Everything was top notch. Check in was quick, the staff was SO friendly. The room was very chic. Love the bed, the shower, and the view. The pool was just about to open up, but it looked like THE place to be on a hot day. I look forward to my next visit.

I love the decor of this new hotel, the staff was overwelmingly friendly. The desk staff left me alone when I wanted but was all over me when I approached them. They suggested a great couple of bars to hang out in close by and I was hoping to see the pool during my stay as it was opening after I left. I was able to go on the pool deck on my last day while the staff was setting it up. I will definitely have to go back once the bar is open up there. It is going to be a great place to hang out.

I stayed at Donovan House for 4 nights in May 2008, while on a business trip to Washington DC. I actually stayed for three nights, then another night after a short trip out of DC, so I got to see two different rooms - a superior and a deluxe.

I was surprised how expensive hotels in DC are - more expensive than Tokyo, New York and London, at least for the dates I was staying! So, although this hotel was expensive it wasn't out of line with the market prices in DC. I also got a good discount rate booking through Expedia. However, when I'm paying a fair whack for a hotel I have high expectations. Donovan House did not disappoint.

Both my rooms were fantastic - spacious, more than enough storage space, big bathrooms (although only the Deluxe has the walk in wrap-around shower), free tea and coffee making facilities, HD tv etc. The bed and pillows were comfy. SO comfy it was difficult dragging myself up in the morning! The decor is very modern - purple and white, all clean lines and minimalist chic. I like that style, so I was happy!

The hotel offers its guests free wifi if you have your own laptop with you, and also has a business centre where you can get online if you didn't bring your laptop. The hotel is conveniently located, about a 15 minute walk from the White House and other main sites, and just 2-3 blocks from the nearest Metro Station. But the best thing about this hotel is the staff. Without any exceptions I found them polite and helpful - several of them also made a point of remembering my name giving the service that extra personal touch.

The only negatives that I would point out are that the water pressure in my superior (cheaper) room was not great, and the shower head was moulded into the ceiling so you couldn't really change the direction or proximity of the water flow. Also, on my night in the Deluxe room I had no hot water but the hotel did offer to send an engineer up immediately. Also, the complementary breakfast which is served in the lobby is in keeping with the hotel's minimalist theme - it is just fresh muffins and pastries and help-yourself coffee. That's ok for a day or two, but it gets a little repetitive, and I don't fee great eating cake first thing in the morning. If you are thinking of staying here you should be aware that the restaurant is not yet open, nor is there a bar in the hotel. They can offer room service, which, as in every hotel is ridiculously over-priced, and the $4 service charge is a bit cheeky when the restaurant isn't even open yet! But there are plenty of bars and restaurants within easy walking distance, so you won't struggle to find somewhere nice to eat - my tip is for the bar menu at DC Coast, just 2 minutes from the hotel. An enormous shrimp quesadilla for about $9!

This hotel is in its early days and needs to iron out a few problems. In particular, I think they should reconsider the breakfast concept, or at least have more coffee machines on the go, as the queue can be long and slow. But I would definitely stay here again for business or pleasure - I think this hotel is equally well-suited to either.

Got a special rate through Expedia at the Donovan House. The room I was given was tiny, so ended up getting a "junior suite" for $50 more per night, but it was a good size room. The bathroom had a shower and a tub but the sink was so big that there was no where to place toiletry items. One thing that was a major inconvenience was the fact that there were no ice machines on the individual floors and the ice buckets were tiny, so when they did deliver ice to the room, it was melted within a short time. Also, you could not get to any of the floors without using a guest key., making it a major inconvenience for guests...and the pool/bar area nor restaurant was not open. The service was ok, the staff was very friendly, the location was great, but overall wouldn't recommend the hotel for the price.