For my hubby’s 50th birthday, I was going to take him away, without the children, in order that we will relax and enjoy the vacation. I thought about Cape May, NJ for its fantastic dining places although almost all just allow 2 night stays on weekends. Since we only wished to be away for 1 night, we considered NYC however we spent a lot of time there that it didn’t sense unique. Additionally, in NYC we will always feel hurried and the city is usually crowded in weekends in Summer. We selected Washington, DC at last. I booked the Motel Palomar according to its site, the reviews upon Tripadvisor and the point that it have an outside swimming pool with club service and then we would just relax…no running around to the places on the vacation.
We came on Saturday and the reception mobbed with guests. After waiting a long time, we were greeted by a friendly, competent lady who got us a wonderful room looking over the swimming pool. We were quite thankful for this after we asking why the spot was so frenetic. She told us that the Gay/Lesbian Pride Celebration would be be holding later in the day and lots of of people in the celebration and the activities during the entire weekend will check in too. The guests who have been checking in were mainly families with kids however I can’t describe how noisy the reception was. I told her that it was my hubby’s 50th birthday and it was obvious to me that she was trying to find us the most intimate, most quiet room possible.
She did it. The room was large with fashionable, comfortable funiture and every possible comfort. The bed was pretty and the leopard throw added a modern, attractive touch. My hubby liked this room.
We went across the street for lunch before the celebration begun. After lunch we lounged by the swimming pool. There were many nicely behaved children enjoying the swimming pool with parents looking on. It was tranquil and just what we wanted to relax from our busy daily lives with 3 kids.
We returned our room to wash up for supper. Before supper, we went to the reception to take a glass of wine. The celebration had started and it was very disorder in the lobby. Everyone wanted to watch the celebration while drinking their wine. It was crowded and not what I thought. We looked at the celebration. Much of it was fairly sincere of the cause of gay legal rights, other parts of the celebration were really weird with a lots of skin showing on some larger than life figures. It was, finally, a cultural experience. It have my hubby’s brain off of the fact that he was just 50 years old. It was not the atmosphere I expected in celebrating his 50th birthday but it was cool.
My sis called the hotel to buy sparkling wine to our room for my hubby’s big event. She was so amazed that the hotel rejected to charge her for the wine. The staff thanked her for telling info about his 50th birthday and they told her that they regarded it as an honor to share this day with him by giving free wine. To the hotel’s credit, we never would have known that my sis did not pay money for the wine, since they delivered it with a card from my sis and her hubby. The hotel never talked about that it was free.
We have supper at Ezme Restaurant and Wine Bar just down the street. It was fantastic! We appreciated the chef’s tasting menu with wine pairings. The Turkish food was scrumptious and the service, perfect. The atmosphere of the restaurant is city, stylish, however comfortable. How fortuitous that the waiter’s birthday is the same day! We’ll be back!
I wanted to stroll down to the water fountain in Dupont Circle and to take pleasure in a cup of coffee at Kramer Books and Later on…a spot I liked when I stayed in DC. People were almost everywhere, no chairs might be found and it was noisy. Alternatively, we came to Kramer Books where it was too crowded to find a seat. As an alternative we looked at the excellent political satire books, bought one for our 15 year old son and went back to our hotel to enjoy the rest of the wine.
The following day, the hotel provided coffee at the lobby that was enjoyable. There was no disorder, only coffee and low voice conversation.
It is really an outstanding hotel. Regrettably, the quiet, luxury we wished to enjoy was overshadowed by the celebrations in the region. This is, obviously, not the responsibility of the hotel. We wish to go back this hotel once more if the region is less noisy and more like the Dupont Circle I know and adore!
Before we checked out go back home, we strolled to a now quiet Dupont Circle for lunch. On the way we spied the farmer’s marketplace! We purchased some fresh potatoes, lovely green beans and white and red turnips for the dinner that night. A fantastic treat in the busy city.
Eating at fresco was the best way to spend a Weekend morning.
My hubby said he had a terrific time. It was a thrilling time but was not nearly as relaxing as I had thought. I should have checked the celebration schedules before I book in DC, at least, I should ensure the celebration will not pass by the hotel!
