I was a little unsure of our stay at the Donovan before we arrived. I have 2 children age 3 1/2 and 8 and I was not sure that they would enjoy it. I was quite suprised.

The eggplant color on the walls in the hallways was nice and got us in the mood for the room. WOW! We like more modern (Ikea like) furniture. This was that only more expensive. We loved the platform bed with the white linens. Chairs were comfortable. Kids loved the lighting that you could step on the on/off switch. The do not have Disney which was not good for my kids but did have 2 kids channels on the awesome TV.

The shower is very cool. The wall of the shower goes into the room and my kids loved that we could touch each other thru the wall while I was taking a shower.

The only bad thing is the shower floor is SLICK! My son fell going in the shower after my daughter got out. The floor spirals and is a very slick plastic with no grip to keep your from falling. Also the bathroom light when turned on illuminates the shower and will wake up everyone in the bedroom area (also only found this out because we had kids).

Loved the seat in the bathroom. The way they bing you ice and chocolates when they turn down your bed. We stepped out for breakfast for less than a hour and our room was cleaned and we had fresh bed sheets. This was by far the cleanest hotel I have ever been in. Not only because it was new but they always had someone cleaning to give it that fresh feeling.

The staff was amazing. They always had a smile on and were willing to help. We had someone drop off bags to our room and then leave. They were very accommodating. In NYC they would have told you to take them with you expecially since we were not there.

I can not say how the breakfast was as we did not eat there. But the service was very good. They were even very good with kids which suprised me as it is a more modern hotel. Within walking distance to almost every government attraction you could think of. Close to shopping, parking, eating and CVS is across the street in case you forget something like we did. Free WiFi and Starbucks 1 block away.

I would go back again. The hotel was awesome and very different from everything else we saw in DC. I loved the contrast of the old/historical of the surrounding city and the newness/modern of the Donovan. Give it a try. Just be careful in the shower!

This is a hotel for those, like me, who prefer a contemporary, sleek decor. Those with tastes for cozy decor or historical reproductions would probably not like the Donovan House.

The look of the hotel and the design of the room is minimalist and contemporary, but stylish. There is a wonderful leather armchair, a good firm bed, interesting lighting, a desk, a flatscreen TV, minibar, and a fairly large bathroom. My room was 708, a king superior room, I believe. It was plenty large for one or two people, with ample closet space. Wireless internet access worked and was free. I found no problem with the service at the hotel.

A couple of complaints about the design:

There is little counterspace in the bathroom, but a huge sink about 24 inches x 18 inches. I did not understand the point of the large sink at the sacrifice of counterspace. However, there was a long leather bench in the bathroom that could be used as a surface.

It was not possible to get the room really dark at night, as the drapes don't really do the job.

Free breakfast is coffee or tea and bakery. I was not expecting more. Location was fine for me, although you have to walk a few blocks to get to the Metro. There is a convenient 24 hour drug store across the street.

There is no bar, but apparently there are plans for a restaurant to open soon.

The hotel is located 10 minutes walk from the main tourist sights and 5 minutes from good restaurants. When we checked in we could still smell the newness of recently refurbished lobby, the staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful right through our 3 night stay. Disappointingly our room was at the back of the hotel over looking what appeared to be a residential home. If you get the chance stay in one of the front of the hotel rooms.
Our room was extremely 'trendy' we absolutely loved the walk in shower, although the water pressure could have been better. Everything in the room was top end, bed linens, towels, robes and toiletries. The room was 'compact' but perfect in every way, big bed, big plasma TV, top quality finish on storage cupboards etc. The complementary breakfast got you going in the morning which served pastries, muffins, fruit and coffee.
The one small criticism I have is that the pool and roof bar were not completed so we couldn’t use them, these are due to be completed and opened in May.
I would highly recommend the hotel to anyone visiting DC. If I could have given a rating of 6 stars this hotel would get it!!

If you like contemporary and minimalist but very accommodating, this is for you. As a business traveler, I was very satisfied. Here are the plus points:
1. great bed, linens and robe
2. very quiet AC
3. Liehl's products
4. FREE wireless internet
5. coffee, quality teas and REAL creamers in the rm. (none of that powdered crap)
6. the sink and the shower is pretty cool
7. digital TV

The decor is black and white with a touch of aubergine. And, I found the service to be welcoming and quick. I totally recommend this hotel!