I wasn’t sure I’d feel at home at a ‘female empowerment hotel’ – but Hotel Zena (1) gave me a suite as a status upgrade, and (2) has a portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg that’s just awesome. So it turned out to be a great stay.
Hotel Zena is part of Viceroy Hotels and participates in GHA Discovery. It’s located on Thomas Circle between downtown and the 14th street corridor in D.C. It’s positioned as part hotel, part hotel, part art gallery with a permanent collection of female empowerment works.
I was only there for a night. I arrived to a line four or five people deep to check in and only one person helping out at the desk. Another staffer came out, and we were cleared through in a reasonable amount of time – but it’s never great to stand in a queue when you show up at a hotel after a flight.
There’s a lobby bar and lounge, and a seasonal rooftop pool and lounge. The hotel charges a mandatory amenities (scam) fee of $35+tax per night ostensibly covering wifi; pool access (when it’s open); gym; in‑room coffee, tea, and bottled water; and local calls.
Parking on-property is valet only at $59 per night. They allow up to two dogs (50 pounds each) for a $50 per stay fee.
Generally people like the front desk staff (friendly, welcoming, helpful), and overall design and vibe. The art is certainly memorable.
I checked in, and it was almost like they hadn’t seen someone with GHA Discovery status before. They did something of a double take? I had been pre-blocked into a suite due to status.
I much liked the suite. The view was fantastic as well.
The property is walkable to downtown sights for tourists and to 14th street dining venues. It’s not bad for the convention center, either. However, the pool is small and gets crowded. I’ve seen them sell pool passes via ResortPass.
There is something deeply ironic about a female empowerment hotel upgrading me to a suite based on status.
Looks like a nice hotel, but I’m not sure what to think about this.
Do they have a ‘Male Empowerment’ location?
Do they have pictures of Jeannette Rankin, Elizabeth Dole, Phyllis Schlafly, and Sandra Day O’Connor, or is it just liberal women?
Hotel won’t hire an extra person to help with check ins and then scams you for “resort fees.” But that’s ok it has pictures of liberal women. There’s a sucker born every minute.
Now this looks like something Mike Hunt would love!
This looks like a tamed-down Aloft.
Nothing in your suite matches. Blacks, browns, creams, etc. The furniture looks very cheap. It’s like they grabbed leftover furniture from a furniture liquidator.
That aside, I don’t understand why the owner thinks it’s good business to be so overtly political in the theme and public space art. Even the Trump hotels aren’t like this.
@1900 hasn’t replied yet because he is so overwhelmed at the thought of this liberal oasis
The mural of Justice Ginsburg is epic.
It’s certainly a curious idea for a hotel.
I have some questions about the sketches.
1. Who is the man with the beard? (Top, middle).
2. Is that Bari Weiss on the panel furthest to the right? (Uh oh.)
3. I couldn’t find Michelle Obama, Gloria Steinem (maybe she had her glasses off), or Betty Friedan.
RGB is the reason that the Supreme Court has turned the way it has. If she had retired when a person with a similar political bent could have replaced her, the court would be 5 to 4 and have more decisions go a different way. Guess who appreciates her ego.
“MY BODY WAS NOT MADE FOR YOUR LEGISLATION” is a curious phrase. Before legislation, many parts of society made women second class citizens. Legislation over time changed a lot of them. All legislation was not for the better but at least some of it was.
Does the place smell like fish?
@Retired Gambler — You’re about 90 years early. Naw, this is a bit cringe, even for me, folks… but, you do you, Gary. Teehee.