Where I choose to stay plays a big part of my experience in a city. I much prefer hotels with character and a story to tell, hotels with an endearing but idiosyncratic nature. When I travel, I tend to pick hotels that offer something unique, while still providing the basic conveniences – a central location, clean rooms, good service. And coffee.
A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to experience a mini staycation at The Quincy DC. To be honest, I’ve walked past the downtown location multiple times, but not specifically noticed the building. Modus Hotels got its start in the 1970s when chairman and founder Conrad Cafritz started transforming high-rise apartment buildings into hotels.
huge rooms with pops of orange (Photo courtesy the quincy)
The Quincy, which is owned by the Modus brand has been around for a few years, and I’m glad I discovered the Modus group and The Quincy recently.
Each of the hotels in the Modus collection has a unique theme and offers a unique experience. The Quincy’s theme is “Be Bold” and this really comes through with the splashes of bold (but not in your face) orange in the common areas and in the room , Andy Warhol-esque artwork, a chalkboard wall with hand written restaurant listings and other personal touches. I would not call this a “fancy” hotel, but it definitely has a boutique feel to it without costing you an arm and a leg! In addition, the lobby is currently being renovated, and am excited see the new look soon.
The Location: Considering the hotel is just a couple of blocks from Dupont Circle, the location can’t really be beat whether you are a visitor to DC looking to visit the tourist attractions, a business traveler working downtown, a group of friends in town for food/drink/nightlife, or pretty much any sort of getaway. Basically, the hotel is central to anywhere you would want to go in DC.
The Rooms: The first thing I noticed when I walked in are the size of the rooms. Definitely a luxury in a downtown city hotel, the rooms are large and comfortable and come with a coffee maker (a hotel essential in my opinion!), a microwave, and a fridge – handy if you want to enjoy a meal in the room. They also provide suites with kitchenettes, which would be great for longer trips or for families who want to enjoy a home cooked meal.
Pro tip: Walk over to the Dupont Circle Farmers Market on Sunday morning and stock up on fresh, local fare for a snack or make a meal of it!
guests enjoy a sangria happy hour, and i love the chalkboaard wall with restaurant suggestions (photo courtesy the quincy)
The Staff: A hotel can be fabulous, but the people who run the show make all the difference, and that was definitely the highlight for us. Right from the folks who helped us check-in, to the staff we met through our stay, everyone was professional and friendly. Most importantly, they were knowledgeable about the city and everything that was on offer around the hotel, from restaurants, services, and sightseeing. Later, I found out that the hotel staff take weekly walks around the neighborhood as part of their ongoing training, to keep up to date with what’s around. Great idea, that many other hotels would be wise to follow!
In fact, Modus was just ranked in the Top 10 Best Places to Work 2015 – Kudos to the company and the entire team!
The Food: I will point out that there is no “hotel restaurant”, but The Quincy makes up for it by working with local establishments around the property. With the menus provided in the room, you can place your order with the front desk, and they pick it up from the restaurant and deliver to your room directly. As a food lover, I see this as a huge positive – lots of different choices, an opportunity to try local establishments, and definitely way better than many bland hotel restaurants! We enjoyed a fabulous sandwich from The Melt Shop.
From the large rooms to the personalized service and attention, the Quincy is something special.
Things to know:
it's the little things - earplugs if city sounds bother you
1. If you are looking to exercise during your stay, Modus offers passes to a gym within a couple of minutes walking distance. And discounts to a spa as well.
2. The Quincy offers different a “sights and snacks” package rate – complete with Metro passes, refillable water bottles and a snack for your day out in the city. Other packages are available too – breakfast, parking, etc.
3. If you happen to be there on a Wednesday, go down to the lobby for a Sangria happy hour and meet fellow travelers and the wonder staff
4. In addition to The Quincy, Modus operates other hotels in DC, Chicago, and Baltimore – each with a unique theme.
Next time you are looking for a hotel in DC, whether for a weekend trip or a staycation, definitely consider The Quincy. Be Bold, give them a chance and you won’t be disappointed.
Note: We were guests of The Quincy, but all opinions here, good and bad, are my own.
