Ruby was pretty chill as we walked past the 19th century corinthian-style columns (uplit by chrome and alabaster torcheries) to the mahogany reception desk. The lobby, with low-slung sofas of navy mohair before a Neoclassical fireplace (apple green walls and translucent evergreen chandeliers), didn’t look quite the place for dear, little Ruby, but the concierge assured us that they were indeed, a dog friendly hotel…”and at no extra charge,” she said, between entertaining the four week old puppy dog of my friend, with baby talk and toys (which apparently were free for us to keep).
Given the unique history of the building and it’s assiduous attention to detail, we appreciated The Monaco’s love of our four legged friend. Portions of the 13th Congress of the United States of America were held on this same plot of land, after the Brits burned most of the city’s public building’s down in the war of 1812. Ironically, the original structure (actually, a post office and patent office) didn’t outlast an accidental fire in 1836 , but…fine for us, because Washington DC Monument designer Robert Mills rebuilt it (out of marble) a few years later, in the likeliness of Rome’s Temple of Jupiter. Nice!
In recent times, Beverly Hills interior designer Cheryl Rowley has imbued it with an comfortable, modern-day but still deferential whimsy. You’ll find the angular and graphic mid-20th century furnishings and designs by Corbusier, Mies van der Roh, Warren Platner and Diego and Alberto Giacometti next to Federal style curtains and cheeky wall paper covered in portraits of Rushmore-ian presidents. The rooms are big (certainly a boon for you and your pup) with original vaulted ceilings (15-feet or more), Neoclassical armoires, Federal desks but funky upholstered screens aft of sprawling beds covered in luxe Frette linen and damask accent pillows. Additional pluses to this decadent DC spot are Aveda in the bathrooms, an encompassing fitness center, access to a 24-hour bike share program and Nintendo (if that’s your thing).
But, also, the Monaco DC has got a great downtown location—the Northwest heart of Penn Quarter. Some cool places you’ll be able to walk to within the block include The International Spy Museum, The National Portrait Gallery, The National Museum of American Art, Fords Theater, Shakespeare Theater and the Verizon Center. A few blocks more and you’re at the Washington Convention Center and Union Station. So really, not a boring walk when you’re out with pooch.
Guest rooms start at $299, suites at $499. Book via web here.
