Akwaaba DC

Good place to stay. Close to everything. Nice neighborhood to stay. Loved walking around the blocks, and enjoying the urban life of DC. Good places to eat nearby. Good customer service as well.

When we went to Brooklyn we stayed at Akwaaba and love it, being in an old brownstone in a block on Bedstuy was wonderful and the hospitality was great so we knew that we would be willing to try the DC location. We had no problems, we originally booked for two days, but decided to stay an extra day and changing our reservation for that day was easy. I like the handling of that part with the B&B booking site. We had a late check-​in and we let the housekeeper know that. The keeper for the weekend was so kind enough to stay late and wait for us to arrived even though she usually leaves for the day an hour before we were to arrive (they left us with instruction for arriving since we were coming late and would be checking in alone). So it was nice to see her there when we thought she would be gone, plus our arrival was even later than anticipated due to the car rental place. She was kind enough to be there and even had glasses of wine for us to enjoy when we came in.
We stayed in the Zora Neale Hurston room (I recommend staying in one of the two largest rooms for a nice experience). We picked this room based on space (it is one of largest room — the other is the Langston Hughes room). I am a fan of both authors, but decided on the Zora room since it was on the 2^nd floor and the Langston room was on the third. The rooms unlike the Brooklyn do come with tvs in them.
This is an old noisy house (wood floors that makes sound with each step) but the rooms are extremely good at keeping out sound from one to the next. We couldn’t hear when people went up and down the stairs. The stairs are pretty loud so it is amazing that we never heard any noises. This is an old house in a historic area so just like any old house it will have it cracks and things but for the most it is well kept.
If you want a 5 star top notch state of the art place, this isn’t for you. If you want a house with charm and makes you feel like your staying at your favorite family/​friends house that was built forever and has survived the years wonderfully, then you’ll like it.
The housekeeper and cleaning lady were both great and nice. We ate breakfast once or twice, I do think the housekeeper who was there could have been a little more aware of things. She would just assume everyone wanted coffee at breakfast, it would have been nice for her to ask before just pouring. The breakfast was okay, but I am not a big eater of what was served (you don’t really get to pick what is being served), I would have just preferred bagels, fresh cut fruit and eggs and other options versus a surprise of whatever the keeper want to cook. One breakfast was waffles and I don’t eat pancakes or waffles (not big on sugary stuff for breakfast). Housekeepers do change and share responsible and I think the one we had (Nani), was working for the summer and beside a few little idiosyncrasies she was pleasant so that is why I am keeping it at 5 stars.
The location is perfect, you are walking distance away from so much stuff right on U Street. We walked down there a few times to just get out and people watch, ate at Busboys and Poets, we also checked out Ben’s Chili Bowl. You are also close to the metro and the city bikes can be rented to get around town. We rented a car because we were planning on traveling to Maryland during the day. If you rent a car, I highly suggest paying for one of the parking spot in the back of the house as street are super narrow and parking is very few and hard to find. But if you are just staying in the DC area, skip the car and take the metro every where parking anywhere in DC is a challenge.
If you are curious about staying at a B&B for the first time, stay here and be sure to get one of the larger rooms. You’ll enjoy the experience.

The accomodations and food were decent, however customer service was lacking. Apparently you need a code upon arrival to get inside the door, but we didnt receive that and had to call to get it. This resulted in us getting eaten by mosquitos at the front door.
Do not order the champagne and strawberries. They charged us $ 70 for a $ 10 bottle of Korbel, bowl of whipped cream, and seven strawberries. Tremendous rip-​off. In additon, we had to remind the innkeeper that we reserved this feature. She had no idea.
Breakfast was rescheduled and we were not informed. We walked a mile to another restaurant instead. The innkeeper attempted to accomodate by offering us a bottle of wine and breakfast in bed the next morning.
Not only did we have a hard time getting in, we were swiftly rushed out of the room while the innkeeper waited at the door.
Bottom line– we felt as if our stay was disorganized and there was poor communication from the innkeeper.

