Just Back From...Capella Washington DC, Georgetown

Last weekend, when we were down in DC visiting our daughter, we had the pleasure of staying at the incredibly stunning hotel - Capella Washington DC, Georgetown.

For those of you not familiar with  Capella Hotels - the company was started by the former CEO of Ritz Carlton, Horst Schultze, who took the best aspects of the Ritz Carlton experience and added his years of insight into the luxury hotel business to create a brand which seems to truly understand the needs and desires of the discriminating traveler. Capella hotels are more intimate and cater to the individual traveler, rather than the large groups and conventions which are becoming more and more common at luxury hotel chains. Their Washington property is the only US property right now, but the brand is growing quickly. After my first Capella experience, I can completely understand why. Other locations include Cabo, Ixtapa and Singapore, with Riviera Maya and St. Lucia coming soon. This is definitely a hotel brand worth getting to know! 

via

From the moment you walk in the door at the Capella, you immediately sense that the hotel was created for the simple (yet often difficult to execute in reality) purpose of providing a flawless guest experience. The hotel, which opened in 2013, was built at an expense of nearly $50 million for only 49 rooms and suites...that is a pretty impressive ratio and it is obvious at every turn that no expense was spared.

I took the above photos with my iPhone of our actual room.

After being checked in by a "personal assistant" (a combination of the front desk and concierge who is present 24/7 to meet any of the guests' needs), we were escorted to our lovely "Georgetown" Room - an impressive 500 square foot corner room with large windows looking out onto the historic C&O Canal and 31st Street in Georgetown. Once again, the high level of attention to detail in the room was remarkable - from outlets for our various portable devices in the drawers of the nightstands, to the Aqua di Parma bath products and zippered pouch filled with every possible necessity in the bathroom, to complimentary coffee, tea, water and soft drinks...even the desk was stocked with pencil, eraser, ruler and stapler! These may be small things, but in the competitive world of luxury hotels, little things stand out and make a big difference - it is these extra thoughtful touches that make guests loyal patrons. On top of all this, the bed was definitely one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in...pure heaven.

This was our bathroom...this picture is from the hotel web site as my photos of the bathroom did not turn out very well.

All of the rooms are beautifully designed with dark hardwood floors and contemporary, yet opulent, interiors. The marble bathrooms all have rain showers, and room categories beyond the lead in level have limestone soaking tubs.

via

My two favorite spots in the hotel, beyond our gorgeous room, are The Living Room and the Rooftop Bar. The Living Room, pictured above, is a private space for hotel guests (and their guests) to gather to have a drink and relax in a spectacular setting around an over-sized fireplace surrounded by a wall of onyx, and high gloss wood paneling. From a design perspective, this room is truly fabulous. 

via

The Rooftop Bar - also exclusive to hotel guests - has breathtaking views of the rooftops of Georgetown, the Potomac River, the Kennedy Center, and the Washington Monument with comfortable outdoor seating - the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail before dinner.

I took this with my iPhone...I love how dramatic the drop edge pool looks!

Also on the rooftop, hotel guests can also enjoy the views from the very cool indoor-outdoor rooftop infinity pool with built-in fireplace. The pool is heated and open year round - it is incredibly unique and has to be seen to be believed!
 

via

Perhaps my favorite thing about the Capella is the location - it is in the heart of Georgetown, just one block from M Street and Wisconsin Avenue - the  central intersection of Georgetown. I loved being walking distance to all of the shopping and restaurants in Georgetown. It was a pleasure to valet our car upon arrival and not need to use it again until we left.  The rest of the sights of DC are an easy taxi ride away (we discovered the virtues of Uber, but that is another post altogether!). This is the perfect place to stay whether sightseeing downtown, visiting nearby Georgetown University or just strolling the cobblestone streets of historic Georgetown and dreaming of moving into one of the federal style row houses (like we did!).
 
If you are planning a trip to DC and would like more information about Cappella Washington DC, Georgetown, please feel free to contact me - I will make sure you are treated like a VIP with Virtuoso amenities including daily breakfast, $100 food and beverage credit, and an upgrade, if available.