By Perrie Hartz

With so many world-class art museums, galleries, exhibits and weekly events, Washington D.C.’s art scene is hard to beat. And the city’s lively Dupont Circle neighborhood, with its vibrant dining, nightlife, and cultural scene, is very much at the heart of this burgeoning art world.

Perfectly situated in the center of it all is  The Dupont Circle, a stunning 327-room property that has been renovated into a modern space filled with incredible artwork by internationally-renowned artists. The transformation was helmed by owner and art-lover Bernadette Gallagher, the Chairman of The Doyle Collection, in collaboration with world-renowned designers Martin Brudnizki and the New York-based Clodagh Design, who have imbued the property with a sleek, avant-garde aesthetic.

Indeed the space functions not just as a hotel but almost as a gallery itself, as it possesses Mrs Gallagher’s museum-worthy art collection (that is also spread across The Doyle Collection’s eight hotels). Whether arriving in the lobby, seated at the chic Doyle bar sipping cocktails, enjoying a fabulous meal at the restaurant, or even waking up in one of the incredible penthouse level suites, guests will be able to view some truly stunning pieces of art. Notable artists include New York-based furniture sculptor Silas Seandel, famed photographer and actor Dennis Hopper, Finnish award-winning photographer Esko Männikkö, and British collaborative painting duo Olly Williams and Suzi Winstanley. Guests will also spot pieces by Irish sculptor John Behan.

A perfect home base for culture-enthusiasts and art lovers alike, The Dupont Circle counts some of the city’s most beloved art institutions as its neighbors. Nearby, rows of historic and stately Gilded Age-era mansions-turned Embassy houses line Massachusetts Avenue, and the famous and unmissable Phillips Collection of impressionist and modern paintings is housed in a stunning Georgian Revival style estate just a few minutes away. There are also many galleries, museums, historic houses, cultural centers, and theaters close by, including The Renwick Gallery, The Chinese American Museum, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Woodrow Wilson House, and The Keegan Theatre, among others.

On the third Thursday of every month, the neighborhood of Dupont Circle hosts the popular “Third Thursday” Gallery Walk, an evening where select local galleries, museums, and other businesses choose to stay open after hours and welcome art enthusiasts from all over into their intimate spaces for a fun-filled evening of live music, cocktails, canapés, and of course, artwork.

The Suite Life

The Dupont Circle Hotel seamlessly blends classic Golden Age glamour with sophisticated modernity while still paying homage to the building’s mid-century beginnings, and it is the luxurious suites that really shine here, including the new Penthouse Level, a newly-refurbished exclusive floor with 12 unique suites, many with sprawling outdoor terraces and panoramic views.

The Grand Penthouse Suite is the ultimate residence, a 3,000 square foot pinnacle of luxury with floor to ceiling windows and a heated, wrap around fully-furnished outdoor terrace featuring unbeatable, instagram-worthy views over the capital. Boasting two bedrooms, the suite’s interiors are custom-designed with specially commissioned artwork and furnishings, including a visually-arresting painting by Olly Williams and Suzi Winstanley as the living room’s stunning centerpiece. There is also a dining room that seats eight, a fireplace, and a custom-designed private in-room bar. Large European-style marble bathrooms boast jacuzzi soaking tubs, walk-in showers, heated floors, and sumptuous linens and amenities. 

The Penthouse Level—which includes this Grand Penthouse Suite, along with the Grand Luxury Terrace Suite, The Penthouse, and The Signature Terrace Suite—offers exceptional personalized service and intimate touches that come together with sleek style, allowing each space to feel more like the beloved and elegant private home of a stylish art connoisseur, or even an exclusive members’ club.

The bright and airy suites all have an open floor plan that includes dining areas, incredibly views, and a living room accented with modern sculptures and artwork. And with a seamless indoor-outdoor experience, these suites offer the perfect spaces for entertaining during a chic, art-filled weekend in the city (perhaps even as the last stop during Third Thursday).

After a day or night spent perusing the nearby museums and galleries, guests will love returning with their loved ones or a group of friends to the luxurious comfort of their Penthouse-level suite for night caps made at their very own in-room bar, to be enjoyed on the sprawling terrace overlooking the sparkling lights of DC below, ending the night in pure style.

This article was made possible with the support by Hidden Doorways.