Rosewood, Washington DC
 

Booking/Planning We had one night away after dropping our kids off in NC with my parents and we wanted to eat at Obelisik on the way home and spend a night in DC. LM225 had a recent stay at the PH and with that inspiration I booked us the night there. However; as always I big time waffled; also considering both the FS and Rosewood. I’ve stayed at bot the FS and the PH in the past so it was really tempting to try a new property. Besvisor grew to pretty much hate me I’m sure (though a logical conclusion). Given the number of nights I’ve stayed at the PH (mostly with our kids too); felt that the Rosewood would be a more intimate hotel. I asked Besvisor to see if the virtuoso amenities would be combinable with the Suite Retreat package and he reached out to the hotel and confirmed that. In addition he was able to secure an upgrade at booking from the Rosewood to Georgetown suite. This all occurred in the week prior to our arrival. I also received a pre-arrival questionnaire asking preferences etc so I figured I would try this whole stay list. The price per night was in between the PH/FS just for reference for a suite. Arrival Our day started like this: wake up at 515 AM, bundle our three kids into the car and then drive them to NC to meet my parents for the hand off. Sadly the traffic on I-95 was horrible so we ended up meeting my parents in VA after 5 hours and relieving ourselves of our burden; I mean our kids. We then U-turned our horrendously messy Toyota Siena and set forth for the Rosewood. What should have taken 3 hours at that point took us almost 4.5 also due to traffic. Thanks I-95! Anyway the Rosewood is quite a small hotel without great signage so we almost missed it on our first try. They have one person who works the door; which I felt was too few. He offered help with our bags, which we declined. I was hoping he would dispose of our van (permantely) actually but sadly it still survives, albeit littered with cheezits and carrots. Thanks offspring. The Rosewood is quite a small hotel (49 rooms and suites) and we were escorted to check in , which is a single desk tucked behind glass doors. I think they really make an effort to separate public and guest spaces. We were greeted by name and offered our choice of water or coffee/tea and macaroons, which we accepted. The macaroons were small but delicious. Check in was quick (ID/CC) and virtuoso amenities were acknowledged ($100 F/B mainly, $35 per person breakfast). The agent escorted us to our room on the fourth floor and showed us around the room (noted the light function, minibar, etc) Room The Rosewood suite is the second tier suite. The entry level, Georgetown Suite, measures at less than 600 square feet. The Rosewood suite is quoted as 863 square feet; which is still quite small. It felt quite intimate, but it seemed that perhaps it could have been laid out a bit more effectively to feel larger. For example the entry hallway was quite large and I would have liked to have seen that space more incorporated into the bedroom and sitting room. The sitting room had a mirrored piece that jutted out about 1 foot from the wall that also took space away. Furthermore, there was a large marble coffee table that just made the room feel smaller. Fortunately they had quite large windowswhich was nice. However, while there were French balconies that overlooked the canal they didn’t open (and the canal was unfortunately under construction The furniture choices were also quite peculiar. They had two random chairs that didn’t seem comfortable at all and the love seat was a strange choice. However, I will say that we enjoyed a bottle of champagne in the living room and it felt quite cozy. The bedroom was also quite small. I did enjoy the comfortable bed. In contrast the bathroom was gigantic, perhaps overly so in comparison to the other spaces. Toilet and bidet, which again took up a lot of space (just put in a Toto!) Large egg shaped tub that was great for soaking; however, poor design for filling it would result in water splashing everywhere. Bottega Veneto toiletries which were nice but the smallest little bottles. Overall I will say that the suite did have a degree of intimacy; especially in comparison to the FS/PH Public Areas It’s not a large hotel. The top floor is really the only public areas to speak of. There’s a nice bar up there that has a small menu.. The weather was quite nice while we were there so that area made a