Woodley Park Guest House — Hotel in Washington

When choosing where to stay on vacation, I always prefer the personal service and hospitality a Bed and Breakfast offers. While clean, convenient and inclusive of breakfast, this guest house just misses the mark.||In all fairness, there are some very good points here. The rooms are lovely and very clean and the beds are comfortable. While the accommodations are top notch, I felt that the guest house itself and the owners lacked warmth, charm and that “extra touch” I was looking for. The location is convenient with access to the Metro across the street. The owner, Laura, is very familiar with the area, but the other women who work there are not. You cannot get help with directions or recommendations if she is not there and after 4:00 pm, the staff leaves.||Breakfast is served cheerily by Betty at 8:00 on weekdays and 8:30 on weekends. There are 8 seats at the table. If you arrive a few minutes before the designated time, the owner will tell you to come back. Once seated at the designated hour, you can enjoy the breakfast which I found to be good but portion controlled. There is toast and cereal and one breakfast entree (fruit cup, French toast, quiche or omelette) per person. I’m not a big eater so it was fine for me. If you are, you may be disappointed. No enjoying a second cup of coffee because you are told to leave so other guests can be seated. A guest house that accommodates 20 guests seats 8 at a time for breakfast? The owner is not tactful in expressing what she requires from you either. I found that to be quite off putting.||There is tea all day but not coffee as the staff is gone at 4pm. A few store bought cookies are left on the desk. In my experience with B&B’s, the Innkeeper will offer freshly baked cookies or cheese and crackers in the afternoon. It’s nice to be welcomed back with a special treat and some pleasant conversation after a day of sightseeing . If you are looking for those amenities, you won’t find them here. The warmth and charm is nonexistent.||In the rooms, there are envelopes to leave a tip for the housekeeper. Of course I certainly would tip for good service. The room was cleaned every day with the bed made, the bathroom tidied and fresh towels. Cleanliness is definitely a top priority here. What I found offensive is that the envelope has a message that in part says, “tips are appropriate and greatly appreciated.” I need not be told what is appropriate.||If you are looking for some holiday cheer, you won’t find it here either. Not a wreath, evergreens or even a bow was in sight. As it is the owner’s prerogative to decorate as they see fit, it is not what a guest expects when staying at holiday time at a B&B.||In my opinion, I feel that this is a clean, convenient place to stay in DC. If you are looking for warmth and charm, you won’t find it here. I...

There are not enough words to describe the magic of Woodley Park Guest House. I wish I could give it 10 bubbles!||Laura and Raymond have created one of the most charming, luxurious, warm, and comfortable B&Bs that I have ever stayed in. While the amenities of the B&B are top-notch what truly sets it apart is the attentiveness of the proprietors and staff.||Every morning, you will find either Laura or Raymond holding court over the shared breakfast table. They introduce guests to each other and facilitate conversation and connection. I learned so much at the table, listening to the stories of the other guests and what brought them to D.C. Raymond and Laura have their own very interesting stories (Laura is a D.C. native, so she is a font of information and recommendations). If you are really lucky, you will be there on a morning when Raymond is making his incredible French toast.||Other than Laura and Raymond, the ladies at the front desk, Betty and Kelly, are wonderful as well. Beyond just being some of the kindest people that I have encountered in my travels, they are super-accommodating, arranging last-minute Smithsonian tickets and making recommendations of their own.||The building itself is beautiful and the décor tasteful. The beds and their linens are almost ridiculously comfortable (I was tempted to buy a set of sheets!) and there are bathrobes in each room. After a long day of sightseeing, it was a true haven to relax and rest up for the next day.||Woodley Park Guest House is also very conveniently located on a quiet, leafy street, within very short walking distance to a Metro station for the red line, and it is an easy ride to the attractions of D.C. It is also very close to National Cathedral (it is about a 25-minute walk). There are very good restaurants near the hotel.||The breakfast is extraordinary as well. I originally was attracted to the Woodley Park Guest House because of its sensitivity to allergies and dietary restrictions and, on that front, it did not disappoint. If you are gluten-free or dairy-free, there are delicious options for you.||I have one warning, though: it is an older home so expect stairs; if you have trouble with stairs, make sure that you book a room on a lower floor.||I have already recommended Woodley Park Guest House to a handful of friends looking to travel to D.C. later this year and I plan to continue to evangelize about the wonder...

The Woodley Park Guest House is beautiful, quiet, clean, and cozy, and the staff is exceptionally professional, yet warm and friendly. I was in DC for a conference event, and also as a tourist in DC for the first time and I loved my stay there, this past spring season. It was one of the best parts of my trip to DC and by far, the best hotel/inn experience that I’ve ever had. It is very conveniently located close to a Metro station, making it very easy to get to the National Mall and various downtown areas through the Metro, and also a very short walking distance to convenience stores for any necessities, and many fabulous restaurants. The neighborhood is beautiful, as well as the inn, itself. Parking cost extra but it was a great relief and convenience to have guaranteed parking space in DC that wasn’t valet or a garage. I slept so well while I was there, as everything (the bed, room) was so clean and comfortable, much more than any 4-star hotel that I’ve ever been to. Breakfast options were refreshingly simple, delicious, healthy and high quality, and the coffee was high quality too. I loved that there were no TVs in the rooms (or anywhere) but there was a prominent bookcase in the foyer with classics and non-fiction, along with a small table with established periodicals, such as the NY Times, the Washington Post. I could go on, because there is so much that I liked and appreciated, especially the little details, like the white noise machine provided in the room, the selection of Twinings tea available throughout the day, and the decor, giving character throughout the inn, even the website and correspondence with the staff by email when I was booking my room, before I arrived in DC. Maybe because I am a quiet and introspective person, but the Woodley Park Guest House really spoke to my soul and was beyond my expectations. It is also very affordable and for the price, I feel like I got so much quality in return. If I ever return to DC, I would love to stay at the Woodley Park Guest...