D.C. Dreaming

As you may recall, a couple of weeks ago I headed to Washington, D.C. in advance of my time in Raleigh for Creative at Heart Conference. I was in D.C. to meet up with Reina Pomeroy, the amazing co-author of my upcoming book Big Plan for the Creative Mind, but while I was in D.C., I got to do a few extra things! 

A week or so before heading to D.C., I checked in with my friends at Kimpton Hotels to see if they wanted to hang out! The Kimpton Topaz Hotel said heck yes, and so my adventure in D.C. began. After a 10-hour drive from Chicago to D.C. and a quick little adventure down Embassy Row, I pulled up at the Topaz Hotel ready to relax for a weekend. 

A very warm welcome from the team at the Kimpton Hotel Topaz. Thank you!

You guys know I've stayed at Kimpton properties across the country, but I'm going to let you in on a secret - this one is my favorite. I'm obsessed with hotels that let you see the history of the building they're located in. Since you know I googled the details on this property before checking in, let me run you through some stats: 

The Kimpton Topaz Hotel is located around the corner from St. Matthew's Cathedral and the Philippine embassy. The hotel is one of 10 Kimpton properties in the Washington Metropolitan Area. The property was formerly the Canterbury Hotel, and was purchased in March 2001, becoming the first Kimpton-managed property on the East Coast and opened in October 2001. Known for its New Age and body wellness themes, Kimpton Topaz Hotel was named one of the 11 healthiest hotels in the United States by Health magazine. In 2006, Kimpton Topaz Hotel was named one of the trendiest hotels in Washington, D.C. 

The coziest bed area ever (and you know I loved reading in that white chair!)

Seven guest rooms at Kimpton Topaz Hotel include a treadmill, stair climber, elliptical machine, exercise bike or yoga nook, and all rooms feature a 24-hour yoga television channel. I was lucky enough to snag a room with an elliptical machine (which I used all three days of my stay). If you want to stay in the room I was in, head on over here and check out the Energy Room. 

Kimpton's robes win me over every time.

What makes me a loyal Kimpton guest is all the little extras they throw in - if you're a Kimpton Karma member (free to join), you get a $10 "Raid the Bar" card (credit towards a drink at the bar or something from your in-room minibar). There's a local wine hour every night and all Kimpton properties have bikes you can borrow. Plus, they have the most extensive toiletries program I have ever come across in all my travels - it's called "Forgot it? We've got it."

Scroll through the rest of the photos below!