noplasticshowers

We’re back at a Kimpton, and you know how you can tell? Warm greetings by super friendly front desk staff on a cold day, an amenity that includes a cocktail and some charcuterie, and personal notes. All is well in Karma-land. (It does help to have Steph pulling strings and Thomas Fraher on the case.)

Amenity with a manhatten from the Riggsby

We were psyched to try the Carlyle, one of the newest additions to the Kimpton in DC family. DC is a big city and the Kimpton properties reflect that from the upscale George and Palomar, to the more modest Donovan and Carlyle with the quirky Helix somewhere in between. The Carlyle has the added benefit of being close to Dupont Circle.

We’re way spoiled, so you know which end of the food chain we like. But we also like trying new things! We especially like to try new things when we’re one smidgen from our inner circle status. The plan is for this visit to eek us over the finish line.

722

We’re in room 722 which is one of the King rooms with a hilarious little kitchenette. We won’t be boiling any hot dogs this trip, but you never know. DC has a fine restaurant scene these days.

Will we be cooking in DC? Hells no.

722 desk and glass door to the bathroom

Lil blue couch

Open the bathroom door

The diminutive bathroom has a glass shower, so that’s good

Anyway, this is a nice little pod for a quick business trip into the city. For a weekend away, I would move up the Kimpton foodchain to something more fancy pants.

Speaking of food, Fiola Mare on the Potomac less than two miles from the Carlyle is very good indeed. Italian seafood with excellent old school cuisine and a great atmosphere. Our table with a view was very nice indeed as was the Napolitano waiter. Salute!

Prego @FiolaMareDC. Salute! pic.twitter.com/F7GcCyOHIi

— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) November 24, 2015

We started and ended the evening at the Riggsby. Devilled eggs and jalapeño tots with a Vieux Carré were a perfect beginning. Returning after dinner we had some hot tea and a Fernet or two.

Tea and fernet with Kevin @theriggsby. Great time with @AmyBarley pic.twitter.com/MA8PS1KMlu

— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) November 24, 2015

All around, an excellent evening. Now if only that overzealous housekeeper did not try to clean the room at 9am!

We rate the Carlyle four out of five showerheads. Above average and well worth a visit.