Dog-Friendly Hotel in Washington DC
Anyone who travels with their dog knows that Kimptons are THE place to stay. They’re always pet-friendly–any species, any breed, any size. I once saw a leashed cat hanging out at the wine hour. Awesome. They never charge a pet fee. Super awesome. They allow your pet anywhere in the property with the exception of restaurants (hello Wine Hour!). They’re generally located in areas that not only you, but also your pup, will enjoy visiting. And to top it off, each has their own unique style that is fun to explore.
But alas, not all properties are created equal, even in the wonderful world of Kimpton. So when we chose Hotel Palomar in DC by chance for a staycation, we were thrilled to discover it’s perfectly situated for visitors and locals alike. We were so thrilled, in fact, that we returned for a second staycation and will likely return for a third.
Location
First, the location is fantastic. On P Street NW, just off of Dupont Circle, you’ll find endless dining and entertainment options. But it’s also a great location for incorporating your dog into your sightseeing. Just around the block is Massachusets Ave, or Embassy Row. Even in freezing temps, when we visited, it’s such a nice walk. The buildings are stunning and it’s fun to try to guess the flags of each embassy before reading the signs. You’ll stay entertained while your pup enjoys the extra time outside to explore. Rummy loves exploring any new place, but she really seemed to appreciate the quiet and greener sidewalks of Mass Ave over the more crowded blocks of retail.
For basic logistics, there is a grassy area at P and 22nd to take your dog for a quick bathroom break. Always nice to know you don’t have to walk multiple blocks from the hotel for this.
Hanging Out In the Hotel with Your Pup
Back at the hotel, pets are welcomed with open arms. Part of your Kimpton Karma profile includes preferences for your pet. You’ll find a dog bed and bowls waiting in the room. And if you’re traveling with kids while your pet is at home, you can request a goldfish. Just another nice Kimpton touch.
We found several ways to include Rummy while hanging out at the hotel. First, the Wine Hour is a plus. Who doesn’t love complimentary wine? And when your pup can join you, it’s even better. It’s always funny to me to watch the expressions of Kimpton first-timers at the Wine Hour. I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard “wow, this is the coolest place ever for dogs!” You’ll find a handful of dogs hanging with their people in the lobby. Every so often there’s a bark, but for the most part the dogs are veteran travelers. So if you’re enjoying a glass of wine before heading out for dinner, it’s nice for your pup to join you before heading up to the room.
We chose to hang out in the lobby for most of the afternoon the next day. It was New Years Eve, and with a big night ahead of us, we looked forward to a relaxing afternoon with Rummy. The lobby is small, but there is comfortable seating and if you can score the couch by the fireplace, you’re golden. We ordered flatbread from Urbana (Delicious. So delicious, in fact, we ordered a second…), the hotel’s adjacent restaurant. I ordered it at the bar and expected to pick it up there, but it was slow so the bartender brought it out to us. This way we were able to eat in the lobby where Rummy could sit with us. We ended up sitting in the lobby for several hours. Bar service from the restaurant kept our wine glasses full and Rummy was perfectly content people watching while we read.
There are quite a few places we could have taken Rummy in the surrounding neighborhood, but the intent of the visit was to relax and enjoy the amenities of the hotel with her. She had an exciting new walk down Embassy Row and several hours of hanging out with us among new surroundings before we went out for the evening. You can also ask the front desk for suggestions of places to take your pup and dog walkers if you need one.
We’ve stayed at a few Kimptons and many other hotels and resorts with Rummy and this ranks as one of the best. We give it 5 Pups for how easy it was to incorporate Rummy into our stay, amenities, location and no pet fee. We’re already looking forward to our next visit!
Fore more dog-friendly hotels, check out our Lodging page.