O Museum in The Mansion — Hotel in Washington

This is a place my wife and I thought we wanted to go for years and literally one of the first things she said to me when we left was "well, that wasn't nearly as good as I thought it would be" and boy was she right.

We fell for the hype of "find the secret doors" and thought the "museum" part seemed interesting as well... instead when we left it really just felt like a scam.

On their site they say "if you find 2 or 3 you are an above average sleuth" yeah, no. "No hidden doors behind the art" yet there's quite a few where the "door" is just a framed poster. Quite a few of the hidden doors aren't particularly hidden. Quite a few of the hidden doors have very visible giant hinges. More than a few of the doors have such immense wear on the floor or around them that they become incredibly obvious. Some of the "doors" are lids or just... parts that come off (not to give away anything but one of the bits in their promo video was sorely disappointing when we found it)

Lastly, but I can't overstress this part enough, the "museum" portion feels like PILES OF JUNK. It's like a hoarders house. There are secret doors that cant be opened because of all the stuff in front of them. There's every last garbage book you'll find in a standard thrift shop, old sad pop culture tchotchkes everywhere... its pathetic. The place actually does have some interesting and worthwhile stuff in it, but you have to be able to see it past all the crud. The place needs someone with a discerning eye to just come through and clear out more than half the junk in there. Donate it to a thrift that does a shared funds for nonprofit and get it out.

The fact that they have the gall to run the space as a hotel as well is laughable at best. Mid 80's modern gaudy fixtures and furnishing throughout, which still sounds more charming than it actually is. Some rooms are so cramped I literally cannot imagine being able to have any luggage in there.

Oh, and the kitchen stunk to high heaven. It's a basement kitchen with probably not enough ventilation in an old building but we had to hurry past because wow, it was overwhelming.

It's truly a shame, the premise is GREAT, the history of the place and all the people that have called it home is so good, SOME of the objects there are amazing (including a somewhat cringe letter supposedly write by John Lennon)

The place needs to close for a solid couple of months, clear out some garbage, get some more interesting doors and mechanisms installed, fixtures updated, better signage... it could be one of the best places but right now, solid no. Would...

The Mansion on O Street is truly a hidden gem, a place where art, history, whimsy, and wonder all collide under one incredibly unique roof. From the moment you walk in, it feels like you’ve entered another world. You pay one flat rate, and then you’re free to explore at your own pace for as long as you like. Whether you’re into taking photos, hunting for hidden gems, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, there’s no shortage of things to see and experience.

What makes it extra special is the feeling of stepping back in time. I like to describe it as a time capsule—every room tells a story and seems to hold treasures from different generations and decades. You’ll find pieces from every era: vintage typewriters, retro gadgets, eclectic furniture, and so much more. It’s like walking through a living museum that never takes itself too seriously.

There’s an incredible amount of one-of-a-kind art and jaw-dropping sculptures tucked into every corner. And the fun doesn’t stop there—many of the rooms (not all, but quite a few!) have secret doors that make exploring feel like a real-life treasure hunt. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a bookshelf might open up to reveal a hidden passage or a whole new themed room.

What I also love is that the Mansion feels warm and homey, not cold or overly curated. It invites curiosity. It’s fun, it’s funky, and it’s full of surprises. Depending on the time of year, the rooms may be rearranged or redecorated, which means no two visits are ever exactly the same. Plus, almost everything inside is actually for sale—so if you fall in love with a piece of furniture or a quirky trinket, it just might be yours (though definitely check with the staff first).

All in all, this place is marvelous. Whether you’re a local or just visiting DC, the Mansion on O Street is 100% worth experiencing. You won’t regret it—and honestly, you’ll probably want to come back...

This place was weird. Reading the description online made it sound fun and spy-like, but it was more like wandering around your weird great-aunt's house. It was particularly uncomfortable because it's also a hotel, so sometimes it's unclear which rooms you're allowed to enter. The general rule is don't go into a room with a closed door if it has a handle and a "do not disturb sign on it" the problem is, some of the rooms have a permanent "do not disturb" sign installed, but those rooms also sometimes have hanging "do not disturb" signs and the doors are open. There's no real indication if you're allowed to enter these rooms or not, and since the tour is self-guided, it's kind of a guessing game. I started to feel really uncomfortable because I wasn't sure where I was actually allowed to go and where I wasn't.

The secret doors were fine, but when they say there are 100+ secret doors, that doesn't actually mean 100+ doors you can walk through. Some of the doors are just little doors on random tchotchkes scattered around.

While the rooms have loose "themes," yould likely have to work to figure out what that theme is, which a few exceptions, like the John Lennon suite. Most of the items are donated, and nearly everything is for sale. This combination makes it feel like you're walking through the most disorganized and most expensive rummage sale you've ever experienced.

This was a trip my husband planned for a date night, and he felt awful because I was severely overstimulated by the experience and underwhelmed by the content. He did a great job, though, because he knows I love weird stuff like this; the venue itself was just not really the right vibe for us. We toured maybe a floor and a half in total before I was too-overstimulated to keep going.

I don't think it's worth the money, personally, but it was certainly a...