The Darcy — Washington DC, USA

This hotel, previously a Double Tree by Hilton has been given a makeover by Los Angeles-based firm Beleco to reemerge as the The Darcy. There’s a strong masculine aesthetic throughout the public spaces – no surprise considering the designers were inspired by men’s tailoring and classic British private clubs – but there are plenty of quirky design moments, too; In the lobby, beautifully cross-stitched leather reception desks and a black-painted brick wall are juxtaposed by a gold sculpture of an American Beauty rose, DC’s official flower.
The guestrooms feature an overall brighter palette. Light greys and hunter greens provide a foundational colour scheme, with marigold curtains, rainbow artwork, area rugs emblazoned with oversized rose illustrations, and vibrant green tiles in the bathroom creating a playful atmosphere. The highlight is the Presidential Suite. Here, the Circuit chandelier by New York-based design studio Apparatus hangs over the marble dining room table and wicker-back Thonet chairs, while a turquoise leather console by American furniture company BDDW is dressed with two brutalist-inspired table lamps.
While The Darcy’s location just minutes from The White House means there’s plenty to see and do, the hotel’s robust calendar of programmes will tempt you to stay in – not least the nightly cocktail events courtesy of Element Shrub and gin brand Green Hat.
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
1515 Rhode Island Ave NW
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Goldwin 0’s first-ever performance wear is body-mapped to keep you cool
The ‘Performance Capsule’ from Goldwin 0 – an experimental offshoot of Japanese technical wear label Goldwin – draws inspiration from trail running for its meticulously tested sportswear, which uses experimental ventilation techniques to help you work out in the heat
-
Shop the gloriously mad inner workings of Gary Card’s brain in London’s Soho
Set designer and artist Gary Card has taken over London's Plaster Store – expect chaos and some really good accessories
-
Venerable British car-maker AC goes OTT with the high-output, low-slung AC GT SuperSport
Pitched at all-American fans of the original AC Cobra, the GT SuperSport is a fearsome two-seat roadster with more muscle than ever before
-
Los Angeles’ best bars for craft cocktails and A-list design
From glamorous old Hollywood haunts to trend-setting neighbourhood hangouts, these hotspots serve excellent drinks in an atmosphere unlike anywhere else
-
A local architect’s guide to Joshua Tree
Mirtilla Alliata di Montereale shares her favourite things to do to slow down, look closely, and discover Joshua Tree through a more intentional lens
-
Meet artist Michael McGregor, using hotel stationery as his canvas
Michael McGregor unveils an exclusive postcard set made with notepads from The Luxury Collection properties in Minneapolis, San Francisco and Savannah
-
Home is where Beethoven Market is – a joyful Italian restaurant in LA’s Mar Vista
In Mar Vista, a historic space is reborn as a modern-day gathering spot, an Italian-infused restaurant where rotisserie chicken, handmade pasta and tableside tiramisu welcome you like family
-
Aman New York unveils exclusive US Open-themed experience
Aman’s ‘Season of Champions’ pairs Grand Slam action with personalised recovery and performance treatments designed by Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova
-
Caribbean cool meets mid-century glamour at this new LA hotspot
From golden mirrored chambers to jerk-spiced tomahawk steaks, Lucia reimagines Afro-Caribbean dining and design
-
Classic New York restaurants for delicious food and inspired design
From Michelin-starred fine dining to reimagined retro diners, these are the most emblematic (and easy-on-the-eye) places to eat in the Big Apple
-
Inside Hotel Chelsea’s secret basement sushi restaurant
Teruko, a new Japanese restaurant and sushi bar in Hotel Chelsea, marks the final jewel in the hotel’s years-long transformation