Canopy The Wharf Review

Canopy by Hilton is by far one of the hotel brands we were most excited to stay at this year. And our stay at the Canopy the Wharf is our first of three Canopy by Hilton stays this year. Canopy by Hilton is Hilton's lifestyle brand, focusing on locally-inspired design, food and beverage offerings, environmentally friendly features, and large multi-use public spaces. And Canopy the Wharf, which opened earlier this year, is the first Canopy Hotel to open in the United States.

Canopy the Wharf

We stayed at the Canopy The Wharf for two nights in April. And we really enjoyed our first time at the Canopy by Hilton brand. The hotel was everything you would expect in a lifestyle boutique hotel. The newest Canopy hotel in Southwest Washington DC is part of the hot new waterfront development called The Wharf. The Wharf is a vibrant neighborhood full of restaurants and nightlife. And the location can't be beat. You are a 10 minute walk from the National Mall, plus The Wharf offers a free shuttle to the Mall that runs every 15 minutes.

Our Room

We booked a partial waterfront view suite. And the room was everything we expected from a Canopy by Hilton. The room had had floor to ceiling windows. And with lots of modern design elements, the room featured a barn door, one of the innovative Canopy hotel features. The barn door separates the bedroom from the dining and living area.

Canopy by Hilton rooms have a Canopy bed with gel memory foam and Serta Cool Balance® Technology. The bedroom featured plenty of modern design elements and the bed was extremely comfortable.

The living area featured a small couch and several chairs along with a small dining table. And while the room was extremely comfortable, we loved the local decor. There were maps of the DC area used as wallpaper behind the huge flat screen television in both the living and bedrooms.

The bathroom had a large vanity and walk-in shower. Plus just off the bathroom was the Canopy "uncloset". That’s an open area with no door where you store your clothes. The uncloset has a great look and is a great concept, however it probably isn't as practical as it should be.

The Canopy by Hilton brand uses Apivita toiletries. This was our first time using the Apivita brand toiletries, but we really enjoyed the natural smells and scents like Green Honey & Mountain Tea shower gel and the Greek Honey & Orange shampoo.

Each room also has a Nespresso machine. And one of Canopy by Hilton's goals is to be ecological friendly. So you'll notice that there are no plastic water bottles. Instead, there are glass bottles which can be filled at water filling stations on each level of the hotel.

Dining

Canopy by Hilton hotels offer a free artisenal breakfast buffet to all guests. And the breakfast was delicious, local and fresh. The wood burning oven turns out flatbread egg pizzas for breakfast, along with a meat and cheese platter and several other rotating dishes. You'll also find smoothies, fruit-infused water, yogurt and coffee from a local roaster. Overall, the breakfast met and exceeded our needs and expectations.

And if you are in a hurry or prefer to eat in your room, you can get a bag filled with fruit, yogurt, and coffee delivered instead of going to the artisenal buffet.

If you need a quick bite for lunch or dinner, The Canopy Central Bistro and Bar serves small nibbles and bites and enticing beverages such as refreshing juices, wine, craft beers, and signature cocktails. We enjoyed a quick dinner at The Canopy Central Bistro and Bar one evening and had a delicious flatbread.

In addition to the Canopy Central area, the Canopy the Wharf also has a rooftop bar, Whiskey Charley. And it's worth a visit, even if just for the view. The bar and the outdoor patio have an incredible view of the entire Wharf Neighborhood plus you can see the United States Capital.

Amenities

The Canopy the Wharf sits along a stretch of waterfront biking paths. And the Canopy has a dozen bikes available on a first come, first served basis. A helmet and a lock is included.

And if you need more than a bike ride, the Canopy by Hilton shares a fairly large gym with the adjacent Hyatt House hotel.

Overall Impression

The Canopy by Hilton The Wharf is a luxurious, lifestyle oriented hotel. It's not stuffy, but it's also higher end than the neighboring Hyatt House. It has an upscale feel, the rooms were perfectly comfortable and the free artisenal breakfast was superb.

The Canopy the Wharf is located within walking to distance to many of the Washington D.C. attractions, but the Wharf neighborhood itself has plenty to offer.

