Hidden Hotel Treasures Spice Up D.C. Hospitality Scene by Christine CubÈ It would make sense that a town such as Washington, D.C., would offer everything a visitor could want. Weíre talking top-of-the-line hotels and restaurants, an infinite selection of retail and shopping resources, historic tourist attractions, museums rich with culture, various sports offeringsóand even the occasional hidden treasure thatís always unexpected but nonetheless a bonus when itís discovered. Washington has those too, and its longtime residents are always surprised when they come across a jewel that has been under their noses the entire time. Jeremiah Cohen knows this story all too well. Cohen, general manager of the Tabard Inn at 1739 N St., NW, said he recently came across a 40-year D.C. resident who had no idea his hotel existed. ìThey never heard of us,î he said. ìAnd they thought they knew everything about the city. We are truly one of a kind.î The 40-room Tabard Inn, with its Victorian frame and tastefully quirky, eclectic dÈcor, sits on a quiet tree-lined street just five blocks from the White House. Each of its sleeping rooms comes in a different design, most of them fitted wi th wrought-iron antique beds and a private bath. (Eight rooms at the hotel come with shared bathroom access, which allows visitors on a budget to save on the cost of a room.) However, donít expect a television in your quaint room at the innóthatís nearly against the policy of the hotel, which takes pride in providing visitors with a super-cozy and relaxed atmosphere to share your traveling stories with other guests just before you turn in for a restful nightís sleep. In fact, the hotelís name directly comes from Geoffrey Chaucerís famed collection of stories, ìThe Canterbury Tales.î The medieval classic was the ìperfect theme for us,î said Cohen, whose family owns the inn. ìItís all about this diverse group of pilgrims that arrive at the Tabard, and they have a contest about who can tell the best story. We are an international destination Ö a home away from home.î Much of the Tabard Innís clientele is international, largely because of its profiles in French, British and Australian travel guides. Other than that, the hotel does no advertising and receives many of its guests through word of mouth. The Tabard Inn actually is a collection of three Victorian townhousesóthe earliest dating to 1870óthat eventually were fused together in 1917 to form the hotel. The new American cuisine at the Tabard Inn restaurant has received rave reviews from notables such as Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema. The menu at the inn changes constantly, offering aromatic sauces, appetizers, and quality seafood, meat and poultry entrees. Check out the Tabard Innís room offerings online through a room tour thatís posted on the hotelís Web site (www.tabardinn.com). Rates range from $85 to $190 for the penthouse. But when youíre out and about in Washington, donít forget to check out some of the other hidden treasures around town. The Mansion on O Street The Mansion on O Street, located at 2020 O St., NW, truly has to be seen to be believed. The Mansion is an adventurous combination of private club, small luxury hotel, conference center, museum and art galleryóall in one. The Mansion has 100 rooms that span five separate homes connected together through the vision and design of its founder, H. H. Leonards Spero. In 1980, Spero bought the first part of the property, an 1892 single family home that had loads of potential and creativity. Since then, Spero bought up surrounding properties and assembled what is known today as the Mansion on O Street. The property boasts a grand ballroom, seven dining rooms, 12 conference and meeting rooms, 18 guest rooms and 16 fireplaces. State-of-the-art technology and modern touches such as 100 televisions and plasma screens fill the facilityósome suites hold as many as eight televisions. The hotel also has a ton of mystique: 21 secret passageways throughout the complex offer access for high-profile guests who want to remain anonymous. In its early beginnings, the Mansion started out as the home of three brothers in the Clark family: Alan, architect of the U.S. Capitol; Champ, speaker of the House during Theodore Rooseveltís presidency; and a third brother, known only as ìthe artistî (Likely no relation to the musician Prince). Today, the Mansion offers a variety of architectural and artistic design styles, from Victorian to Art Deco to Avant-Garde. Room highlights include a two-story log cabin with a bed headboard thatís actually a fish tank and a secluded Art-Deco penthouse with its own private elevator. With such amenities, itís no wonder that the Mansion has become a haven to clientele ranging from presidents to musicians to diplomats. Spero said the Mansion doesnít do a bit of advertising and gets all of its clients through word of mouth. But donít try looking for this hotelóthere isnít any sign out front. Well, there is a small sign, but itís by the front door. ìPeople across the street donít know we exist,î Spero said. ìNothing is typical here, which is why people come backÖ. Every day is different. You do not get bored here.