Finding a place to crash in Washington, D.C., usually means choosing between two extremes: the stuffy, velvet-curtain hotels near the White House or the bland, cookie-cutter chains in Crystal City. But if you’ve spent any time looking for something with a bit more soul, you’ve probably stumbled across the Donovan Hotel DC. Or at least, you thought you did.
Things move fast in the District.
The building at 1155 14th Street NW has been through a bit of an identity crisis lately. Honestly, if you show up looking for a big sign that says "Donovan," you might be walking in circles for a while. It’s a classic D.C. story of rebranding, real estate shuffles, and the constant evolution of Thomas Circle.
What Actually Happened to the Donovan Hotel DC?
Let’s get the confusing part out of the way first. The Donovan Hotel DC isn't technically "The Donovan" anymore. It’s currently operating as Hotel Zena.
Why the change? It basically comes down to corporate shifting. The property was once part of the Kimpton family—which explains the high-design, moody vibe it was famous for—and then it transitioned over to Viceroy Hotel Group. When Viceroy took the reins, they didn’t just swap the stationery. They gutted the concept. They turned a dark, bachelor-pad aesthetic into a bold, feminist-forward art gallery of a hotel.
It was a risky move. The Donovan was known for its "Donovan House" days, featuring cocoon-like hanging chairs and a rooftop that felt like a secret club. It was moody. It was dark. It was, frankly, a bit masculine. Hotel Zena flipped the script entirely, celebrating female empowerment through massive art installations, including a pointillist portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg made of 20,000 hand-painted tampons. Yeah, it’s a lot different now.
But here is the thing: people still call it the Donovan. Old habits die hard in this city, and the building’s footprint remains one of the best spots for anyone wanting to stay near Logan Circle without feeling like they’re in a government dormitory.
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The Location: Why 14th Street Still Wins
Location is everything. If you stay at the old Donovan Hotel DC site, you are basically at the intersection of "Old Power" and "New D.C."
Walk five minutes south and you’re hitting the K Street lobbyists and the business hubs. Walk five minutes north and you’re in the heart of the 14th Street corridor, which is arguably the best food neighborhood in the city. You've got Le Diplomate—the bustling French brasserie where you’ll inevitably see a senator eating steak frites—and Pearl Dive Oyster Palace just a few blocks away.
Why Thomas Circle is Trickier Than It Looks
Thomas Circle itself is a bit of a chaotic swirl. It’s a massive traffic circle where 14th Street, M Street, Massachusetts Avenue, and Vermont Avenue all collide.
- Traffic Noise: If you're a light sleeper, ask for a room on the higher floors. The sound of D.C. sirens echoing off the glass buildings in the circle is no joke.
- Walkability: It's a solid 15-minute walk to the White House and maybe 20 to the National Mall. It’s doable, but you’ll probably want to grab a Capital Bikeshare or an Uber if it’s one of those humid D.C. July days where the air feels like warm soup.
- Safety: It’s a high-traffic area, so it’s generally safe, but like any major city hub, it gets a bit "gritty" late at night. Nothing unusual for a seasoned traveler, but worth noting.
The Design Shift: From Dark Teak to Radical Art
When it was the Donovan, the interior was all about mid-century modern luxury. Think dark woods, purple accents, and leather. It felt like a place where a spy might meet a source for a dirty martini.
Now? As Hotel Zena, the vibe is "provocative gallery."
The lobby is huge and open. There’s a massive mural of warrior women and a floor-to-ceiling installation of 12,000 protest buttons. It’s loud. It’s colorful. If you’re into the "Instagrammable" hotel trend, this is your Mecca. If you prefer the quiet, understated elegance of a Four Seasons, the current iteration of the Donovan might give you a bit of a headache.
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The rooms themselves kept some of the Donovan’s DNA. They are still relatively small—D.C. real estate is tight, after all—but the floor-to-ceiling windows make them feel bigger than they are. Many rooms look directly out onto the circle. It’s great for people-watching, though you might find yourself staring directly into an office building across the street if you don't pull the sheer curtains.
That Famous Rooftop: Is it Still Good?
One of the main reasons people searched for the Donovan Hotel DC for a decade was the rooftop pool. In a city where rooftops are high-stakes social battlegrounds, this one held its own.
Back in the day, it was called ADC (Above DC). Now, it’s Hedy’s Rooftop, named after Hedy Lamarr.
It’s still one of the few spots in the city where you can lounge by a pool with a cocktail while looking at the Washington Monument in the distance. But here is the catch: the pool is small. It’s more of a "dip your toes in while holding a drink" pool rather than a "lap swimming" pool. On a Saturday in June, it is packed. If you aren't staying at the hotel, getting a cabana is basically an Olympic sport.
The cocktails are pricey. You’re looking at $18 to $22 for a specialty drink. Is it worth it? For the view and the breeze on a swampy D.C. night, honestly, yeah.
The Reality of Staying Here in 2026
If you’re booking a trip today, you need to manage your expectations regarding service. Like many boutique hotels in the post-2020 era, staffing can be hit or miss.
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The hotel positions itself as a luxury lifestyle brand, but the service often feels more casual. You might not get a bellman sprinting to grab your bags. The front desk staff are usually young, hip, and friendly, but the vibe is "cool friend" rather than "formal concierge."
A Note on the "Resort Fee"
D.C. hotels have started leaning heavily into these annoying daily "amenity fees." At the former Donovan site, expect to pay around $25–$35 per night extra. They’ll tell you it covers the Wi-Fi, the gym, and maybe a morning coffee station, but we all know it’s just a way to keep the base room rate looking lower on Expedia. Factor that into your budget so you aren't annoyed at checkout.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Stay
Staying at the former Donovan Hotel DC (Zena) means you are perfectly positioned to see the "real" D.C. beyond the marble monuments.
Don't spend all your time in the hotel bar. Walk three blocks east to Logan Circle. It’s the only residential circle left in the city with its original Victorian architecture intact. Grab a coffee at Blue Bottle or a sandwich at Compliments Only and sit in the park. It’s the best place to see the city’s dogs and local characters.
If you’re into jazz, you’re a 10-minute walk from Blues Alley or the clubs on U Street. This area was the "Black Broadway" of the mid-20th century, and that history is still palpable if you know where to look.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you’re ready to book or are currently planning your itinerary, here is the move:
- Check the Name: When searching for rates, search for Hotel Zena, not Donovan Hotel. You’ll find better deals and more accurate room photos.
- Request a High Floor: Thomas Circle is loud. If you’re on floor 4, you’re going to hear every bus and honking horn. Aim for floor 9 or above.
- Skip the Hotel Breakfast: You’re in a food mecca. Walk to A Baked Joint for some of the best bread and breakfast sandwiches in the city. It’s about a 10-minute walk and much better than a $30 hotel buffet.
- The Rooftop Strategy: If you want a spot at the pool, go on a weekday. If you’re there on a weekend, get up there by 11:00 AM. By 2:00 PM, it’s standing room only.
- Transportation: Don't rent a car. Parking at the hotel will cost you $50+ a night. Use the Metro (McPherson Sq and Farragut North are close) or just use the plentiful scooters scattered on every corner.
The Donovan Hotel DC might have changed its name and its skin, but the soul of the location remains. It’s still the best place to sit on a roof, look out over the capital of the free world, and feel like you’re exactly where the action is. Just don't forget your sunglasses; that rooftop reflection off the surrounding glass buildings is blinding.