Hotel Helix - a Kimpton Hotel

Great Vibe

This was a last minute stay and it was a good pick. Friendly staff, fun room, easy to get to.

SO-SO!

This Hotel is not like any other Kimpton Hotel that I have stayed at. A better name for it would the Pimpton Hotel. It was what I would call gehetto fabulous. It was not as classy as the other Kimpton Hotels I have stayed at. It was very kitchy; trendy, and felt so " Hotel Makeover" (with a small budget). We had two rooms, both with two queen beds. One room had a walk in closet and a very spacious bathroom, the other had no closet with an extremley small europeon bathroom. The service was nice. The room service menu was ridiculously inflated with charges and was worst than a bar menu. They served mac and cheese for over 34 dollars. Two regular highball well drinks from the bar was 32 dollars. We felt the price did not match the quality of food or beverage. The surronding neighborhood had a lot of beggers, and odd characters at night.

Crazy Hippie Hotel, Good Location

It’s a great hotel, good service, nice amenities, great location... it’s just also got the ugliest and loudest decor I’ve ever seen. Neon clashing colors, cheap pictures of people in 80’s clothes on the wall, overall pretty weird.

Great Value

We picked this hotel due to its price and location and were not disapointed. Its close to a whole foods and lots of local spots to eat and drink. We enjoyed the decor, it felt like a austin powers movie. We have stayed at other higher priced hotels and found this one to be a great value. We would go back and stay. The staff was very attentive and helpful.

Too expensive

The hotel was far from all the attractions yet it was very expensive for the money charged. The parking is a huge problem. The parking attendents were very argumentative and not helpful at all. Don’t be fooled by the descriptions!

Nice place, bed’s a little hard

Very cool and different style hotel. The best feature is the valet service...you can come and go as often as you like for a daily rate on the parking. Location is not that bad. The only thing is, the bed is a mattress on a wooden platform. It was not very comfortable. Other than that, the room was ok, and service was pretty good. I would stay there again. Oh, and I brought my two pets...they are one of the only hotels that allow pets.

Traveler's tip on dining

There are lots of places to eat. If you like seafood, the Oceanaire was a nice place to eat.

Nice youth oriented hotel

Nice, somewhat funky youth oriented hotel.

Fussy Traveler

I booked this room for a fussy traveler who tends to stay in nicer hotels. I was worried that he would be disappointed with it, because the price was half the price of the other hotels in the area. But it wasn’t shabby at all - in fact, he told me it was great. At first he thought it was too far away, but had no complaints on return. He loved the free champagne.

Funky Vibe

The decore of the hotel and the rooms were very modern, colourful and had a funky vibe. We were initially checked into a room right next door to a room with a dog that was constantly barking. This is a pet friendly hotel. We asked to be moved to a different room and our room was upgraded to a suite that had a completely separate family room with a sectional and a flatscreen TV, a huge bedroom with a king size room with another flatscreen tv, and a bathroom with doors from the bedroom and the family room. Breakfast buffet had a very poor selection and staff do not wait on you. We had to hunt down the bartender to pay for our breakfast. Parking - Only valet parking available which is extremely pricey.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

Try to avoid taking cabs in Washington. The starting fee is $3.00 and they charge you an extra $1.50 per person for each trip. Also any Virginia cabs that are in Washington cannot pick you up. This makes it difficult to flag down a cab as most of them just drive right by you.

Kimpton countiues to WOW

This is the second Kimpton Hotel that I have stayed in and in both cases have found both the atmoshpere and service to be impecable.

Traveler's tip on dining

While not immediately visable from the hotel, there are quite a few local favorites a block away. Be sure to ask the folks working at the hotel for reccomendations based on the type of cuisine you are in the mood for, I did this each night and all of the reccomendations had quality food, flavor and service.

Edgy hotel, still rough around the edges

Retro design hotel (lots of flashing LEDs and curtains and industrial materials). Largish room. Young energetic staff. A bit noisy if your room overlooks the patio and bar. VERY poor cell reception. And, the hotel is a good 15-20 minute hike from Dupont Circle, though the immediate neighborhood filled with bars, restaurants and a Whole Foods. Fun, but might not return.

