Topaz Hotel

The Topaz Hotel is a 99-roomcite web| last=Kiernan | first=Louise | title="A bit of Zen in downtown D.C." | work=| publisher="Chicago Tribune"| date=2007-07-15| url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-sleep_dc_subjul15,0,7376906.story| accessdate=2008-06-04] boutique hotel at 1733 N Street Northwest, between Dupont Circle and Scott Circle in Washington, D.C. Located around the corner from St. Matthew's Cathedral and the Philippine embassy, the Topaz Hotel is one of 10 Kimpton hotel properties in the Washington Metropolitan Area.cite web| last=Rosenwald | first=Michael | title="Welcoming a New Guest To the Trendy Hotel Club" | work=| publisher="The Washington Post"| date=2007-11-19| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/18/AR2007111801130.html| accessdate=2008-06-04] Formerly the Canterbury Hotel, the building which houses Hotel Topaz was purchased in March 2001 by LaSalle Hotel Properties of Bethesda, Maryland, and became a joint project of the Kimpton Group and LaSalle. Hotel Topaz became the first Kimpton-managed property on the East Coast and opened in October 2001.cite web| last=Cube | first=Christine | title="Two hotels close for hip redos in overall $60M package" | work=| publisher="Washington Business Journal"| date=2002-01-25| url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2002/01/28/story6.html| accessdate=2008-06-04] cite web| last=Koncius | first=Jura | title="Washington, This Is Your Wake-Up Call" | work=| publisher="The Washington Post"| date=2002-01-17| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=cityguide/profile&id=1084997| accessdate=2008-06-04] Known for its New Age and body wellness themes, the Topaz Hotel was named one of the 11 healthiest hotels in the United States by "Health" magazine.cite web| last=Schulte | first=Megg | title="Healthy hotels for happy holidays" | work=| publisher="USA Today"| date=2005-11-29| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=cityguide/profile&id=1084997| accessdate=2008-06-04] In 2006, the Topaz Hotel was named one of the trendiest hotels in Washington, D.C.cite web| last=| first= | title="Best bets for a place to stay in Washington, D.C." | work=| publisher=MSNBC| date=2006-12-11| url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16080693/ | accessdate=2008-06-04]

Hotel design

The Topaz Hotel uses a wide range of colors in its room designs, employee uniforms, and lounge. In what has been described as "punk Buddhist", the doormen's and front desk employees' uniforms consist of iridescent sunburst tunics, scarves, and hats that are deep red and turquoise. Techno music that is played in the hotel's lounge, the Topaz Bar, can be heard throughout the lobby.cite web| last=| first= | title="Best bets for a place to stay in Washington, D.C." | work=| publisher="The New York Times"| date=2006-12-11| url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E4D8153EF935A3575AC0A9649C8B63 | accessdate=2008-06-04] cite web| last=Kaufman | first=Len | title="In big-city hotels, cheap and chic can share same bed" | work=| publisher="USA Today" | date=2005-09-29| url=http://www.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2005-09-29-valuehotels_x.htm | accessdate=2008-06-04]

The guest rooms contain beds covered in white stripes and paisley, as well as blue and gray polka-dot headboards. Lampshades are covered with black and white stripes, walls feature beige and celadon stripes, the curtains are red and the couch is purple. Red and yellow chairs lie on top of yellow snowflake patterned rugs, and a golden framed sun-dial mirror is located on the wall. Animal-print bathrobes, organic teas, a horoscope, and a bag containing three stones are located in each guest room. The stones are called totems by the hotel.

Seven guest rooms at the Topaz Hotel include a treadmill, stair climber, elliptical machine, exercise bike or yoga nook, and all rooms feature a 24-hour yoga television channel.cite web| last= | first= | title="Road to fitness" | work=| publisher="USA Weekend"| date=2004-09-14| url=http://www.usaweekend.com/04_issues/040919/040919news.html| accessdate=2008-06-04] cite web| last=Powers | first=Vicki | title="A Healthier Kind of Room Service" | work=| publisher=CNNMoney.com| date=2005-04-01 | url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2005/04/01/8256041/index.htm | accessdate=2008-06-04] The specialty rooms cost an additional twenty dollars.cite web| last=Stellin | first=Susan | title="Attracting Bodies to Rooms Geared to the Soul" | work=| publisher="The New York Times" | date=2006-05-07| url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/05/07/travel/07heads.html | accessdate=2008-06-04]

Hotel lounge

The hotel's lounge is called the Topaz Bar, the first Kimpton bar to open in Washington, D.C.cite web| last=Hahn | first=Fritz | title="Topaz Bar" | work=| publisher="The Washington Post"| date=| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=cityguide/profile&id=1067031| accessdate=2008-06-04] The Topaz Bar features an Asian-themed appetizer menu, and the house cocktail is the Blue Nirvana. Architectural designs of the bar include blue and white terazzo flooring, banquettes covered with velvet pillows, animal-print rugs, and lights that change from red to blue to yellow. Room service for hotel guests is handled by the Topaz Bar. Weekly events at the Topaz Bar include "Neighborhood Wine Night" on Tuesdays, "Liquid Therapy" every Monday through Saturday, and "The Laughing Buddhaha," a comedy night on Thursdays.cite web| last= | first=| title="Events" | work=| publisher=Topaz Bar | date=| url=http://www.loungedc.com/dcbtpz/events.html| accessdate=2008-06-04] The Topaz Bar is one of three Kimpton locations where a local lesbian social gathering called "A Different Kind of Ladies Night" occurs.cite web| last=Lunglhofer | first=Johanna | title="Ladies of the night " | work=| publisher="Washington Blade"| date=2005-08-05| url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2005/8-5/locallife/outindc/ladies.cfm| accessdate=2008-06-04]

References

External links

* [http://www.topazhotel.com/ Topaz Hotel]
* [http://www.loungedc.com/ Topaz Bar]