Arlo Hotel opens, complete with Arrels Restaurant and a Rooftop Bar

D.C.’s oldest surviving apartment building, the 1888 Harrison Apartments, has been transformed into a glamorous new 445-room hotel, Arlo Washington D.C. The hotel’s highlights include a gorgeous rooftop bar with indoor and outdoor seating, as well as the flagship restaurant named Arrels. Helmed by Chef Pepe Moncayo, Arrels means “roots” in Catalan to honor the Chef’s Spanish heritage. Standout dishes on the menu include the crispiest patatas bravas, served in a charming cone alongside a puddle of garlicky aioli, grilled gem lettuce crowned with a snowy mountain of Manchego cheese, chewy mushroom fideos, and, of course, flaky, sugar-coated churros served with a dense chocolate sauce.

Dupont Circle Hotel’s Pembroke Sunday Suppers

In the fall of 2024, The Pembroke, the gorgeous, glass-enclosed restaurant located on the first floor of D.C.’s Dupont Circle hotel, launched a new Sunday Supper series. Each month, a different member of The Pembroke’s talented culinary team will curate a prix-fixe, family-style meal, using fresh ingredients from the market, that honors their own personal culture. Guests can choose to dine just with their party, or,  in the dinner’s spirit of gathering, sit at the community table with whomever else is there that evening.

We were lucky enough to attend the inaugural supper, which had a Sicilian theme. (And as you know, we at the Dining Traveler love all things Sicilian!) The family-style meal included sfincione, a garlicky parmesan-dusted Sicilian pizza, panelle, crunchy chickpea flour crackers, stuffed cabbage, grilled romano beans, roasted cauliflower with almonds, mint, lemon, and chilies, and hearty braised beans. Dessert was a marvel; not-too-sweet ricotta cake arrived topped with warm roasted plums and peaches, and the creamiest chocolate chip gelato was too good not to finish. This is a D.C. hotel experience you don’t want to miss!    

Hotel Heron’s Debuts New Cocktail Bar, Francis Hall

Old Town Alexandria’s Hotel Heron, right outside of D.C. just opened Francis Hall, a craft cocktail bar offering a boozy D.C. hotel experience. The menu features about 30 drinks, including gems like Frank’s Punch, a strong combination of corn whiskey, mezcal, clementine, and suze, and a Negroni that is served as a frozen sorbet with mezcal, vermouth, citrus, and chocolate, and made table-side with liquid nitrogen for an extra special experience.

The Fire Garden at Park Hyatt’s Blue Duck Tavern

Lots of local outdoor patios have closed for the winter, but if you love to enjoy the fresh air even when temperatures are low, visit the new fire garden at Blue Duck Tavern for a super seasonal D.C. hotel experience. The newly created outdoor oasis features firepits and cozy blankets on the terrace and a fun menu of seasonal cocktails like a gingerbread martini, made with vanilla vodka, Irish cream, and ginger, and a chai white Russian, featuring chai-spiced cream, spiced rum, and cinnamon. There is also a series of drinks that incorporate at least one ingredient or garnish that was sourced directly from the hotel’s rooftop garden, like the sweet potato old fashioned with rum blend, sweet potato syrup, angostura bitters, and pecan bitters, garnished with dehydrated orange and two charred meringue cubes. Also part of the series are the golden pear with pear ginger vodka, lime juice, elderflower liqueur, ginger syrup, and angostura bitters, garnished with dried pear, and the Park DC cider with apple, cinnamon- and clove-infused bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice, cranberry and ginger syrup, served in a cider mug and garnished with a cinnamon stick. 

Kimpton Hotel Monaco’s Winter Chalet

Dirty Habit has transformed its outdoor patio into a cozy winter chalet with fire pits, blankets, and a snow cannon, offering a lovely festive D.C. hotel experience. Seasonal beverages include warm concoctions like hot toddies, hot chocolate, and mulled wine. Don’t forget to order some of their famous truffle frites!

Visitation Hotel Frederick is the first new hotel to open in Frederick, MD in 50 years

Visitation Hotel Frederick, the first new hotel to open in Frederick, Maryland in the last 50 years, is housed in a space that was formerly a convent and Catholic school, which has been renovated into a 65-room boutique hotel. Celebrity chef siblings Bryan and Michael Voltaggio are opening their first joint restaurant in their hometown inside the Visitation, called Wye Oak Tavern, and the venue is a great spot from which you can explore historic downtown Frederick.

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All about our staycation at Hyatt Tysons Corner: 

Location:  Location, Location, Location! The Hyatt Tysons Corner scores high on the location meter. It’s located right next to the Tysons Corner Mall.  There’s literally a door that takes you right into the mall.  I haven’t been to Tysons Corner mall in a while and love what they’ve done in terms of entertainment and shopping options.  Whether you’re a couple on a weekend escape or a family, there’s plenty that the mall has to offer: shopping, wide dining range, and a full-service movie theater.  In terms of geographic location, it’s equidistant from Dulles Airport and Downtown Washington, DC.  The new Silver Line on the metro takes you straight to Washington, DC without the hassle of parking or traffic.

Rooms: We were fortunate to be upgraded to the Presidential Suite which was fabulous.  The Hyatt Tysons Corner is a new property and it reflects on the modern decor of the suite:  a beautiful neutral color palette with pops of color in the right places, fashion coffee books lining the office, and beautiful view extending to the forests of Northern Virginia.  I don’t get lucky with the upgrades all the time so I made sure to check out the standard rooms: they are spacious, with beautiful modern decor, and tons of natural light.

The Food:  We dined at Barrel & Bushel, the hotel’s restaurant on a Saturday night. Dining Traveler Tip: make sure to make a reservation ahead of time as it was quite busy when we arrived.  The restaurant was bustling with a mix of hotel guests and locals, a very lively scene. The menu is classic American dishes, mostly in small plates for guests to share. We indulged in delicious fried chicken sliders, 72-hour braised pork belly, and crab avocado toasts.  Everything was delicious but very rich! Make sure to book on your cheat day! Thankfully we took advantage of the gym at Hyatt Tysons Corner the following day!

Amenities: The hotel has an ample sized gym with a good selection of cardio, machines, and free weights. The airy and bright fitness center is also equipped with water, headphones, and towels.  After our workout, we took a look at the indoor pool which is decent sized, with great natural light, and lifeguard on duty.  Another perk of the hotel is free parking. Living in the DC area this is very hard to come by. If your trip to the DC area involves driving, I suggest staying outside of the city as parking rates in the city are ridiculous ($40-50 a night in major hotels).

The Verdict: If you’re looking for a property with close access to both Washington, DC and Northern, VA the Hyatt Tysons Corner is the place for you. The hotel strikes the perfect balance for business and family, it has a great dining options nearby to cater to every taste, and it’s just steps away from great shopping! Looking for a staycation?  The hotel currently has a 10% off sale for their Hyatt Passport Members (membership is free).

Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center, 7901 Tysons One Place, Tysons Corner, Virginia, USA, 22102; https://tysonscornercenter.regency.hyatt.com

Disclaimer:  The Hyatt Tysons Corner graciously hosted my stay. As always, opinions are my own…

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