To anyone wondering what Awkwaaba is, it means Welcome. This place is the coziest, most welcoming place we’ve ever stayed in. It’s in a historic building that’s located conveniently near everything, and every room is designed differently to fit everyone’s comfort. I took my mother here for her birthday to visit DC, and we stayed in the Walter Mosley room which was really spacious and ideal for family. There’s really not enough words to describe the details put into the whole experience.
The innkeeper, Nani, is what really what made the stay. She walks you through the whole place, informs you of everything you need to know, and she’s knowledgeable of the city, so she’s the best person to come to for advice. In the morning, she’d make a filing 2-​course breakfast for all the guests along with the best cup of coffee ever to begin your day, and a light snack with wine for happy hour. She was really pleasant to chat with, and you could tell she legitimately enjoyed meeting all the different people that stopped in Awkwaaba.
I’m extremely happy I found this place, and I recommend it to everyone. This place is impressively rated as #4 out of 33 on TripAdvisor, but it’s #1 to us and it deserves it.

I would like to start by saying that the location of this place is very good you can walk all over the place and there is public transportation as well as the DuPont Circle metro station is nearby. There are a lot of coffee shops and restaurants nearby. Monique the Innkeeper is nice and the breakfast offered with your stay is ok. The only reason I’m not giving this place 5 starts is because the room we reserved was not very good or comfortable. We paid $ 200./night and the room was to say the least mediocre and required a lot of attention to detail. Bathroom was very small work tiles missing at the base of the shower enclosure, towels dis colored and frayed, cheap wooden furniture. The dresser in the room was rickety and the shelves broken. Holes in the wall, etc. Pictures attached. I’m sure the other rooms were different according to the reviews but unfortunately ours left a lot to be desired. We will not return.

First, I want to say a sincere THANK YOU to all Akwaaba creative directors and residential staff. This is a wonderfully, whimsical idea executed to perfection. I stayed here for 3 days on Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend 2014 to celebrate my 25^th birthday and have every day since looked back on Akwaaba as one of the shining highlights of my life in the short amount of time I’ve spent on this earth. It has taken me a while to write/​post this review because it is hard to put such an excellent experience into words that do it justice! But I will try.
Akwaaba goes far beyond the familiar charm of a bed and breakfast. Stepping through their doors is like walking 80 years into the past. The romantic days of jazz clubs, boarding houses, and streetcars seem like yesterday. There is a unique rustic luxury very characteristic of days past. What really sets Awkwaaba DC apart though is the strong literary theme, the thought that goes into the littlest of details, and the implied history and heritage. I am very much into African American history and literature so it was quite appropriate that my fiancé arranged for us to stay in the Zora Neale Hurston suite (HIGHLY RECOMMEND) finely decorated in warm red, orange, and peach tones. And it was almost as if I could sense her presence/​approval of the place as if this suite had once served as her urban retreat. I felt like one of Zora’s short story heroines staying here and enjoyed every moment taking pictures on the chaise, relaxing in the HUGE plush bed, and sitting on the windowseat to look out at my city. But my favorite part of the room hands down had to be the luxurious bathtub! My fiancé set it up with bubbles, votive candles (the votives were supplied by Akwaaba), and glasses of wine. We put soft music on and set it by the handsome little table sitting conveniently next to the tub. It was probably one of the most romantic things I’ve ever seen – right out of a novel :) how fitting.
On our first day, Akwaaba helped my fiancé arrange for couples’ massages and a facial at a nearby spa that they have a working relationship (Paris Alexander) with. The spa will even come to Awkwaaba if you like. The Akwaaba staff made an excellent suggestion! The massage left me feeling lighter and relaxed. I have had massages before but the one at Paris Alexander far exceeded.
When we arrived back at our suite that day, we chatted with the resident innkeeper (Joann, I think was her name) who was extremely pleasant, engaging, and helpful. She gives residents her number while you’re staying and answers any and all inquries as best she can. They make sure that you can come and go as much you like even though the B&B looks to be just another private residence. There were also refreshments and drinks (peanuts, wine, water, cookies) set out for us in the early evening if we were interested. Joann is also the one who made us breakfast the next morning. Breakfast at Akwaaba is quite the affair. I wasn’t sure if people would really come but they did! And when they do, it is an opportunity to know the stories of the others staying in the house – just like an old boarding house. It is an opportunity to sit collectively around the table, talk, and learn as many people come and stay here from all over the world. While we were there was a couple from France, southern Virginia, and California. Sitting around the table together eating is old-​school but it brought me a lot of joy and interesting conversations. And it went on like this every morning we were there.
The first breakfast was frittata, the second was Banana Nut pancakes (my personal favorite), and I believe the 3^rd breakfast was flaky buttery biscuits. The 2^nd day we also had a different chef/​innkeeper (her name escapes me) but she was equally as pleasant and accomodating! All the breakfasts were good and Akwaaba will give as much as you like. They are not stingy at all. Each day we returned to the afternoon and evening snacks as well.
They provide some parking in the back also, although it may be extra but it was convenient for us not trying to find street parking in DC.
I walked away feeling like there wasn’t anything they hadn’t thought of. It is clear that they run this business with pride! It is black-​owned & operated which fills me with more pride to write such great things about it. Even though I didn’t go anywhere far, this staycation felt like a homey resort. I slept like an angel each night & resisted getting out of my very comfortable bed each morning. But then I remembered I had the community breakfast to look forward to! And even though there were so many people staying there, I think 8 others while I was there, I never heard a sound. It is also perfectly located to explore the city or to stay in – the choice is yours.
Akwaaba reigns queen as a truly unique retreat & I will gladly frequent any and all of their establishments from now on. I hope to visit them in the Poconos soon!