î Staying at the Mansion (www.omansion.com) will cost anywhere from $250 to $2,000 for the most expensive room. The Morrison-Clark Inn The Morrison-Clark Inn at Massachusetts and 11th Street, NW, is a Victorian mansion in the heart of the nationís capital. The Morrison-Clark is one of five hotels in the D.C.-based Classic Hospitality group. It is also the only Washington inn listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Classic Hospitality has four other Washington hotel notables, including the Henley Park Hotel, State Plaza Hotel, Hotel Lombardy and Washington Plaza. Its only restaurant is the Sea Catch Restaurant in Georgetown. But the Morrison-Clark Inn is luxuriously special. Its delicate feel and warmth starts with hotel General Manager Maryalice Giroux and continues through the service of her staff. The inn was built as two separate town homes in 1864. Today, it offers an elegant boutique property with 54 rooms and tons of historic charm. Some guest rooms are fitted with Italian marble fireplaces and all are furnished with period antiques. Rooms come in several different styles: deluxe neoclassical rooms with clean layouts and subtle colors, parlor suites themed in a French country style, and Victorian rooms chock full of rich colors and gorgeous antiques. The Morrison-Clark (www.morrisonclark.com) is located next door to the new Washington Convention Center and regularly hosts special events and functions such as weddings and small business receptions. The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown It might seem absurd to some to include the new Ritz-Carlton Georgetown at 3100 South St., NW, on a list of ìhidden treasuresî in the District, but keep an open mind for a second. For starters, the hotel just opened one year ago and resides in a neighborhood thatís slightly buried near the bustling M Street in Georgetown. But to walk into this grand hotel shows guests that the property offers nothing less than first-class Ritz flair. The hotel, which is built into the old Georgetown Incinerator, has kept a constant fire theme throughout its exposed brick walls and industrial-style dÈcor. For example, thereís the Fahrenheit Restaurant, Degrees Bar and Lounge, a large fireplace in the lobby of the upscale property, and art that complements the fire motif. And donít forget the old incinerator. At the base of the 130-foot chimneystack sits an intimate, 14-person meeting room for small groups. Visit any of the hotelís 86 guest rooms and youíre greeted with stylish and contemporary furnishings against dark wood accents and natural colors. The Ritz-Carlton property features 29 executive suites, and for movie entertainment, thereís a 14-screen Loews Cineplex theater close by. The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown (www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/georgetown) is offering several new hotel packages this summer. Beginning July 18 through the end of the year, Ritz guests can immerse themselves in the hotelís Boutique Spa Package, which starts at $380 for single occupancy. The package includes deluxe accommodations, full breakfast for two at Fahrenheit Restaurant and a choice of one of the following spa treatments: Aromatic massage, soothing power facial or gentlemanís facial. The Churchill Hotel The 144-room Churchill Hotel at 1914 Connecticut Ave., NWóformerly the Sofitelóis situated in the heart of Embassy Row in the Kalorama neighborhood, home to some of Washingtonís most palatial residences. The hotel is also located near the Adams Morgan section of Washington, popular among l ocals for its diverse shops, restaurants and exciting nightlife. The Churchill was built in 1906 as the Highland luxury apartments. Its stylish Beaux-Arts architecture has earned it a place on the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and it is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. The eight-floor property is full of oversize guest rooms decorated in a warm, European style. Rooms feature basic traveler needs: private study area, data port, voicemail, and iron and ironing board. Some of the upgraded rooms also have kitchens. The hotel, which has 1,800 square feet of versatile meeting space, is well equipped to handle small groups from executive gatherings and conferences to banquets and social events. Itís also always a good thing to have someone who knows what theyíre talking about on staff: The Churchill Hotel features a concierge who is a member of the prestigious Les Clefs díOr organization, an exclusive group of hotel professionals who know all there is to know about the towns and cities in which they work. The Churchill (www.thechurchillhotel.com) is now offering an Escape to Washington Package. Starting from $109 a night, guests have the opportunity to stay in one of the Churchillís luxurious, oversized guest rooms and enjoy breakfast for two. Parking comes free with the room. Christine CubÈ is a freelance writer in Alexandria, Va.