Hotel Helix - cosy and stylish

The hotel is a great starting point for a tourist trip. It is few blocks away from The White House and The National Mall. The area seems to be quite safe no matter what time you are walking around. Cons: the bathroom is tiny. Pros: free internet!

Good value in DC

My room was quiet except early morning with trucks delivering goods in rear of hotel. Loved the champagne cocktail hour. Close to Starbucks, and Whole Foods....6 block walk to Metro.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

Restaurant close by as well as Whole Foods.

Afun experience!

I noticed one patron ask several times for a small fridge. We requested a coffee maker several times but never receive one. But the staff was always pleasent and helpful.

Groovy Decor

This was our first trip to DC and we thought the hotel was well located for all the things we wanted to see and do. Just a few blocks to the nearest Metro station and cabs were readily available. The decor of the hotel and the room was really fun and groovy. I would definitely stay in a Kimpton Hotel again. However, our room over looked the alley, (not pretty) and the compressor was very loud throughout the night.

Great stay at great price!

Stayed at the hotel for one night. Room was very nicely setup with a nice king sized bed. Helix bar is a nice and trendy place to hang out for a few cocktails in the evening! Hotel is around the corner from several bars and nightclubs. Over night parking is bit pricey but a great stay overall!

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

Try to find parking on the street which is free during the weekends.

Excellent hotel

We stayed at the Hotel Helix for a week, and our stay was wonderful. The hotel staff were friendly, our room was luxurious, and the atmosphere is second to none. I would recommend this hotel very highly.

Traveler's tip on dining

If you like authentic Ethiopian food (or if you’re adventurous enough to try it), Lalibela Restaurant is less than a block from the hotel (near the corner of Rhode Island & 14th). Not only is the food delicious, but prices are reasonable, portions are generous, and the staff are very friendly.

Fun Experience/ Great Location

Hotel was very clean and highly recommended. The overall theme was fun making for an exciting location. Good location but make sure to check a map in order to get your barrings. Metro station about a half a mile away.

Funky and fun, but somewhat cramped

The hotel staff was very courteous. The beds were comfy and the room decor was "funky", but the room was somewhat cramped for a family of 4 and the layout slightly awkward. Also, there was a mini-bar, but no room in the fridge if you want to store your own perishables. The bar/restaurant was also very hip, but offered only a continental breakfast.

Traveler's tip on shopping

The hotel is just around the corner from a great Whole Foods market...we stocked up there on water for our walk around D.C. and great fresh fruit and snacks to take with us.

Really liked this Hotel

This was a very nice hotel it was not like a lot of other hotels in DC that they have been updated or remolded to only find they painted. This was an old building with a modern feel and a retro style. It was clean and the bar was nice. The food was kind of pricey for very small portions. Overall very satisfied

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Depending if you are a walker or not it is either a long walk or cab ride from any attraction

Hotel Helix still hip

I had stayed at the Hotel Helix regularly in 2004 - 2005, and was pleased to see that it was still in good condition, with its 60s flair intact. The spacious rooms are always a pleasant getaway.

Yeah, Baby!

Funky, little hotel. Very retro. Friendly and helpful staff. Very comfortable beds and rooms. Felt like I was in an old episode of "Laugh In" or that I might see Austin Powers roaming the lounge. Not your typical hotel. Very unique and although they were really busy, their service was quite good.

trendy and fun

Unique place to stay. Not many restaurants nearby.

Double Pleasure at the Helix

The Hotel was hopping with many guests but the service was top notch, and the room was quiet. The bed is amazing, I had a great night sleep. I had stayed at a big chain the night before in a sleep number bed which was uncomfortable and the Kimpton bed was exemplary. I loved being greated with a glass a champagne upon our arrival. It was also so close to everything.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Cute neighborhood, so close to Dupont Circle, and the Smithsonian’s, we walked every where.

Exceptional staff

The staff was exceptional kind and accomodating--truly authentic. Would definetely stay there again! Great location too surronded by interesting restaurants and a fantastic Whole Foods.