Scott W.
Yelp
Gather around, fellow Yelpers, while your favorite Yelp Correspondent regales you with the tale of his new favorite Washington DC hotel!
Disclosure: This is my eighth trip to our nation's capital, on prior trips I enjoyed stays at more opulent hotels incl the Ritz Carlton, the Conrad and the historic Hay-Adams Hotel, but my just culminated trip to the small, aesthetically pleasing Hotel Nell has me vaulting it to the very pinnacle of WDC area hotels.
My gorgeous bride of 28yrs and I stayed here for 3.5 days this week during our visit to our son, who is an ordained minister at George Washington University.
Critics may arch their snotty noses and decry that the rooms are a little on the smallish side...but how much square footage do you need for a restful night's sleep?
Naysayers might lament 'But where is the en-suite microwave?!' when, in fact, the front desk avails you 24/7 use of the microwave in Bolgiano's Pantry, located just adjacent to the lobby.
For value-for-2025-dollar, the Hotel Nell packs a heckuva punch! Throw in the exquisite, oft-inventive design touches evident in every thoughtfully designed inch of each room, hallway and common space...and it's a beautiful way to unwind and relax amid busy days and evenings in our country's capital.
Pro Tips:
-Bolgiano's Pantry, downstairs, offers delicious chef-inspired breakfasts from 7-10am daily.
-The Pantry is also the site of midweek cooking classes. What a better way to spend date night...or to intuit if that girl you're smitten with is more Julia Child or Julia Mild?!
-Venture upstairs to the Treehouse Rooftop for leafy, green Tulum inspired views, enjoy the free house margarita they'll gift all hotel guests...and stay for the Mexican cuisine, from 5-9pm every evening.
-Craving world class Mexican. Walk two blocks NE of the hotel and find "Mezcalero at La Cosecha."
-Rather a thick, rib-sticking Rib Eye? Try St. Anselm, in the same bustling Union Market neighborhood.
-Dessert, anyone? Geek out at Van Leeuwen.
Special kudos to the staff, incl Nelly, who so graciously granted this weary duo an early check-in when we arrived following a twelve-hour redeye itinerary from Los Angeles.
I'll close by paraphrasing my son, who cracked at my lofty review, "Suffice to say, Daddy, you think that the Hotel Nell is swell."
Yep.