Kimpton Mason and Rook, Washington DC

What is your Priority Club status? Spire Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay? Yes.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive? Booked basic room Executive King; paid rate, 3 nights. This was a bit of a splurge as my original plan was to book a lower priced DC Kimpton.

How are the rooms? First room, Executive King, was a little disappointing--view of dumpsters; desk chair, no where else to sit; bathroom counter had no space--room only for a toothbrush. I arrived at 7:30 a.m. from a redeye and was just grateful they'd give me a room that early in the morning. When I returned in the evening, I stopped by the front desk to ask if Spires normally receive an upgrade. He replied we have lots of suites, let me switch you. Much better--highest category room, called a King Spa Suite. Separate livingroom/bedroom, huge, enough seating for 10 people; view of front/street/trees/neighborhood; Keurig coffee maker, safe, iron; big bathroom with lots of counter space and a narrow, very deep bathtub; big separate shower, marble floor. Room/hotel are new and fresh;decor has kind of a masculine feel.

[If you are Spire]
How was your complimentary welcome amenity?
I actually received two amenities, I suppose because I booked 3 nights, but on 2 reservations. First one was very nice cheese & fruit platter, nothing to drink. Next day the second one was cheese, fruit, flat bread crackers, 1 bottle of mineral water.

Did you raid the minibar? If so, what did you take? Yes, I also received 2 raid the minibar cards, which they honored. I took a Nantucket orange juice and Like bar from the minibar (came to $9). Next night I used the other card for a cocktail with my dinner at the restaurant. Front desk did the deductions.

Were you offered a Chef's Taste at Dinner, If so, what did you receive? No.

Did you use the free spa credit / did the hotel participate? If so, was it a good value? N/A

What was good and what was bad? Very nice property. Obviously the room upgrade was super. Ate breakfast 4 mornings in the restaurant and it was good albeit pricey, with tip came to $20-$25. During the week the place is packed with 30 somethings, way too much for me to even attempt dinner or drinks by myself. Ditto the 5-6 p.m. wine hour. Inside restaurant is small with mostly high barstool type seats (I prefer regular chairs/tables), loud music. Friday night was quieter so I had dinner outside on the patio even though it was really hot/humid. Much better than inside--quieter and my kind of chairs/tables. Food was good.

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return? As mentioned this was a splurge, one of the middle range Kimptons in the DC area (there are many to choose from). I find Kimpton's Guest Amenity fee plus tax really annoying. I know resort fees are the norm everywhere in Vegas, but not so much in the rest of the U.S. Also disappointing that $ spend at the Kimpton hotel restaurants do not count as qualified spend for IHG points.This was in a nice neighborhood location, but not close enough to a metro (for me). I used Uber and the Circulator bus once for $1 (very close, half a block away by Shake Shack). I rationalized the higher price because at the last minute this property was a participant in the stay 2 nights, get a future IHG free night promo. Certainly very different ambiance from IC Willard. I might stay again because the room upgrade really added to the experience, but likely only for a special occassion.