PHOTO: © FRANCIS X. GALLAGHER
ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: I drove from Philadelphia on a pleasant Thursday this summer to visit the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, the venue chosen for the 2021 FXExpress awards. The route from the Baltimore–Washington Parkway to the hotel was straightforward. The hotel sits across from the National Portrait Gallery and is only a few blocks from the National Mall, so it’s conveniently located without the worst of downtown congestion. Valet parking was quick and hassle-free; the attendant parked my car in the hotel garage, which meant I didn’t have to worry about parking in D.C. for the day.
The building itself is a historic landmark designed by Robert Mills, the architect behind the Washington Monument. The original structure opened in 1842 as the General Post Office, and a new section by Thomas Ustick Walter—who later designed the U.S. Capitol dome—was added in 1855. Construction paused during the Civil War, and after the post office relocated the building housed various government agencies. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971, remained vacant for several years, and was restored and reopened by Kimpton as the Monaco in the early 2000s.
Check-in was efficient and welcoming. This visit took place in July, right after D.C. relaxed its mask guidance for vaccinated people, so the atmosphere felt more like pre-pandemic normalcy.
GUEST QUARTERS: My room on the third floor required a short elevator ride and a walk through an adjoining section of the hotel down a wide corridor featuring large hanging shades over the lights—a striking design detail. The building’s tall ceilings, a hallmark of the original architecture, create an airy feeling that historically helped keep interiors cool before central air conditioning.
The spacious room had a king bed with a large lion sculpture mounted above it. Opposite the bed, a round glass-top table and chairs faced a built-in cabinet with a flat-screen TV and a sizeable bust of Thomas Jefferson, which also served well as a workstation for two Zoom meetings I attended after arrival. Convenient power outlets and USB ports were integrated into the headboard and table. By the window there was a comfortable chair with a small table and footstool for relaxing.
The bathroom was generous in size, featuring a tub/shower combo with a bowed curtain and strong water pressure. Toiletries from Atelier Bloem were provided, with fragrances of basil, green apple, and orange blossom. Overall, the room was comfortable and the bed provided an excellent night’s rest.
SERVICES/AMENITIES: I had dinner and drinks at Dirty Habit, the hotel’s on-site restaurant and bar, which also includes an outdoor patio popular with locals. The tuna tartare with watermelon was exceptional and worth trying. The following month the hotel hosted our event in the Paris Ballroom, an impressive historic space topped by a large central dome that fills the room with natural light—a reminder that the building predates widespread electrical lighting. The hotel also features the Athens Ballroom on the opposite side of the property; both ballrooms are attractive choices for weddings and other significant events.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
Dirty Habit provides the feeling of being outdoors thanks to its all-glass design while still offering shelter from the elements.
The hotel’s central location is excellent: it’s within easy walking distance of many of Washington, D.C.’s main attractions.
KIMPTON MONACO WASHINGTON, DC
700 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004
tel 202 628 7117
monaco-dc.com