Kimpton to Debut Newly Redesigned Mason & Rook Hotel in D.C.
by James Shillinglaw /Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has always had a major presence in our nation’s capital, with 14 hotels in the Washington, D.C., metro area. But now it’s completely revamping one of those properties, changing its name and hiring a new general manager to oversee it. It’s all part of a new wave of design for Kimpton, which is remodeling its image now that it’s owned by InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.
Mason & Rook, a Kimpton lifestyle property formerly known as the Helix, will officially debut in its new form at the end of March, with additional renovations set to be completed this summer. The initial renovation will feature completely redesigned and redecorated rooms. Also launching by the end of March will be a redesigned entrance and lobby area and a new restaurant and bar, Radiator, which will have patio seating as well.
The 178-room Mason & Rook Hotel will have some of the largest standard guestrooms (425 square feet) in D.C. as well as 18 suites. It also will feature more than 4,000 square feet of event space, including a newly constructed 1,700-square-foot ballroom.
The décor of the hotel will showcase high-end fabrics, refined millwork, textured finishes, and eclectic artwork aimed at delivering residential ambiance. Where the old Helix had bright colors and a playful design, the new Mason & Rook will feature light and dark woods, and muted carpets and furnishings.
This summer the hotel will unveil the Rooftop at Mason & Rook, a rooftop bar and pool area. The Rooftop is being promoted as a hidden retreat from the hotel’s surrounding 14th Street neighborhood, which has undergone its own renaissance over the past several years. The penthouse deck will have a swimming pool, chaises for pool-side lounging, a drinks menu, light fare, and views of the Washington skyline. The Rooftop also will be available for private events catered by Radiator.
The property’s new general manager, Donte Johnson, is a native Washingtonian who was previously general manager of the Kimpton Surfcomber in Miami’s South Beach. Johnson started his career with Kimpton in 2001, gaining experience in everything from revenue management to guest services. He has risen through the ranks to general manager positions at several Kimpton hotels, including Hotel Monaco and Topaz Hotel, also in Washington, D.C. He also spent time on the staff of the Helix, Mason & Rook’s predecessor.