The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel Rating: 3.5 Pearls

Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., United States

Guests lounging in the stylish lobby

With bellhops in snazzy fedoras, a seasonal rooftop pool that stays open after dark, a lobby with eye-popping six-foot murals of path-making political icons like Martin Luther King and Margaret Thatcher, and a destination restaurant helmed by Oprah's former personal chef -- the Liaison (along with the Hotel George) brings some swank to sleepy Capitol Hill. Opened in October 2008, this sleek Affinia property may be a bit too big to be considered a "boutique hotel" (343 guest rooms) but its personalized service and designer flourishes work to keep it feeling a bit more intimate than a hotel like the Hyatt Regency (across the street).

But as an Affinia hotel, an established hotel group with just a few other properties in the U.S. (including five hotels in New York City), it comes with some well-practiced comforts. Notably, the "My Affinia" program, which lets you create a profile of preferences prior to your stay, comes with some great freebies like contact lens solution, a universal charger, a fitness kit with a yoga mat, ankle weights, and exercise DVDs, plus an extensive pillow menu that includes, among others, a "sound pillow" with built-in speakers and an iPod hookup.

Overall, the Liaison is a great hotel -- as is the Hotel George, just around the corner. Each has its trade-offs -- you get a free nightly wine reception at the Hotel George, but you won't get the My Affinia freebies and the indoor pool -- but both are solid options and it might be worth just booking whichever happens to be cheaper. And both hotels best the Washington Court, one block away, at least when it comes to on-site features and the overall wow factor.

The Affinia brand allows guests to personalize their stay -- whether you want a specialty pillow, a yoga mat, bithday cupcakes, or a bottle of champagne chilling in the room. The hotel is happy to take a guest's requests before -- via the My Affinia website -- or in person, once you settle into the room.

• Concierge availble from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., daily
• No turndown service
• Room service from 6:30 a.m. to midnight
• Poolside food and drinks from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., when the pool is open during warmer months
• In-room spa treatments available, including mani-pedis; message treatments include a hot stone message (50 minutes for $180)
• "Experience Kits" include such things as a Walking Tour Kit, which includes a preloaded iPod of walking tours and workout playlists and an assortment of guidebooks.
• Valet parking is pricey and more expensive than at most other hotels in D.C.

View on a Larger Map

The Liaison is in Capitol Hill, an area filled mostly with drab 1970s-style office buildings. It's on the low-lying Judiciary Square section, which means it's surrounded by federal and county courthouses, law offices and the campus of the Georgetown Law School. Though this older part of the city has fallen on some hard times in the past, it is now reviving -- best evidenced by the Hotel George's own hip restaurant and bar scene and that at the new Liaison Hotel. Yet, traces of its dicey past linger, like a liquor store on the block and the John L. Young Shelter for the Homeless across the street, and there's scarce nightlife and entertainment in the neighborhood immediately surrounding the hotel. But its location does have its advantages -- namely, it's a quick walk to the National Mall, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, the White House, and other Capitol Hill sites. Plus, you don't have to venture far to see the U.S. Capitol Building -- just step out of the hotel onto treelined New Jersey Avenue, and look left.

• Two blocks from Union Station, D.C.'s main train station serviced by Amtrak, the Washington Metro's buses and subways, and commuter railroads
• Five-minute walk to the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the Library of Congress
• 10-minute walk to the National Gallery of Art, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the start of many other museums and monuments along the National Mall
• 15-minute walk to the White House
• Hotel staff can call or hail a taxi any time, day or night.
• $25 taxi ride from Reagan National Airport
• $50 to $70 taxi ride from Dulles International Airport

The One King Bed Superior Room

Rooms at the Liaison Capitol Hill are on the small side -- from 230 to 280 square feet -- but are comfortable nonetheless, in part because they feature luxurious signature Affinia beds, up-to-date technology, and modern furniture including a desk and bureau with images of former U.S. presidents. But unlike the Hotel George (and most other upscale hotels in Washington) there are just two room types available, Deluxe and Superior (management says it plans to add some suites in the future).

