I traveled to Washington DC for the BoardingArea travel blogger conference. Rather than stay at the host hotel, the Marriott Marquis, I wanted to try a couple of the 10 Kimpton properties that are located in DC. I booked my stay during Kimpton’s recent Double Stay Credit Annual Sale and paid $149 + tax for a basic King room. When I arrived, however, I was delighted to find out that I had an amazing upgrade waiting for me. In a word, the Kimpton Donovan Hotel Presidential Suite is massive!!!
In This Post
So many Kimpton options in Washington, DC
When BoardingArea announced that they were holding the BACON (aka BoardingArea CONference) blogger conference in Washington, DC, I was extremely excited because I knew that Kimpton had so many properties to choose from in that area. With the recent opening of the Mason & Rook and Glover Park Hotel, there are now 10 options to choose from within the Kimpton family in the DC area!
Because BACON was being held at the Marriott Marquis, I wanted to find a Kimpton property that was within a short walk. I also arranged the hotel options based on price and eliminated the ones that were on the higher end of the scale. I settled on the first night at the Kimpton Rouge and the second at the Kimpton Donovan.
Booking my room at Kimpton Donovan Hotel
After researching all of the Kimpton properties in DC on TripAdvisor, I originally booked my room at the Kimpton Donovan Hotel when I first found out the dates of BACON. I almost always book cancelable reservations because you never know when a better deal will become available.
Sure enough, a couple weeks before my trip, the Kimpton Semi-Annual Double Stay Credit sale happened. I was able to re-book my reservation to save $16 AND, most importantly, I would earn Double Stay Credits towards earning free nights and renewing my Inner Circle status.
Saving extra money is nice. However, saving the need to book another hotel reservation to earn enough credits towards Inner Circle status is the most valuable part of the sale.
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Kimpton Donovan Hotel Presidential Suite $1,100 Upgrade
When we checked into the Kimpton Donovan Hotel, we were told that we’d be happy with the upgrade, it was a complete understatement. I just knew something special was waiting for me inside when I saw those double doors!
When you walk through the double doors, ahead of you is a sitting area facing a huge big-screen TV. There are floor-to-ceiling windows that face Thomas Circle. Behind the couch is a large dining room table that can be used for meals or holding a meeting. And close by is a kitchen with a full-size fridge, sink, and several cabinets.
By the front entrance of the room, there was a 1/2 bath so guests won’t go into your bedroom area. Smart thinking about privacy when a room is this large.
The bedroom was also quite large. The windows are also floor-to-ceiling in the bedroom area providing an excellent view of DC when you wake up. There is a good-sized desk for working and across the room is a comfy couch for lounging. The bathroom has a separate tub and a walk-in shower that is in the rounded white area in the middle of the picture below.
Here is my video walk-through of the Kimpton Donovan Hotel Presidential Suite. I hope you like it.
Kimpton Inner Circle Welcome Amenity
On the dining table, my Inner Circle Welcome Amenity was waiting for us. As I requested, there were a couple of bottles of water and some Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Usually, the hotel staff will provide their choice of a local beer, but this time there were a couple of drink coupons to enjoy at the bar downstairs inside the handwritten card. And instead of my normal white chocolate covered pretzels, there was a plate of fresh fruit to nibble on.
Kimpton Donovan Hotel Presidential Suite Description
Here’s the description of the Kimpton Donovan Hotel Presidential Suite from the Kimpton website:
- This suite is worthy of possessing the very name of our hotel.
- Immerse yourself in the pinnacle of sophistication and style, in this opulent 1,230 sq ft Donovan Suite Stunning dining table which seats eight people
- Convenient kitchen area
- Beautiful living area with floor to ceiling windows providing stunning city views, hardwood floors and powder room
- King Size Platform Bed with artistic wrap-around leather headboard
- Custom-made 400 thread count Frette linens
- Oversized desk with ergonomic desk chair 2
- State-of-the-art 55″ flat screen TV, iHome Docking Station, high speed Wi-Fi, and fully stocked honor bar featuring gourmet snacks
- One and a half marble bathrooms with unique cocoon spiral walk-in shower
- Separate deep soaking tub
- Soft, Terry Cloth White Robes, bathroom amenities by Gilchrist & Soames
- Room is also equipped with a laptop size in-room safe for stowing valuables
- Free Wi-Fi for Kimpton Karma Rewards Members
- Hosted Evening Wine Reception
If we would have paid cash for the Kimpton Donovan Hotel Presidential Suite, it would have cost well over $1100 a night!
Wine Hour at Kimpton Donovan Hotel
True to the customs of Kimpton, the 5pm Wine Hour was enjoyable. Having a glass of wine with your fellow guests is a great way to relax after a long day of sightseeing (or in our case, being inside a conference room).
Zentan Restaurant at Kimpton Donovan Hotel
Attached the Kimpton Donovan Hotel is Zentan. We didn’t go inside because we ate with the BoardingArea crew while in DC, but the Zentan website describes the cuisine as shareable plates of “izakaya-style comfort food from Chef Yo Matsuzaki.”
DNV Rooftop Lounge
I really enjoy rooftop lounges for the fresh air, scenery, and cool vibes, but because we were visiting in November, the rooftop was closed. DNV is definitely a place to revisit during the Spring or Summer!
Kimpton Donovan Hotel Gym
I often run out of time and don’t hit the gym as much as I would like to while traveling, but I always check out the gym anyway. The Kimpton Donovan Hotel gym wasn’t that big, but they squeezed a number of machines into the small space. Mirrored walls helped to make it appear larger than it is. At least there are some free weights to be creative and mix up your workout.
The Bald Thoughts
With an upgrade like the one I received into the Kimpton Donovan Hotel Presidential Suite, it is hard not to feel incredibly spoiled. Rooms like this make me wish that I stayed more than a couple of nights at any one location when I travel. The staff at the Kimpton Donovan Hotel really hooked me up with this amazing room. I am definitely looking forward to returning to the Donovan to continue getting spoiled.
Have you ever experienced a room upgrade like this before? Which has been your favorite upgrade?
