Washington DC: Hotel Helix (3 Star Hotel)

0.3 business

Address: 1430 rhode island ave nw , Washington 20005, United states
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Lonely Planet review

  • Ryan Ver Berkmoes
  • Lonely Planet author
You half expect to find Willy Wonka or Dr Seuss in the next room at the Hotel Helix. The decor favours candy colours, lava lamps, king-sized bunk beds and round mirrors. Underneath all this silliness is a very comfortable hotel with good service.

Easily the goofiest of the Kimpton Group's DC hotels, there's Pop Rocks in the minibar, a glitter driveway and a restaurant whose chairs light up as you sit down. The mood is set when you see the goofy illuminated artwork outside (on an otherwise buttoned-down street) and continues as you enter the lobby in the style of a 1970s chat show host (curtains framing the door whoosh aside). The lobby seating and in fact much of the interior detailing throughout could have come from the movie 2001 and celebrates a future that never arrived. Comforts include lots of Internet connectivity, flatscreen TVs and more. For once the hype is backed up by guests who seem to be enjoying it. A steady stream of hipsters, art directors, band members and folks pretending to be any of those three pass through the curtains.

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Atmosphere: Boutique and Busy

Check-in / Check-out Earliest check-in: 3:00 PM
Latest check-out time: 12:00 PM