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We were looking for a convenient and pet-friendly accommodation for our three-day visit to Washington DC and made reservations at the Hilton Canopy. The hotel's central location made it incredibly convenient for us to explore all the attractions on our itinerary.

We had previously stayed at a Canopy hotel in Austin with Crystal’s corgi, Kuma, and enjoyed our experience there, so we knew that the Canopy was the right choice for us.

FIRST IMPRESSION

We were driving into DC from North Carolina, a journey that took us about 7.5 hours, and finally arrived after sunset around 8 PM. As we arrived at the entrance, it was quite dark, which made it hard to see everything around us clearly. We were unsure if we were in the right place, as the absence of a valet attendee left us with a slight sense of uncertainty.

Hilton Canopy Hotel Exterior — Hilton Canopy in Washington DC

We were in a bustling corner of Washington, D.C., and valet parking was our only option, so we had to find a hotel attendee in charge of valet to give them our car keys. There was a gentleman standing right at the entrance of the hotel, but he never approached us, so we weren’t sure if worked at the hotel.

Hilton Canopy DC Entrance — Hilton Canopy Entrance

After we got out of our car and gathered our belongings, we approached that same gentleman and he confirmed that he worked at the hotel. He told us to hand our car keys to the staff inside who would check us in.

Long story short, our first impressions were confusion and somewhat of a letdown. It would have been helpful for someone to kindly direct us and help us with our belongings upon our arrival.

Hilton Canopy DC Lounge — Hilton Canopy Lounge Area

THE ROOM

We were thrilled upon entering our room located on the second floor at 203, a cozy sanctuary adorned with two comfortable Queen beds. As always, Crystal had requested a room away from the bustling elevators, taking into consideration Kuma's sensitivity to external sounds. The room itself was spacious with modern and elegant decor which created an ambiance that felt luxurious.

Two Queen Bed Room — Room with Two Queen Beds

The room was pretty dark, casting a subdued ambiance that perpetually felt like it was early evening. We usually like bright rooms with lots of natural sunlight, but the soft lighting in this room had its own peaceful charm.

Unfortunately, despite the presence of a window, our excitement waned as only a fraction of light managed to seep through the panes due to the proximity of another towering structure.

Queen bed with Grey Comforter — Bed with four pillows

Our beds were incredibly comfortable and spacious for a good night's sleep. We had an abundance of fluffy pillows on each bed, ensuring that we could comfortably prop ourselves up or sink into softness.

The convenience of having a nightstand situated between the beds allowed us to easily access our belongings, while the individual charging stations provided a convenient spot to charge both our devices overnight.

We admired the charming seating area by the window, complete with a table, perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee or working on our laptops. However, due to our extensive luggage, we utilized this inviting space to neatly store and organize our belongings throughout our stay.

Next to the comfortable lounge chairs was the coffee station adorned with a state-of-the-art Nespresso machine, enticing us with its rich aroma. We also discovered a generously sized glass bottle thoughtfully provided for our convenience, encouraging us to indulge in refreshing, filtered water at any time we desired.

Right below the coffee station, was a unique refrigerator that was cleverly disguised as a drawer, seamlessly blending into the overall aesthetic of the space. This was the first time we had ever encountered such a creative refrigerator design.

A long, sleek working desk covered the entire wall facing the comfortable beds, offering us an abundance of space to neatly arrange our belongings. The thoughtful design of the desk included numerous conveniently positioned outlets and USB ports, ensuring that we could effortlessly charge our devices and stay connected.

Long desk in hotel room — Large Desk and Coffee Corner

Positioned right above the desk, a large high-definition TV was mounted on the wall, providing us with endless entertainment options. With a diverse selection of cable channels at our fingertips, Candy particularly enjoyed tuning into her favorite shows on Comedy Central or catching up on the latest local news updates.

An open closet next to the bed was where we hung our coats, a cozy nook that kept them readily accessible. Just below, nestled in the drawers, we discovered a clothing steamer and a hair blow dryer.

Appliances in a drawer — Clothing Steamer and Hair Dryer

BATHROOM

The bathroom was spacious, giving us ample room to move around and enjoy our morning routine without feeling cramped. However, upon our arrival, we noticed a slight inconvenience - the sink was leaking, resulting in huge puddles of water scattered all over the countertop.

