The Dupont Circle Hotel

Style mavens and scene-seekers will adore The Dupont Circle, with its delectable Clodagh interiors, airy suites (the best have private terraces overlooking the neighborhood’s elite manor houses), and chic, upscale vibe. Ideal for business and solo travel, as well as relaxing long weekend getaways with friends or loved ones, the hotel is warm and welcoming, largely thanks to the influence of its parent brand—the Irish, family-owned Doyle Collection.

• The bright and breezy all-day restaurant The Pembroke (closed only for dinner on Sundays) and the sexy Doyle bar lounge, both designed by Swedish starchitect Martin Brudnizki. They’re also a social hub for the greater Dupont Circle neighborhood, and they are popular spots for weekday cocktails and weekend brunches, as well as special events like St. Patrick’s Day and the Pride Festival.
• The ultra-private, all-suite top floor, which can be booked out in its entirety. Seven of the 13 suites have terraces—a rarity this close to the White House—and the Penthouse Suite is the crown jewel.
• The warmth and intimacy of the property, which comes from its Irish hospitality heritage and integration with the local community. A stay here is imbued with a residential or club-like feeling that invites return stays and is especially welcoming for business or solo travelers.

Originally built in 1947 as a hotel on D.C.’s famous roundabout, The Dupont Circle was fully renovated and reopened by The Doyle Collection in the fall of 2020. Like its seven sister properties in England and Ireland—including The Westbury in Dublin and The Bloomsbury in London—The Dupont Circle emanates the warmth and grounding of the collection, which remains an Irish, family-owned brand headed by Bernadette “Bernie” Gallagher (daughter of the group’s founder, PV Doyle, and the current chairman).

As the brand’s only stateside property, The Dupont Circle is bringing back style and energy to a historic D.C. neighborhood, known for its beautiful listed manor houses and abundance of embassies and think tanks. Just steps from America’s first modern art museum, the celebrated Phillips Collection, the hotel is conveniently and well-located: It’s easy walking distance to popular neighborhoods like Foggy Bottom, Adams Morgan and Logan Circle; it’s a 25-minute walk to Georgetown, George Washington University and the White House; and it’s less than a 20-minute drive from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Union Station.

The pet-friendly property offers 327 guest rooms, including 32 suites, as well as a signature restaurant and bar, a coffee shop, a small 24-hour fitness center, 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and valet parking; there is no spa. Envisioned by the Irish-born, New York-based designer Clodagh, in partnership with Bernie Gallagher, The Dupont Circle’s interiors pay homage to the building’s mid-century bones, with a polished yet cozy and subtly masculine aesthetic, and textured accents like printed wallpaper and velvet cushions. Clodagh is known for her “‘life-enhancing minimalism”—and spaces are clean and functional. Throughout the hotel, floor-to-ceiling windows are favored, and both rooms and public spaces fill with plenty of natural light. Dark-wood paneling, white marble and thick textiles like woven wool and leather prevail throughout—and highlights from Bernie’s own private art holdings, which comprise one of the largest collections in Ireland, decorate the halls, public spaces and guest rooms (keep an eye out for pieces by Irish sculptor John Behan and American photographer Dennis Hopper). The bar and restaurant, which were designed by Martin Brudnizki, continue this sophisticated, relaxed atmosphere, with a bit more of Brudnizki’s signature vibrance and color.

In the rooms, the supremely comfortable beds are clad in Frette linens, and the bathrooms feature Malin+Goetz products, with heated floors; some bathrooms are equipped with double sinks and bathtubs. Entry-level rooms are reasonably spacious, but for families—or a true pied-à-terre experience—the suites are worth the splurge (there are also connecting options). For an ultra-private experience, the hotel’s top floor, the ninth, contains just 13 suites, which can be booked out in their entirety, with private elevator and garage access (ideal for diplomats and celebrities). Seven of the 13 suites have their own terraces, which becomes increasingly rare the closer you get to the White House. For special events, the Penthouse Suite is one of the largest in the city, and it offers two bedrooms, five terraces with amazing panoramic views, and a large living room and kitchen/cocktail space, where private dining, mixology and tastings can be arranged. Mini bars on the ninth floor have a complimentary, rotating selection of healthy-ish treats, handpicked by the Dupont Circle team from local producers and small businesses; there is also Irish tea and Nespresso.

The bright and breezy all-day restaurant The Pembroke (closed only for dinner on Sundays) and the sexy Doyle bar (open daily from 2:00 p.m.) form the heart of the property. They’re also staples of the greater Dupont Circle neighborhood, and they are popular spots for weekday cocktails and weekend brunches (the french toast is a must-order), as well as special events like St. Patrick’s Day and the Pride Festival. In the warmer weather, the Doyle bar’s leafy terrace is great for people-watching, while the wood paneling, brass lighting, fireplaces and leather and velvet seating of the inside lounge offer the feeling of a buzzy members’ club, year-round (with a hint of “Mad Men” glamour). In addition to small bites and craft cocktails, the selection of Irish whiskies is a highlight here. With its cheerful coral banquettes and marble-topped bar, The Pembroke serves contemporary American cuisine, with global influences and a focus on local, seasonal products. There is also a convenient little coffee bar just off of the lobby, Doyle & Co., which serves specialty coffees, teas, juices and pastries, for travelers on the go (open Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.). Plus: Don’t miss a taste of the hotel’s own custom coffee blend, created by organic, artisanal roaster Serina Roy an hour’s drive away, in Maryland.

Buzzy like a members’ club and intimate like a private home, The Dupont Circle’s charm, which turns visitors into repeat guests, comes from its family ownership and Irish roots. Japanese diplomats are known to come here for tea, while the hotel is generally considered to be the annex of the Irish embassy—especially during Irish Heritage Month in March. This identity comes through in the warm hospitality and thoughtful details, like the hotel’s Irish Wine Geese program (which spotlights Irish emigrants who began producing wine abroad—and, yes, you can also get a pint of Guinness here). For a true taste of local D.C. life, The Dupont Circle is a great place to start.

Guests of The Dupont Circle should not miss a stroll through D.C.’s largest farmers market, which happens every Sunday just steps from the hotel, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Learn more here.

Ideal for business and solo travel, as well as relaxing long weekend getaways with friends or loved ones, The Dupont Circle offers a more residential vibe that is well-suited for guests who are looking for a taste of local D.C. life (especially on a return visit).

The hotel is family-friendly, but travelers seeking a hotel experience that is more catered towards children, especially younger children, may be happier at a property like the Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton—as will travelers seeking a robust program of hotel amenities, like a larger gym and full-service spa. The suites at The Dupont Circle can accommodate families well, but the overall décor and feeling of the property is more sophisticated and mature.

Pets are welcome for a $100 fee, per stay.