great space to spend time in. Nice view over Georgetown rooftops. We also took breakfast up there as well. In addition there’s also a small indoor/outdoor pool which was refreshing and a tiny exercise room which went unused. No spa, but apparently spa servies are available in room… on the ground floor they have a living area space which has some couches and drinks and snacks available throughout the day (pastries/granola bar in the morning; macaroons in the afternoon). It didn’t appear that there was a business center, but then again I didn’t look too hard. Dining We took two meals while we were there: breakfast and brunch.. The breakfast was quite solid. I had duck confit hash which was spot on and my wife had eggs and sausage; which she declared done quite nicely; really enjoying the sausage (she always remarks about how disappointing the breakfast is at the FS Baltimore) . since we had the Virtuoso F and B credit so we took brunch as well. I had heirloom tomatoe gazpacho which we spot on and my burger was quite good as well. My wife’s salad was solid and her avocado toast, while simple and hipster, was good. In addition the chef also sent out us out the mini donuts to try as they were a new item. They were ok; perhaps a little heavier than I would have liked. Overall, the food and beverage (well mainly food) surprised me and was tastier than I had anticipated. Location Right smack dab in the middle of Georgetown. If that’s where you want to be then the location can’t be beat. One block away from our favorite cupcake place in the world, Baked and Wired. The RC does match it. The FS is located further down at the end of Georgetown and the PH is in no man’s land between Georgetown and Dupont. So, for what we go to DC for it’s the best location. Now if you’re hoping to visit monuments and whatever then the location is horrible. There are no metro stops nearby…. Service Overall the service was solid. My stay requests were all met for the most part. I requested extra pillows and we had an abundance to say the least. Furthermore I noted we liked chocolate and they had chocolate cookies, chocolate milk and more chocolate waiting for us. In addition they had a fruit platter waiting. I also noted that we liked both still and sparkling water so they had an abundance of water waiting for us (8 bottles!). However, they fell a little flat here because I think they use house purified/carbonated water and while the bottle would say still it would be sparkling and vice versa. Figured this out when I tried to fill up the coffee machine with what I thought was till but started bubbling.. So good intentions but poor execution. One odd thing is I couldn’t figure out where the hotel information booklet was; which I always love going through.. Another thing to note is that there is not a car service available here.. All and all I thought the service from everyone we interacted with was quite good. We had gone up to use the pool before breakfast (which is right adjacent to the bar/patio) and the waiter asked if we wanted any water/coffee/tea. He waited on us actually for both breakfast and brunch and did a nice job. The checkin agent had asked us what our plans for dinner was and when we saw him the next day asked us how we liked Obelisik. I’m not sure though if there is a formal concierge or anything at the hotel. Departure We asked for late check out (2 PM) and it was granted. After brunch I asked for them to bring our car around (sadly it was still our van) while we gathered our belongings from the room. When we came down they had our folio waiting (correct; except I didn’t’ see a charge for valet but I didn’t contest them) and our car was out front. The bellboy offered water as well as a granola bar for the ride home, which we took. Overall Overall I was very pleased with out stay. While the suite was a bit smaller than I would have liked due to layout it was still quite comfortable. Food and Beverage and Service exceeded my expectations. It was nice to have such a small intimate hotel. Things felt serene; there definitely wasn’t any hustle and bustle and lots of privacy. There was a thread recently that talked about what luxury is: for me it’s all about privacy and this met the mark. It was a nice change of pace to have a smaller hotel; however at the same time it did have its drawbacks. All and all, while the PH is my usual choice, if the price delta is within $100 -$150 I would pick the Rosewood over the PH.

