Morrison House
The 45-room Alexandria pet-friendly boutique lifestyle hotel, housed in a Federalist mansion in the heart of Old Town just a block from King Street, reopened its doors on Oct. 1. The Study, the hotel’s literary-themed signature restaurant, has suspended regular operations. However, they are now offering a grab-and-go breakfast option every morning as well as a complementary “Study Hall” wine hour from 5pm-6pm every evening. // 116 South Alfred St., Alexandria
Dupont Circle Hotel
After a multi-million dollar transformation, the luxury property that’s part of The Doyle Collection, an Irish hotel group with a 60-year heritage, reopened its doors on Oct. 16. The renovation includes a new lobby and nine-floor penthouse suite from minimalist Irish designer Clodagh and dining concepts reimagined by Martin Brudnizki. The brass, leather and wood paneling accents of the Doyle Bar are the perfect backdrop for sipping an Irish whiskey or barrel-aged Manhattan while enjoying duck confit steamed buns, tuna tostadas and seared scallops with sunchoke puree; Pembroke Restaurant serves up classics like Dover Sole as well as globally-inspired cuisine; and Doyle & Co offers coffees, pressed juices and pastries to grab and go. // 1500 New Hampshire Ave. NW
AC Washington D.C. Convention Center
The new location of the AC brand by Marriott opened Oct. 5, bringing a European-inspired travel experience to the capital region. Situated in the Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood near the convention center, CityCenterDC and the Capital One Arena, the property boasts 234 sleek rooms on 13 stories, with floor-to-ceiling windows and city views. There is a tech-forward AC Media Lounge workspace, AC Library and 24-hour fitness center as well as other signature AC brand spaces. Overseen by chef Gene Sohn, AC Kitchen offers a European-style breakfast and is a welcome respite for work or socializing the rest of the day, while AC Lounge serves Spanish tapas and Gin & Tonics. // 601 K St. NW
YOTEL Washington D.C.
Formerly the Liaison Capitol Hill, this hotel has been rebranded into a YOTEL property, which is popular among tech-savvy travelers. As one of the only hotels in the area to have finished construction during Covid-19, the YOTEL brings its high-tech and low-touch guest experience through their #SmartStay program, including Mission Control check-in kiosks. One hundred thirty-six Premium King cabins and 241 First Class cabins are joined by more than 21,000-square-feet of meeting and event space. A revamped Art & Soul restaurant offers a range of food and beverage options throughout the day and evening, which can be ordered in your room for pickup in the restaurant; next spring, a 250-person rooftop bar and pool will debut as Deck 11. // 415 New Jersey Ave. NW
The Ivy Hotel
The ultra-luxe Baltimore property (picture above) housed in a 19th-century mansion in the Mount Vernon neighborhood–Maryland’s only Relais & Châteaux property–reopened its doors on Oct. 1 with comprehensive safety protocols. In addition to welcoming guests back to its 18 well-appointed rooms and suites, bar and spa, the hotel’s former fine-dining restaurant Magdelena has been reinvented as Magdalena, a Maryland Bistro, which explores local cuisine in a fun and more accessible way. Menu highlights include mock turtle soup 2020, Southern Maryland ham, sauteed foie gras and an On the Half Shell Martini. // 205 East Biddle St., Baltimore
For more news like this, subscribe to our Travel newsletter.