• Smaller rooms than at most other upscale hotels in Washington -- Deluxe Rooms (230 square feet) have two double-size beds; Superior Rooms (280 square feet) have one king-size bed
• Great beds -- mohair-accented headboards; Egyptian cotton-blend sheets; lightweight down comforter
• Pillow menu -- choices include buckwheat, down, hypoallergenic, magnetic therapy, "sound" (with built-in speakers and an iPod hookup), and Swedish memory foam
• Large, 37-inch, flat-screen HDTV offers cable, HBO, and movies on demand
• Alarm clock with an iPod connection
• Small bathrooms have full-size bathtub/shower combos.
• Gilchrist & Soames Sprout Out toiletries
• Electronic safe, large enough for a laptop
• No mini-fridge (or minibar)
• Fee for in-room Wi-Fi

Small but serviceable 24-hour fitness center

From its well-equipped fitness center, to its Mac computers in the business center, to its well-furnished rooftop pool deck, the Liaison Capitol Hill bests the features at the nearby Hotel George and the Washington Court Hotel. Unfortunately, the pool was closed during my visit, so the photos don't make it look as attractive as it did during the summer, but our D.C. sources say that the pool is one of the best in the city. It has plenty of comfy lounge chairs and poolside food and drink services from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

• Small but serviceable 24-hour fitness center -- three treadmills, two elliptical machines, and two stationary bikes, plus an assortment of free weights and Nautilus equipment.
• 24-hour business center with two Mac desktops and a printer; given the size of the hotel, however, this small business center can be crowded at times.
• Large, 1,100-square-foot seasonal rooftop pool (open from end of June to beginning of September); Occassionally, the pool is restricted to adults (21+).
• Free Wi-Fi in the lobby; fee for in-room wireless

Seasonal rooftop pool opens during the summer

The prime family-friendly feature of the Liaison is its impressive rooftop pool, open in the warmer months, which dedicates part of each Sunday to "family time." However, the pool can be restricted to adults (21+) during weekly parties. And, given the small guest rooms, this might not be an ideal pick for families. For better options, check out our list of the best kid-friendly hotels.

• Small standard rooms and bathrooms; rooms with two double-size beds are only 230 square feet
• No suites available
• Free cribs, but no rollaway beds
• Kids' menu at Art and Soul includes burgers and fries, mac and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs
• Seasonal rooftop pool, open from the end of June to beginning of September
• Short walk from the U.S. Capitol Building and several museums

This relatively new property has no trouble keeping up appearances.

"Hoe cakes" at Art and Soul Restaurant

Though the immediate neighborhood lacks a wide variety of dining, the Liaison has done its best to remedy the problem with its own spotlight eatery, Art and Soul by the James-Beard-Award-winning-chef Art Smith (perhaps better known as Oprah's former personal chef). Smith puts a modern spin on classic soul food, like pecan-crusted chicken and maple glazed veal chops with chestnut puree and caramelized brussel sprouts (entrees range from $18 to $34). "Hoe cakes" -- a cornmeal flatbread traditionally served after a hard day's work -- is a house favorite that can come topped with everything from fried oysters to caramelized apples and blue cheese.

• Art and Soul serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch; open 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. (or until 9 p.m. on Sundays).
• Room service (from Art and Soul) from 6:30 a.m. to midnight
• Poolside menu (when the pool is open) from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Other nearby restaurants include: Johnny's Half Shell (seafood favorite); The Dubliner (Irish pub); Capitol City Brewing Company (attached to the National Postal Museum); Bistro Bis, a contemporary French bistro at Hotel George.
• For something quick and cheap, try the food court at Union Station, two blocks away.

The Affinia hotel brand is known for pet-friendliness, which they call their "Jet Set Pet Program." If a guest calls or emails the Liaison before arriving to say that Fido is hitting the Capitol, the hotel will provide welcome treats and a welcome walk.

• Dogs and cats both welcome
• No fees
• No size restrictions
• Pooch Patio gourmet menu for Art and Soul includes the "Hungry Dawg" (a 6-ounce steak) and Puppy Cakes.
• Free D.C.-themed chew toy and travel bowl, plus free treats
• Pet beds available
• Hotel can arrange for dog walking/sitting, grooming, day care, and boarding, as well as training.
• Pet psychic available upon request (for an extra fee)