In the Lap of Luxury Four New Hotels Spice Up Stays in Nationís Capital by Anna Gawel From the venerable hotel dynasties that have sheltered presidents, political heavyweights and screen legends since the early 20th century, to the steady stream of more contemporary hotels that have cropped up over the years, the nationís capital boasts an incomparable array of hotels that have made this city a destination of choice among tourists, business travelers and diplomats alike. Amid this already crowded and competitive landscape comes the arrival of several newcomers determined to make a name for themselves and give their well-established counterparts a run for their money. Armed with an arsenal of lavish amenities, stunning interior design and the backing of companies with international acclaim in the world of luxury hotels, these young upstarts are sure to become a formidable challenge to their hospitality rivals and give travelers even more choices when searching for that perfect stay in Washington. Pulling a one-two-three punch on the competition is the Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, whose trendy three new additions to the Washington hotel sceneóHotel Monaco Washington D.C., Hotel Rouge and Topaz Hotelóespouse cool and are sure to shake up the stuffy mix of conservative chain hotels in the city. All three are boutique hotels, designed in a whimsical yet witty flair of mohair, crimson, leatherette and a heap of other funky touchesóeach an oasis of fun in its own way. Monaco Madness Starting off this fanciful journey is the Hotel Monaco, which transports visitors to a different time and place with its fusion of 19th-century architecture and elegance and quirky 20th-century dÈcor. Housed in the original General Post Office Building on F Street, NW, this grand, 184-room marble structure occupies a block of downtown and is as sleek and stylish as its neighboróthe new International Spy Museum. The Kimpton Group actually preserved much of the buildingís original architecture, created in the 19th century by Robert Millsóarchitect of the Washington Monumentóand Thomas Walteróone of the architects of the U.S. Capitol. Beverly Hills designer Cheryl Rowley then updated the interior with her own contemporary complements, striving for a ìclassical balance combined with restrained elegance.î The result is an odd juxtaposition of old and new that adds to Monacoís distinctive allure, allowing visitors to revel in its chic, old-world ìCasablancaî feel while maintaining the comforts of modern-day amenities, such as CD players and Nintendo games. The Monaco design philosophy was to ìevoke the romance of travel and worldly sophistication in a plush, yet ultimately comforting environment,î and hotel designers used every nook and cranny to make that mantra ring true. Majestic 19th-century columns are up lit by Italian chrome and alabaster torches; federal-style draperies are colored with bold stripes of black and cream; and low-slung sofas are upholstered in crimson mohair, all of which is interspersed with bright splashes of red and orangeóand thatís just the lobby. The funky furnishings extend to the guest rooms, where neoclassic armoires stand next to three-legged contemporary desks and beds accented with crimson cashmere throws. Each room also holds a bust of Thomas Jefferson in a playful nod to the cityís history. Business travelers need not fret eitheróthereís more than 7,000 square feet of modern, richly designed meeting space to take advantage of, and rooms come complete with two-line data ports and free high-speed Internet service. And in the hotelsí never-ending quest to top each other in providing guests the ultimate in amenities, the Hotel Monaco succeeds in offering some very unusual services. Thereís a complimentary evening wine reception, ìtall roomsî with extra-long beds, high ceilings and raised showerheads to accommodate the vertically imposing, and for those reluctant to leave their furry feline or canine friends at home, the hotel has a pet-friendly policy. And in case youíre still lacking in animal companionship, guests can request a complimentary goldfish delivered to their rooms. Unusual Utopia The Kimpton Group stepped up this innovative design and service philosophy with the Topaz Hotel, another boutique hotel geared especially toward the weary traveler. The 99-room, 10-story hotel located near Dupont Circle exudes a certain serenity, touting itself as a personal sanctuary to soothe the mind, body and spiritóa hotel utopia of sorts. From the moment guests step into this new age haven, their senses go into overload. Staff members clad in orange silk tunics and blue and green Nehru jackets greet guests as they walk by a sumptuous daybed in the main lobby that looks as if itís been plucked from a sultanís royal palace. Inspired by the peacock as a symbol of spirituality in the East and opulence