Tiny room, big prices

Stayed here last summer, thankfully just for one night. Had spent a few days in the Four Points Sheraton (which was great!) but foolishly decided to "splurge" on a boutique hotel for a treat. What a mistake! I was banished to a tiny room in the basement. High ceilings, but so small I could barely squeeze past the end of the bed, to look out of the window where I was eye level with the road surface of a street with a noisy bar opposite (people parking - very badly ;) all night). Staff were sullen and disinterested on check-in, blatantly dismissive on checkout. I guess they must have taken an instant dislike to me, as looking at the floorplan for the hotel (on the fire notice on back of my door) my room was actually equal smallest in the whole hotel...

Never ever again

This hotel is not worth $200 a night by any stretch of the imagination.

Hated this hotel

I paid a rate of $240 for this hotel in June 2003. What I got was a room in the basement that was so small I could barely fit. When I asked the manager to help me find a different hotel (he would not move me claiming the hotel was full), he refused. The room was so small there was no room to put the TV. It was wall mounted in the corner, like some cheap hotel, and because the room had high ceilings, it was impossible to watch without laying on the bed. Of course, since there was only a desk chair in the room, there was no place to sit anyway. Service was terrible. When I wanted some water from the mini-bar, I realized I had no mini-bar key. When I called, I was told they were out of keys and that someone would be sent to open it for me. It took me two additional calls to get someone to open the mini-bar. Another problem was the bedding. While it would have been fine in the winter, the down comforter was completely inappropriate for the humid weather of June. I could not wait the get out there. When I later emailed the hotel with my complaints, they never responded. I have stayed at other Monaco hotels and other Klimpton properties. They've all been great. The Topaz is a real gem, and the Monaco in Denver is excellent. The Monaco in D.C. was the most expensive and the worst.

What a nice mini-vacation

The hotel is only one block from the Shakespeare Theatre which we were going to see a play at so we decided to stay here. My husband and I had a very pleasant stay. The decor was fun, the staff was nice. It was my husband's birthday so I arranged to have a bottle of wine in our room upon arrival along with a goldfish. The wine was there, but not the goldfish. Oh well, at least the most important thing was there. After the performance, we stopped at their little restaurant for dessert. I was dissapointed by the service and quality of the dessert so we wont do that again. But I would stay at the hotel again. Housekeeping was very good too.

Very pleasant - but less radical than I'd expected

The other reviews here are accurate. The decor is very modern in parts (leopardskin robes!) but surprisingly traditional elsewhere, especially the TV cabinets. As its an old building conversion, however, the mix works. I paid $219 for a two-room suite in August and can't complain - you get double the normal space and a jacuzzi bath. All I would say, however, is that this is not a 'design' hotel in the mould of a 'W'.

Modern and Eclectic!

Recently stayed at the Hotel Monaco and was pleasantly surprised when they allowed us to check in early (1:30pm) as oppoed to the usual 3 pm check-in time. Reserve online at their website (...) and they will let you check out late as well! The room was a tad bit small but very comfortable. The bed looked funky with its orange and blue pillows contrasted with white linens. All very comfortable. The bathroom was very clean with Aveda amenities. Bring CD's cause there is a stereo! Hallways were adorned with post-modern art canvases and large "artsy" benches and lamps hanging from the ceiling. Hotel staff was very friendly and helpful. Complimentary coffee in the morning and wine tasting in the evening. Metro is right across the street. Overall, very wonderful stay at the Hotel Monaco!

Not your typical hotel room

Recently returned from a long 4th of July weekend in DC. Although we won't go back to DC in July, we will definitely stay at the Hotel Monaco again. The rooms were great, high ceilings, bright colors and very clean. The linens were high quality and comfortable. The decor was a little unusual for one ultra conservative member in our party but the rest of us loved it. The location, 3 blocks from the Mall and right across the street from the Spy Museum was excellent. Perfect for tourists who plan on a lot sightseeing and walking.One troublesome issue with the Monaco, they allow pets so beware of barking dogs at night. We had one across the hall from us who barked for about an hour one night. Apparently they reserve certain rooms for guests with pets.

Nice hotel but room was small

We had a nice stay at the hotel. The service was excellent, and the restaurant was also very good. The room was full of amenities, but rather small. It only had a bed, one side table, one desk that doubled as the other side table, and one chair, that's it! No other sofa/lounge or coffee table where you can eat if you order room service. But other than that it was a nice hotel and they had complementary wine tastings every evening in the lobby.

Pleasant stay

We stayed a night in March 2002. The hotel was well located, adjacent to the International Spy Museum with the MCI Center and metro stop just diagonally across the street. Rooms were well appointed, spacious, very high ceilings and two beautiful full length windows (it's a restored old building). Bedlinen of excellent quality, and Aveda amenities, CD player, cordless phone etc. (No bath tub though, for those of you who want a soak.) But what I liked best were the corridors leading to the rooms, which were stunning and unforgettable -- you have to see it for yourself. Service at the front desk can't really be faulted but could have done with a bit more warmth and enthusiasm.

Absolutely wonderful!

I travel a lot, and my job allows me to stay in wonderful hotels wherever I go. By far the best stay I have had anywhere is at the Hotel Monaco. The room was unbelievably large and well-appointed. I particularly enjoyed the cashmere and silk throw across the foot of the bed and the high-quality name-brand bath products in the bathroom. (And speaking of the bathroom, it was the first properly lit hotel bathroom I've seen in D.C.)

The staff was friendly and considerate but not particularly knowledgeable about the area. Because the hotel is still so new, I'd guess that this will improve with time. I will most certainly stay at the Hotel Monaco whenever I visit D.C. in the future.