Great review - thank you for the write-up! I need to visit family in the DC area and this place might be just the excuse to make the trip...

Thanks for the excellent and detailed review!^

Interesting perspective. The Rosewood's location definitely looks excellent.

Just wondering: Is the location of the Park Hyatt, Fairmont Georgetown and RC Washngton (all within a block of each other and about a 10min walk East from the Rosewood) really that much worse?

great write up docwu. Looks well decorated and very tastefully done! Nice that they have a pool for such a small hotel.

Very nice review, thanks a lot! I like the room-design and guess it would be an Option if I come to Washingtonin the future.

Just remember the location. Depending on where your family is it could be a pain. Traffic in Georgetown is a bear and like I said there's not any subway access

I find the West End very sterile (is that the proper name for it?) I think it's only saving grace is that it's close to Georgetown, close to Foggy Bottom, and close to Dupont... but it's not really anywhere.. kind of like Baltimore (close to DC, close to Philly/NYC). I guess if you need to be at the American College of Cardiology or the World Wildlife Federation that's perfect but for what we were looking for the Rosewood was perfect. 10 minutes won't kill you, but there's something so nice about walking out and being right in the middle of Georgetown; plus also how quiet and private it is... Another thing to note is that every time I'e stayed at the PH (maybe 5 times) is that there is siren noise for ambulances heading to GW Hospital

Thanks yes I do think it's quite tasteful. Of note that the pool is apparently open 24 hours; but there is an end that is also jetted during daylight hours. It's a great option after a day of walking around

Appreciate it!

One thing I forgot to note and it was absolutely a quibble of mine: there was no ice in the room. Ice bucket sure, but no ice was provided at arrival or turn down. Now I'm not sure if I was supposed to request it (which seems odd) but I couldn't find the hotel information booklet to confirm such... Given that all the water was room temperature, ice was a necessity...

FDW

Wow, this went up quickly!

Thanks for sharing, glad y'all had a good time. Well done on the hotel for executing on the stay list (sounds like they really took the chocolate preference to heart).

The decor looks very, very different from any other hotel in DC I've seen. Intimate is a good word.

Thanks for the report. This looks quite promising for DC. I have been staying at the RC and PH in the West End. The area is a little sterile, but I actually like that area because it is within walking distance of both Dupont Circle and Georgetown.

Thanks for the review!

I've been a few times to this Capella-turned-Rosewood property for brunch with family and colleagues. I've always enjoyed the brunch here, and the airy-feeling dining room.

The decor in your suite looks surprisingly like what I remember from when this was the Capella. I do rememmber thinking that the rooms/suites were on the small side but had a concomitant cozy ambience. You nailed it.

fantastic, as always! glad rosewood kept guest-only rooftop (and lounge)

properties like this are great for those of us who want to avoid crowds

Rosewood is really getting better and better by the minute. Looks like a lovely hotel, and thanks for the great review.

One thing I find slightly amusing is the Bud Light bottle that kind of sticks out in that otherwise very nicely stocked mini bar. But of course that could be replaced or otherwise fixed by a call to room service!

Yeah I've been trying to not take 6 months to write a review. It's a little easier when things are fresh....

I wonder what would happen if I put "I'ld like doves in my room" on the stay list..

That's the best part about the West End is that one can be into Dupont/Georgetown/Foggy Bottom in about ten minutes. I'ld love to try one of the properties closer to the White House sometime but they seem to be a bit different then what I tend to like...

We actually quite enjoyed lunch here; as well as all our food. However, I did not have a chance to test their AC or their egg making ability.. I don't think that they did any renovated when they changed flags...

Primarily the reason I chose to try this hotel. I love peace and quiet- that for me is luxury...

Thanks for taking the time to read it... yeah I know, Bud Light... awfully random. Fever tree tonic, Voss water, Billecart... and Bud Light????

FDW

:D. Yes Billecart-Salmon next to Bud Light is an interesting juxtaposition! Clearly whoever is in charge of selecting the minibar items must not be a beer drinker. They should find something nice from a local microbrewery instead.

I don't believe there was any renovation. When I did my visit of rooms/suites, they did tell me their air con would bring temps down to 65 F. So I'm hopeful.

Pricing for the hotel hasn't yet tempted me to stay here. But it's on my list. D.C. just isn't a city where I'd tend to go for broke since I grew up nearby.

even nice beer plus bud would be ok, but just bud, perhaps out of other?

forgot to mention, always enjoy / appreciate food photos, especially cities

agreed, i wish there were more similar (and even smaller) properties