in the West, the Topazís exotic blend of color and design is evident in every piece of furnitureófrom the zebra-patterned ottomans to the polka-dotted gray and blue silk headboards in the bedrooms, tempered only by the silky throw pillows and European down comforters on the beds. But the hotel staff doesnít just pay lip service to wellness and healthy living, they incorporate it into every facet of the total Topaz experience. Complimentary energy potions with gingko, ginseng or wheat grass are served, as is a wholesome continental breakfast including soy milk, fruit compote and fitness bars. A roving concierge is also available for tips on Chinese herbalists and cardio workout classes, or guests can simply retreat to their own personal yoga room carved out in the guest room. Personalized horoscope wake-up calls and a turndown service that places smooth river stones on your sheets are some of Topazís other twists on the typical hotel amenities. But donít worryóthereís plenty of excess to go around as well. For those looking to recharge their Austin Powers í70s mojo, check out the Topaz Barólined in floor-to-ceiling sapphire velvet mohairóand try a signature cocktail served by waitresses in patent leather go-go boots. Looking to spice up that next business conference? Simply hold it in one of the Topazís Enlightenment and Sanctuary roomsómeeting spaces slathered in a striking backdrop of gold and light metallic green. Or treat yourself to the Big Rub package, which includes overnight accommodations, tranquility CDs, energy potion and, of course, that refreshing ìbig rubîóa massage, that is. Although the package is a little priceyó$299 per nightóthe regular rates for the hotel, which start at $145, are not that unreasonable compared to some of the other high-end boutique hotels across the nation. Seeing Red From Zen to zany, the Kimpton Groupís funky design formula goes into overdrive with Hotel Rougeóan ultra-hip, ultra-hot hotel located on Embassy Row off 16th Street whose over-the-top approach is already attracting a lot of buzz. Letís just say that if you donít like seeing redóliterallyóthis may not be the place for you. As its name implies, Hotel Rouge prides itself on its eye-popping use of the color red. Mini-bars are stocked with hot tamales, red wax lips and Red Bull energy drinks; crimson velvet drapes hang in the guest rooms; and retro, nickel-wrapped furniture graces the 137-room hotel. The result of this rouge romp is an ambiance that is sizzling, sexy and, well, a little scaryóafter all, a 10 a.m. bloody Mary hour and enormous faux red leather headboards might not be for everyone. But for those who do opt for all the indulgences that this ballsy boutique has to offer, theyíre in for one fantastic ride. Of course, the hotel does not sacrifice function for style: Some of the more practical appointments found in guest rooms include 27-inch flat-screen televisions, free high-speed Internet service and 10-foot mahogany desks. The Red Hot, Lava and Blush rooms also offer modern conference space for business meetingsóalong with a little something extra: Slinkies and Play-Doh to stimulate creativity. Also reflective of the Hotel Rougeís offbeat sense of humor is the Dysfunctional Family Supper night, where every Sunday, guests can enjoy a three-course meal prepared by famed chef John Wabeck while watching films by Francis Ford Coppola. Tired travelers, on the other hand, can opt for the hotelís Red Eye package, which features a 6 a.m. check-in time, free laundry service, eucalyptus bath, melatoninóan herbal remedy for jet-lagóand a slice of cold pizza to awaken the senses. All of this frivolity doesnít come cheapóthe Red Eye package costs $275 per night while regular room rates for Hotel Rouge range from $125 to $255. In fact, the daring, design-driven style of boutique hotels can get pretty priceyórates for the Hotel Monaco can go up to $825 for suitesó and thus these types of hotels were especially hit hard by corporate belt-tightening in the wake of Sept. 11. According to Smith Travel Research and a USA Today report, nationwide revenue for boutique hotels fell from $1.8 billion in 2000 to $1.6 billion in 2001, and Kimptonís sales dropped 15 percent to $350 million last year. But analysts say bookings are up for the second half of the year, and Kimptonís room occupancy rates have increased from 45 percent post-Sept. 11 to 66 percent this spring. Industry watchers are also curious to see if the Kimpton Groupís edgy approach will win over Washington, D.C.