Weekend Wanderings: Washington DC Guide

We spent a long 4th of July Holiday Weekend in Washington D.C. Not only is our nation's capital full of historical exhibits, museums and monuments, but Washington D.C. is a foodie's paradise with great restaurants and coffee shops. Here's our Weekend Wanderings, Washington DC Guide.

Where To Stay

Fairmont Georgetown: The Fairmont Georgetown Washington D.C. is located within close proximity to Georgetown, Dupont Circle and only about a ten block walk to The White House. And the luxury hotel is also located just a few blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro station. It's great location and luxurious rooms make it a great choice for your Washington. D.C. trip.

Fairmont Washington D.C.

Where To Eat

Le Diplomate: We can't even begin to describe how great Le Diplomate is for any meal, but particularly brunch. The French brasserie is a must on your Washington DC Itinerary. Zagat described it as "Maybe the “hottest address in town – after 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue of course”. Do yourself a favor. Their french toast is incredible.

Founding Farmers: Founding Farmers is a Co-op-owned American eatery that dishes out classic comfort cuisine. This place transplants you to your grandmother's dining room with dishes like meatloaf, chicken pot pie and of course cornbread.

FireFly: FireFly is located in the Kimpton Madera Hotel near Dupont Circle. The restaurant is built around a large indoor tree, serving seasonal, local, New American comfort food. It's a place you'll find the locals in Washington D.C dining at. The steak, asparagus and truffle fries were very tasty. And the atmosphere is very quaint yet comfortable. Plus they serve up some delicious cocktails.

Where To Get Coffee

Bourbon Coffee: Bourbon Coffee offers direct-trade coffee from Rwanda. Their espresso featuring coffee blends from Rwanda is delicious. Plus you can grab a delicious sandwich or pastry. Bourbon Coffee has several hip and relaxed cafes across the Washington D.C. area.

La Colombe: No matter what city we are in, if there is a La Colombe, it's always on our list. They roast up some of the best coffee not to mention their draft lattes are incredible. With four locations in the District, it's pretty easy to sneak this place on to your list.

Where To Go For Dessert

Sprinkles Cupcakes: It's not a secret. We love Sprinkles Cupcakes. And they have a Cupcake Bakery in Georgetown. If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and try one. Don't worry about the calories, it's vacation!

Baked & Wired: Baked & Wired is a family owned coffee shop and bakery in Georgetown. This place is always packed. Don't worry, it's worth the wait. The coffee is incredible and the baked goods are made in small batches with the finest ingredients.

What To Do

When you visit Washington D.C., places like the Smithsonian, Lincoln Memorial, National Archives, etc. should already be on your list. Here are a few additions we suggest adding to your Washington. D.C. Itinerary.

Newseum: The Newseum is a dynamic, engaging and interactive museum of news. The museum allows visitors to experience the stories of yesterday and today through the eyes of the media. All this while celebrating the freedoms guaranteed to all Americans by the First Amendment.  The museum offers incredible exhibits including a powerful wall showing the front page of hundreds of newspapers on the day after 9/11.

Arlington National Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery is the country’s largest military cemetery. It serves as the final resting place for more than 400,000 military veterans and their immediate family from the fronts of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as World Wars I and II, the Korean conflict, Vietnam, the Cold War and America’s Civil War. The cemetery is open to the public 365 days a year with free admission for those who wish to tour the site and pay their respects.

Arlington Cemetery is also home to the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, which is a tribute to unidentified fallen soldiers who fought in World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a large white sarcophagus that is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by Tomb Guard sentinels from the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment.

Holocaust Museum: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is another extremely powerful (and somber) place you should visit while in Washington D.C. The Museum is the United States' official memorial to the Holocaust. And the museum provides interactive exhibits showing how the Holocaust occurred, the lives it impacted and how the massacre finally ended.

Conclusion

Washington D.C. is not only our nation's capital, but it's a vibrant hub for culture, delicious food and of course great tasting coffee. If you haven't been to Washington D.C., it's a destination that should definitely be on your list. If you have any questions or need help making your Washington D.C. plans, be sure to let us know! Hopefully our Washington DC Guide helps!