Amidst the hustle and bustle of Dupont Circle, the Lyle Washington D.C. serves as a serene respite. The elegant 196-room property—the second independent hotel concept from the Lore Group—first opened its doors to the D.C. community in 2021, and hasn’t looked back since.
Located on New Hampshire Avenue in what was once an apartment complex, the 1940s Art Deco building that the hotel now occupies is a stylish yet understated escape from the pretense of its surroundings. Indeed, staying at the Lyle feels a bit like staying at your friend’s trendy apartment building rather than a high-end hotel – and we mean that in the best of ways.
The residential feel of the hotel begins with its location on a tree-lined block, surrounded by townhomes and apartments. The Lyle’s simple facade is accentuated only by a series of flags announcing the hotel’s presence. Enter the building, and an expansive, light-filled lobby feels much like the concierge desk of one of D.C.’s luxury living complexes; geometric tiling in neutral, earthy tones leads up to a check-in desk ready to welcome guests to their home away from home.
The same neutral, calming color palette persists in thoughtfully designed guestrooms. Burl wood art deco headboards, rattan seating, and Berber carpets create a relaxed, approachable feel, while handmade tiles in the bathroom and D.S. Durga amenities add a touch of luxury. We also love the modern artwork throughout rooms, and it’s worth noting that the mattresses at this hotel are particularly comfortable.
For folks looking for a longer stay in the nation’s capital, the Lyle is a natural choice, with the inclusion of a kitchenette in nearly 60 rooms throughout the property. These deluxe rooms (all over 320 square feet) not only offer a more spacious living area but also come with the necessary accouterment to prepare and serve your own meals en-suite, a real bonus when away on a longer business trip (or even lengthier staycation).
Of course, if you’d rather explore the hotel for your meals, the eponymous dining room, Lyle’s, serves as both the on-property restaurant and bar. Not only is the space a winner in terms of design (we can’t get enough of the wood-paneled walls and the geometric white booths), but the open kitchen produces some truly spectacular food. A hit amongst both locals and visitors, Lyle’s offers a neighborhood restaurant feel that serves breakfast, brunch, and dinner, alongside a killer cocktail program (which you can especially enjoy during weekday happy hour). The menu, which changes seasonally, serves contemporary American cuisine highlighting local ingredients.
On the lower level of the hotel, you’ll find the 24-hour gym, though given the Lyle’s central location to some of D.C.’s best sites and sights, you’ll likely get more than your fair share of activity by walking or biking around the hotel. For folks who have chosen to drive to the hotel, a Tesla charging station can be found at the hotel, and for our pet parents, four-legged friends are welcome at the hotel as well.
So whether you’re in for a long weekend or just a long week, the Lyle is the perfect place to call your home away from home in every sense of the word.
Top Takeaways
Location: Washington, D.C.
Rating: Five-Star
The Vibe: Your best friend’s stylish apartment, made all for yourself
Food and Drink: You could have every meal of the day at Lyle’s and not get bored; we love weekday happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m.
Amenities: fitness center; restaurant; bar; concierge; meeting spaces; EV charger
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: We love the Bar at Lyle’s with its stained glass Mondrian-inspired windows
5 Nearby Attractions: National Museum of American Jewish Military History (NMAJMH), Meridian Hill Park, President James Buchanan Memorial, The Magic Tree Box, Barbie Pond on Avenue Q
Any Personal Neighborhood Recs? Take a walk to Dupont Circle, just a few blocks south, and check out one of D.C.’s most popular bookstores, Kramers
Rooms: 196 rooms and suites
Pricing: Rooms start at $235/night
Closest Airport: Reagan National Airport