ís traditionally conservative clientele. But the company is confident that it will be able to lure young, sophisticated urbanites to its new properties and build the type of strong presence its hotels already enjoy in cities such as San Francisco and Chicago. French Fare On a more subdued but no less impressive note, the stately Sofitel propertiesóowned by Accor Hotels & Resorts and based out of Parisórecently opened the luxurious Sofitel Lafayette Square, a stoneís throw away from the White House. The massive endeavor, which took three years and $80 million to complete, brings a touch of French class to the nationís capital. Located on Lafayette Square on the corner of 15th and H streets, the Sofitel is built on the former Shoreham office building. Accor management worked to preserve the structureís original 1920s art moderne architectural style and maintain the buildingís many distinctive elements, such as the 17-foot coffered ceilings and travertine columns with green marble floors in the lobby. In addition, builders restored many of the rooms to their original splendor, including the dramatic 12th-floor outdoor terrace. Management also imported their French background when laying out the foundation for the hotel. In fact, many aspects of the new Sofitel can be traced to the companyís Parisian roots. ìWe approach the hotel business with the traditional European hospitality values,î said Sebastien Carre, Sofitelís director of operations. Paris-based interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, for example, took on the task of refurbishing the hotel using a style reminiscent of classic Parisian and Manhattan 1930s art deco along with a subtle blend of contemporary twists. Carre himself is a native of Lyon, France, and designers have scattered little reminders of the Sofitelís connection to France throughout the hotel, including various black-and-white prints linking Paris and Washington, D.C. The European influence is also evident in the Sofitelís restaurant, CafÈ 15. Acclaimed Michelin three-star chef Antoine Westermann, who hails from Strasbourg, France, heads up CafÈ 15 along with a team of other chefs specializing in contemporary French cuisine. No details have been spared either to meet the guestsí needs. Guest rooms are equipped with two- and three-line phones, voice mail and high-speed WebTV. A total of five conference and banquet rooms with more than 6,000 square feet of meeting space and the latest in high-tech gadgetry is also available, as is a 2,200-square-foot, above-ground ballroom. Although eclectic and visually stunning, the dÈcor in the 237-room hotel is more muted than that of the Kimpton Group hotels, and, as Carre noted, is more aptly described as a ìfusion of historical renovation and contemporary design without being too trendy,î which may be more of a draw to the cityís less daring hotel connoisseurs. The actual opening of the Sofitel was pushed back several months because construction had to be suspended shortly after Sept. 11 as a result of the hotelís close proximity to the White House. Security concerns were also taken into account and forced some alterations to the original layoutóincluding shifting the Presidential Suite down one floor from the top floor in response to a State Department recommendation. Despite the delay, Carre said that business for the hotel, which officially opened in June, is right on track. ìWe were less affected than our competitors [by Sept. 11] simply because we were not open. We have had a good summer and are pleased with the resultsÖ. Government-related and diplomatic-related travel has not decreased,î Carre noted, adding that ìthe occupancy rate is actually higher than we anticipated. I think the hotel has found its place in the market.î Carre said he is optimistic that the Sofitelís bottom line will continue to increase in the fall, particularly in light of the World Bank and IMF meetings this past September, which typically bring an influx of bookings for area hotels. Management is also hoping that the hotelís historical background and opulent French ambiance will attract business, particularly diplomatic delegations, away from the nearby Hay-Adams Hotel and Willard Inter-Continental Washington. The mere fact that major projects such as the Sofitel and the three Kimpton properties have recently been completed bolsters the notion that, despite the blow Washington tourism took after Sept. 11, the hotel industry in the area is recovering and showing small but undeniable signs of growth. Carre added that although his hotel is part of a much larger chain, the Sofitel will retain its individualistic qualities because Accor management is not bent on mass producing their product: ìThe objective here is not to have 600 Hotel Sofitels, but 40 or 50 in North America that can also be used to build brand recognition for other Sofitels around the world.î Individualized attention and Sofitelís lush, signature French style are what Carre said will make his new hotel a premier D.C. hot spot that pulls rank with the likes of the Hay, the Four Seasons and the Willard, and, in the process, infuses a shot of joie de vie into the nationís capital. Anna Gawel is the assistant editor for The Washington Diplomat.