and the staff are always exceptional. The location is ideal with outstanding restaurants and shopping within walking distance.

The trip was great and the stay at the hotel totally contributed to this. I would recommend the hotel and will also stay here again.

My first room was ok until the lights started flickering and wouldn't turn off. The TV n remote then malfunctioned. So i went to the front desk and De'Angelo helped us. He sent a staff up top check it out. After thr engineer came up, he left to tell De'Angelo to switch or room. So they did, but only thing they had available was a downgraded room, so he put in some notes for us and got us comped a room with a balcony for out last night's stay. He and the night staff are excellent and he's only been here a short while. Now the day staff on other hand was terrible. Went t.i grint desk at 11 to inquire about our room upgrade, and was told it's being prepared, but we didn't get switched until about 4pm. We had an itinerary that we couldnt complete due to us waiting for our room switch. Also asked room service for 2 sets of silverware, and they brought them up about an hour and a half later, and also entered our room without notice while iwas in the shower. So when u come to the Watergate, your night experience will be way more enjoyable then dealing with day staff.

I have enjoyed several stays at Hotel Hive over the past year and it gets better each time. This place elevates ”quirky” to an art form. Every room is unique, and the building itself is neatly wedged between F and Virginia Ave on the fringe of the GW campus and is in walking distance to the Kennedy Center. For more ambitious hikers you can walk just about anywhere in DC within 45 min. -- or if you really like to live dangerously, roll the dice with Metro at nearby Foggy Bottom. West End DC is generally quiet and bucolic with a lot of students dotting the sidewalks day and night. Note: Hive is a Funkatorium. It wears Hipster on its sleeve but does so with warmth, style, and the right amount of snark. (If you like Hampton Inn, you might not like it here). As a micro, some rooms 6 feet wide, some a foot or two larger than the bedframe, but the coveted Octagon rooms offer 8 windows of streaming light. I played with the automatic shades for a couple of hours. The staff is unfailingly charming, with positive energy bordering perky. (I normally hate perky but for them it works). Brooke, Kiera, and Q are adorable and sit way up on the service chain. (A part of me wanted to give a fake 1-star review simply on the off chance I might dissuade one of you cuz on busy weeks rooms can be hard to come by. But the staff worked too hard to do that).