This is my first Kimpton hotel stay on a business trip to DC. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this hotel for business travellers who needs to use the Internet as the connection in the room is very slow (although free). The gym was disappointing, it only had 3 machines and the AC was not even working. My double bed room is much smaller than I had expected (I had come from NYC). My bathroom comes with a shower rather than a bath tub, which I was not very excited about. The service I received was subpar to all the great reviews I read here. On separate occasions, the trash in my room and the wine glass from the bubbly hour weren't even removed! The minibar also didn't come with a key and I had to call to ask for one.

However, I do like the location of the hotel. It is within walking distance of the Metro, downtown, White House and other tourist spots. Whole Foods, Starbucks, CVS are just around the corner.

This is a non-traditional hotel. The room decor and furniture are very colorful and unique. The coolest feature in the room for me was the dispensers for lotion, soap, shampoo etc. which was very convenient (although the lotion was way too watery).

If you're looking for a unique little spot in a residential neighborhood, with friendly accommodating staff, I'd recommend this hotel without hesitation.

We were attending a conference at the DC Convention Center and the Helix offered a discount rate for conference attendees. When I called to confirm our reservation (which I'm glad I did and I recommend doing if you reserve through the convention center's housing bureau because they had some details very wrong), I confess to being a little put-off by the recorded phone greeting -- try it and see what I mean -- but we kept the reservation and we're quite glad we did.

Although less posh than other Kimpton hotels I've stayed at before, the rooms were comfortable, colorful, and very off-beat (see attached photos) -- and the staff could not have been more friendly. Everyone from the housekeeper who introduced herself to me in the hall and asked if everything was OK in our room to the lobby staff (it's hard to use the words front desk because they stand behind small platforms) who greeted us with a "welcome back" every time we walked through the entranceway's sliding curtains was professional and friendly and could not have been more accommodating (Late check out? No problem; You want to take everything out of the minibar and use it as a refrigerator? No problem; Directions anywhere? No problem; Want to enjoy your complimentary champagne up in the room instead of here in the lobby? Of course -- and don't worry about bringing the glass downstairs when you're finished; we'll get it later; Need your bill split in half with two receipts under different names? No problem; You just arrived back ten minutes after happy hour ended? No worries; Restaurant recommendations? What kind of food are you in the mood for?...). We liked the many eco-friendly practices of the hotel as well. The hotel is within walking distance of Dupont Circle, downtown, the Convention Center, the White House, and other tourist sites; within hiking distance of Adam's Morgan (1.3 miles); and about a 10-minute walk from the nearest metro stops. There's a 7-Eleven on the corner and Whole Foods Market a block away.

I would not hesitate to stay here again.

I recently stayed at the Hotel Helix May 23-27. I was greeted warmly by hotel staff upon entering the lobby and immediately checked in. I had indicated I preferred a room on a high floor and was put in a spacious room on the 10th floor of the hotel - the highest floor. 10 minutes after I got to my room, I received a call from the front desk to make sure my room was okay.

The room decor is very retro-funky...definitley not your run of the mill Marriott or Hilton. And that is exactly what is so cool about it. My bed was off in a cove by itself, with curtains to pull all the way around. The room was very large, especially for DC and I had received a great rate on the hotel website. The room was very clean and all hotel staff were very friendly. I enjoyed the nightly 'Bubbly Hour', where they serve wine/champagne/beer in the lobby each evening from 5-6pm.

The location was walkable from both the McPherson Square metro (Blue Line) or Dupont Circle (Red Line), but taxis were plenty as well. It was in a very nice neighborhood...residential and other hotels and I never felt unsafe.

I really enjoyed my stay at the Helix. It is not an uber-luxury hotel, but I enjoyed the leopard robes, blankets and other amenities. It was funky and I felt well-maintained. I would definitely stay here again and/or recommend it to friends. The lounge is supposed to have a great happy hour as well, but I was not able to make it in the evenings. They also have an outdoor patio with cool little cabanas.

Got the Helix via priceline over memorial day weekend 2008 for $70 a night. That got us two beds overlooking the patio. Room was nice and clean but AC didnt work very well. In any event, the Helix is a cool little place to stay, very different, which in my opinion is good. There is free "bubbly hour" every day from 5-6 where you can have chamagne and rolling rock. The lounge and patio are cool but frequented by a lot of the "yuppie" type which is not my scene. On the last day we were there, Sunday, the suits had cleared out and we had the place to ourselves to hang out. The staff is awesome, very friendly and helpful. The hotel manager, Nabil, is a great guy and really made us feel welcome. Overall the place was great. Popeye's Chicken around the corner is recommended after a night of drinking, haha. Parking is $33 a night, so we parked on a city street bout 10-15 blocks away for free for the weekend.

G Man