Concerned about the situation, we decided to inform the front desk right away. To our relief, they were extremely responsive and took immediate action to address the issue. The next day, the sink was repaired while we were out enjoying the city.

A bright hotel room bathroom — Spacious bathroom

There wasn't enough empty space on the bathroom counter to accommodate both of our toiletries, so we utilized the space right underneath. We appreciated the addition of the illuminated mirror, as the lights added a touch of glamour to our morning routine, making the task of applying our makeup an absolute breeze.

Basic toiletries like liquid hand soap, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and body soap were provided in large reusable bottles. This eco-friendly approach not only offered convenience for guests but also reduced single-use plastic waste.

A bright round wall mirror — Gorgeous Vanity and Illuminated Mirror

Black bottle of Body Lotion — Hand Wash and Lotion

The shower was spacious and provided ample supply of hot water. Despite the water pressure being average, we appreciated the convenient handheld rain shower combo.

I don’t think I’ve ever commented on a toilet paper holder before, but it was in serious need of repair. It was falling apart, and this posed a slight inconvenience during our stay. Every time we tried to pull toilet paper from it, the holder would give way, causing the paper to roll off onto the floor. Needless to say, we had to be extra careful while using it. The deteriorating state of the holder had actually caused cracks in the wall.

Handheld shower head — Handheld Shower and Bathroom Amenities

FEATURED AMENITIES ON-SITE

Trúnó

On our first night in, we decided to have a light bite at the in-house restaurant, Trúnó, on the first floor. The restaurant boasted a cozy atmosphere and a menu filled with a variety of classic American dishes that seemed promising.

Sitting at the hotel bar counter — Dining at the Bar

Truno Classic Caesar Salad — Classic Caesar Salad

We opted to share a Pepperoni Flatbread and a Classic Caesar Salad. While the presentation was certainly appetizing, we were slightly disappointed by the taste as it fell short of our expectations.

Truno Pepperoni Flatbread — Pepperoni Flatbread

Boutique Shop

There was a charming little boutique shop conveniently situated right next to the check-in counter. The DC-themed shop is adorned with a kaleidoscope of souvenirs from SHOP MADE IN DC which is a retail incubator dedicated to only Made in DC products.

Purchases support the growth of DC’s artists and makers. Candy ended up purchasing a couple of magnets adorned with witty and inspiring quotes from the iconic duo, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Board filled with magnets — Assortment of Magnets

Canopy Bike Rentals

We wanted to utilize the complimentary bike rental since we knew that cycling was not only a convenient way to get around the city but also an enjoyable activity.

However, upon checking with the front desk, we discovered that there was only one bike available for guests since the other two were not working. Luckily, just around the corner from our hotel, there was a fleet of Lime bicycles parked on the sidewalk.

Hilton Canopy Front Desk — Front Desk at Hilton Canopy

Riding Lime in Washington DC — Cycling during Rush Hour

We rented a couple of Lime bicycles one evening during rush hour when booking an Uber seemed almost impossible due to the high demand. Although it was a little intimidating at first, we had a fantastic time riding through the streets of DC.

PET-FRIENDLINESS

The pet fee is $75 per stay, which is a fairly reasonable price for bringing your furry friend along. However, it's important to note that the hotel does not provide any dog bowls or a dog bed, so it's essential to remember to pack those items yourself.

A corgi walking on grass — Grass for Kuma

While the hotel may not have a dedicated pet relief area on-site, we were pleased to find that there was a convenient alternative just across the street. There were a few areas with patches of grass, perfect for Kuma’s bathroom breaks.

LOCATION

From the iconic monuments to the vibrant neighborhoods, everything was just a short distance away during our visit. We marveled at the grandeur of the National Mall and immersed ourselves in the captivating collections at the Smithsonian Museums—all conveniently located within a couple of miles.

Sitting at Lady Bird Rooftop Bar — Rooftop Dinner at **Lady Bird**

We were also within walking distance of an abundant array of charming cafes, restaurants, and even fast-food establishments. We really enjoyed our fresh sandwiches from Tatte Bakery & Cafe and dessert from an authentic French pâtisserie called Un Je Ne Sais Quoi.

A plate with French desserts — Desserts at Un Je Ne Sais Quoi

FINAL THOUGHTS

We loved the convenience of our location and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Our first impression started out a little rocky, but everyone else we encountered afterward was super friendly and helpful.