The Melrose Hotel
Washington, DC

A long day, stuffed into coach on full coast-to-coast flight, ends at our nation’s capital. In February’s gray and cold melancholy, I arrive at The Melrose Hotel. My spirits match the weather. The staff, cheery and fun, makes the day seem gay. But the only thing I warm to—besides the blue and yellow silk that festoons the drapes in my room—is the bed. Under a puff of warmth, I tuck between crisp sheets ever so grateful to disappear into a decadent late afternoon snooze.

I come to in the dark and the quiet. Unfurling, I walk to the wall of drapes and pull them aside—the capital is transformed into a crystal city. Snow falling on cherries. Cars quiet on snow-felt. The city lights dazzle with snow as if troupes of lamplighter fairies had gone on a spree. Time for a walk.

The Melrose Hotel is a congenial place and a congenial spot from which to roam on a winter’s night. It’s just east of Washington Circle. Stroll west on K Street, through Foggy Bottom and you end up at the engaging green—now white—way that snakes through the city, Rock Creek Park. Alternatively, turn on M Street and head over the bridge into Georgetown for dozens of tempting restaurants. Head east up Pennsylvania for five blocks and you’ll pass the World Bank and come upon the White House. We headed south 17th Street to join the other winter evening’s wanderers on The Mall. Lovers cocooned, kids collided and everyone’s humor was much improved.

Returning to the Melrose, laughing, we sip cherry-tinis in the cheery library bar. The cherry is in honor of the upcoming Cherry festival—no fear, the blossoms will not be harmed by this brief winter’s blast. The Melrose provides what they call a "cherry’s jubilee of activities and fruits." Most enticing is their "Sushi and Sake" celebration. Seafood flown in from the west (Hawaii) meets sake from east for a spring fete.

Returning to my room, I am far more in the mood to appreciate its individuality and its heritage. Once two apartment buildings—one facing K Street and the other Pennsylvania Avenue—every room in the Melrose is unique. And each has its own distinct personality. Mine, a one-time efficiency apartment is now a commodious hotel room with an entire office alcove and separate dressing\bathing area.

Overall, the feel is country Williamsburg. Colonial blues and golds dominate the color scheme. The bed has tall, graceful spindles and the striped drapes their very French silk valance. The valance, sumptuous with 18th century cherubs, is dripping with not-at-all lunatic fringe. The couch is brocade and the chairs have soft cushions.

Ahh, the chairs. They are enormous. They are exactly the type of chair Eliza had in mind—before she became My Fair Lady, when she sang, "All I want is a room somewhere, far away from the cold night air, with one enormous chair—Aow, wouldn't it be loverly?"

They even give you the chocolates. And it is loverly.

The Melrose Hotel on the web.