Kimpton Carlyle Dupont Circle: Perfect Washington DC Location

Quiet location

Located just under a ten-minute walk from Dupont Circle, guests will love the Carlyle’s quiet location. Upon arrival, let the valet (48 USD per night) park your car while the bellman escorts you to the lobby. Notice the elegant marble flooring, rotating decorative artwork, and the lounge to the left where coffee and wine hours for hotel guests are held. With 198 recently remodeled guest rooms, don’t be bashful to politely ask for an upgrade. The eighth floor affords lovely views and a quieter location. You might be offered a suite at no extra price if you are lucky, especially if you are an IHG Rewards member.

Rates vary depending on the season and occupancy. A deluxe king room was listed for 159 USD for a Saturday night stay on September 1, 2019, but was 310 USD if visiting during the fall leaf watchers season on October 19. Sometimes you can get a bargain if you are flexible. I recently scored a room for just 110 USD, excluding destination fees and taxes. August and December are excellent months to find such bargains.

Rooms and suites

If you are looking for a room with a kitchenette, the Kimpton Carlyle has 58 such options. Like all the rooms, the kitchenettes have a fridge and a microwave for your needs. Larger suites have dining areas for comfortable in-room dining. A nearby Whole Foods store provides most of the grocery needs for meal preparation and offers free 2-hour delivery to Amazon Prime members.

In-room amenities include mini-bar, Keurig coffee makers, robes, yoga mats, laptop safe, iPod dock, closet, eco-friendly toiletries, cable channels, flat-screen TV, vanity section in the bathroom with makeup mirrors and bench seat.

All rooms, suites, and common areas bear the artful touches of world-renowned artist Michele Oka Doner. The remodeling process sought to bring back the Art Deco look, and succeeded in creating a 1930s look and feel. This is especially evident in The Riggsby, the on-site restaurant from star chef Michel Schlow. Be sure and take a break in the bar where music from the 1930s-40s sets the mood. Order a highball or a brandy and relax for a while. Check out the leg-lamp in the corner of the bar as seen in the classic movie A Christmas Story.

Very pet-friendly

The Kimpton Carlyle Dupont Circle is, like other Kimpton hotels, very pet-friendly. What makes this Kimpton more appealing to dog owners is the proximity to a dog park just a block away. The S Street Park is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week. If you don’t want to let your dog romp in the S Street dog park, Dupont Circle is a peaceful place to walk Fido on the grass.

In the hotel, pet-friendly stays feature a plush dog bed, bowls, and treats for your furry friend. And best of all, Kimpton hotels don’t charge extra for pets or limit the size. If your pet can fit through the door, they are welcome.

Other amenities in the hotel include nightly wine hour 5-6 p.m. and complimentary coffee and tea for hotel guests, both functions are in the lobby lounge area. The Kimpton Carlyle also has meeting facilities with 3,000 sq ft/278.71 sq m, 24-hour fitness facility, full food and beverage service for in-room dining, Forgot it? We’ve got it! toiletries, personal items, and other items you might need. If there’s anything else you want note that a CVS pharmacy and Safeway grocery store are a short walk from the hotel.

So many quality dining choices

It’s not often a hotel has a James Beard award-winning chef-designed restaurant. The Kimpton Carlyle Dupont Circle features The Riggsby for the discerning diner. The Riggsby bar and lounge will hold up to 45, and the dining room holds up to 75 guests. The Riggsby is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Dinner entrées like whole branzino, The Riggsby original roast chicken, New York strip au poivre, and Australian lamb chops will pair well with the distinctive wine list. A private dining room with space for up to 10 diners is available by reservation.

Dining in the Dupont Circle area has it all. From celebrity chef José Andrés’ entry to healthy fast food at Beefsteak, to upscale Komi (a Mediterranean restaurant), and many more choices that will spoil you. Hundreds of world-class restaurants are within a short Uber or taxi ride from the hotel. One restaurant I highly recommend for fine dining is Plume, located in the Jefferson Hotel. This one-star Michelin rated restaurant will treat you like royalty.