I recently completed a one-night stay at the beautiful Hotel Palomar in Washington, DC’s Dupont Circle neighborhood. The hotel, located at 2121 P St NW, is in a great neighborhood within an easy walk to many of DC’s best restaurants, and a quick taxi ride to almost anywhere you’d want to be in DC. I arrived around 6PM, and checked out the next morning by 7am, so I was not able to enjoy many of the hotel’s amenities, including the well regarded restaurant, Urbana, but I did want to share the details of my stay with you.

Check in

I arrived at the hotel via the world’s longest taxi ride through DC’s notorious traffic. Having lived there for several years, I can say that traffic was worse than usual for reasons unknown. No matter, I really wished I had taken Metro by the time I finally arrived at the hotel. The Dupont Circle metro station is 1.5 blocks away from the hotel, an easy walk given that I was traveling light. Lessons learned.

Bell staff immediately greeted me upon arrival. While I rarely need luggage assistance, I always appreciate it when bell staff are on the ball, and greet you before your feet hit the ground. I proceeded inside to find a busy, but not overly so, lobby. I waited no longer than half a minute until one of the front desk staff finished checking in another customer and called me forward. I was greeted with a smile and welcome, and within a few seconds of giving my name and handing over my credit card, my Inner Circle status was noted, and I was greeted with the nice surprise of an upgrade to a deluxe suite. The front desk person even noted that I was on the top floor “as I wished.” So far, so good. With that, I was on my way to my room.

The Room

My 10th floor deluxe suite was located just the right amount of steps away from the elevator. I entered to find a large living area, and my Inner Circle welcome gift.

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OK, Kimpton had me at wine hour, but wine in the room…..oh yeah! The room was more than perfect for a solo business traveler on a one night stay, and had all the things I love…… a TV, well-lit desk with plenty of power outlets, and functional wi-fi.

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The adjacent bedroom was comfortable and included a TV as well, large closet….and more power outlets! Yay. In fact, there was a charger for multiple devices so I could charge both cell phones and my iPad right there. Yes, I have way too many electronics. There there are Palomar’s famous leopard print robes. Ha!

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The bathroom, which was accessible from the living area, was large enough, and well appointed.

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Around the Hotel

With my brief stay, I was unable to enjoy the hotel’s fitness center, restaurant, or Kimpton favorite, wine hour. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance. Dupont Circle really is a great spot with plenty to do. I ventured off to a favorite hangout in my old DC neighborhood, Marx Cafe in Mt. Pleasant.

The Bottom Line

Kimpton Rocks. Always has, always will. The Hotel Palomar is a great hotel in a great DC neighborhood. The only thing that would have made my stay better would be getting to the hotel faster, and there’s nothing the hotel can do about that. I will be back.