Honeymooner's Love Nest
Written: May 11 '03 (Updated May 11 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Lovely suite in a nice part of the District.
Cons: Pricey.
The Bottom Line: Lovely nest for honeymooners, perfect for the business traveler with a large per diem.
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| salme's Full Review: The Melrose Hotel Washington |
Lovely and yet more lovely, the Melrose Hotel in Washington, DC offers old-world elegance in a big-city setting.
When my then-fiancé ordered us a room for two nights in DC, I expected something nice, lovely, even sumptuous. I have to give him credit, though. I never expected a four-room suite.
I needed a room for the night prior to our wedding because his home and mine were over-crowded with visitors. It made sense to get one that was also for our honeymoon night, so we wouldn't have to travel far after all the partying, but could get some privacy away from our visiting relatives.
When I walked into the property late Friday, I knew my hubby had done well. The Melrose is a "new" hotel just one block from Georgetown, within walking distance of the Foggy Bottom Metro stop. As one of three hotels in a very small chain (the others are in Dallas and New York), Melrose provides the comfort and luxury of the grandest hotels in the world.
Hotel: Inside and Out
Between the White House and Georgetown on Pennsylvania Avenue, Melrose caters to business travelers and tourists alike. Well, not alike. The bulk of their sales is during the week to well-heeled business travelers, but this makes for excellent deals on the weekends, when the hotel is less crowded. A valet parking service in their half-circle driveway makes it easy to get out and unload. Around-the-clock concierge and bell-hop service makes getting upstairs a breeze.
The decor was unbelievable. According to their website:
"The Melrose Hotel, Washington, D.C. has just completed a full-scale, multi-million dollar renovation of the entire property. Each of the guest rooms, all of the public space, and the social and meeting facilities have been newly refurbished, and guests will be greeted in an intimate lobby with new restaurant and bar…. Original artwork commissioned for the hotel adorns each room and features watercolor renderings of the city's famed historical attractions. "
The care and attention to luxury shows in every crevice. The foyer is a riot of plush couches, beautiful paintings, soft music, marble floors, and uniformed and suited concierge and bell-hops that add to the romantic atmosphere. There is also a refurbished fitness center, though there is no swimming pool.
Note the Library Bar, a classy place to sit in a wingback chair and read or be seen. Or the Landmark Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. The small dining room serves a buffet Sunday brunch that we enjoyed; though delicious, it was a bit pricey at $20 per person.
Suite for the Sweet
Our room was a four-room suite. A large entryway with a hall closet was larger than many hotel bathrooms I've seen. The room opened into a hall with a study nook, separated by a half-wall on the living room side of the suite. The living room was large, with huge windows covered by heavy drapes. A couch, TV, sidechair, and coffee table are all well-coordinated and comfortable.
A short hallway to the left of the Living Room takes you to the bedroom and bath. The Bathroom was large, with every amenity you can imagine or need. The Bedroom was somewhat too small for the furniture: a King Bed, two nightstands, and an armoire housing a second TV and safe consumed the entire space, though there was also a small clothes closet. Still, the bed was one of the most comfortable I've seen, and with the added space of the other rooms, we were not cramped.
Most rooms include ample storage space, AC/heat controls, large televisions with remotes, huge bathrooms, all vying for attention once your eyes begin roaming the lovely rooms. Special room features include two-line telephones in every room, easily accommodating your modem. Wireless Internet access is a plus (but you must have your own wireless network card), while standards such as cable TV, in-room movies (pay-per-view and HBO), in-room coffee makers, terry robes, a full ensemble of toiletries, complimentary newspaper, and ironing equipment simplify your life.
Price
Wow. Even on the cheap, it ain't cheap. For two special nights, it cost us about US$360. This was on a weekend, through a discount online fare-finder. The weekday rate is, I'm sure, much higher. Though I heartily recommend this hotel, its location and flavor will forbid the common traveler from an extended stay. It is heartily recommended for business travelers and those seeking a romantic getaway.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
salme
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Location: University Park, MD
Reviews written: 32
Trusted by: 5 members
About Me:
Professional editor and freelance writer.
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