This review is really two reviews – one of the Akwaaba itself, and the other of its associated business partner, Bed and Breakfast Washington, which handles all of the bookings and payments for the Akwaaba.
Short story for TLDR: The Akwaaba is a lovely place to stay, but only book if you are 1000% sure that your plans (number of nights, or possibility of a trip cancellation) will not change one iota.
First, the good news. The Akwaaba is a charming, centrally located (about 6 blocks from Dupont Circle) bed and breakfast. Each room is named after, and decorated with information about, a prominent African American female author. So you get a little education with your visit! I stayed in the Zora Neale Hurston room, which is big and well appointed (king bed, refrigerator, whirlpool tub). It fronts on 16^th Street, so it’s probably a bit noisier than some of the rooms in the back, but makes up for it with a flood of daylight (light sleepers should be warned that there are not blackout curtains, and some of the upper windows have no curtains at all. Breakfast is served each morning, and was different each morning I was there. Joanna served the breakfasts and generally charmed all of the guests. While the place is nice enough, Joanna represents the extra little edge that makes the Akwaaba truly a nice place to stay. Five stars.
Things change when you consider that you need to book through B&B Washington. Heaven help you if you need to change your reservation or cancel. My colleague reserved a room, and within 24 hours learned that his plans had changed, and would not be able to stay there. Allan at B&B acknowledged that during the summer peak there would be no trouble re-​booking, and indeed, the brief hold on the room could realistically have had little effect on the ability to book the room. Even so, he still insisted on a $ 50 cancellation fee, for «unrecoverable costs.» I call bullshit on that.
The other issue that came up was a possible change of my own booking by one night (of four). Again, Allan insisted that he would retain any night’s cost if I shortened my stay, unless he could re-​book. While the problem my colleague had with Allan, while unusual and (IMO) poor business, it was at least technically consistent with their cancellation policy. His approach to a shortened stay is not (Akwaaba policy pasted below). Zero stars
«Cancellations are accepted up to 2 weeks before arrival. The original deposit becomes a cancel fee. Should you need to cancel less than 2 weeks before your arrival, once final payment has been made, we can only offer a refund for nights we are able to resell. We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance to cover unexpected circumstances that would prevent you from traveling last minute.»
Edit: To further counter the claim of full disclosure, I discovered that I was charged a $ 10 «booking fee.» That’s not disclosed anywhere. And is likewise a rather unusual business practice.
Frankly, the business end turned me off enough (in spite of my otherwise happy stay) that I cannot recommend the Akwaaba, or any place managed by B&B Washington.

I have stayed at Akwaaba DC twice and have had a fantastic experience. The hostess, Joanna, is delightful and attentive, making you feel as though you are staying at the home of a friend. The breakfast is excellent, the space is ample and the furnishings are comfortable for working, the rooms are clean, spacious, and nicely appointed. It is walking distance to the Dupont Circle metro, restaurants, etc. Taking all of that into account, the price is extremely reasonable. I have traveled extensively and this is as pleasant an accommodation as I have ever found.

Stayed at this historic B & B for one night. The B & B is actually a beautiful, well-​cared for 1890’s mansion in a pretty part of DC. The sleeping rooms are simple but clean. The common areas are breathtaking– very high ceilings, wide hallways, comfortable furnishings. Joanna cooked us a terrific breakfast and accommodated our need to be served early. All in all, a warm and welcoming place to stay for a reasonable cost.

This is a classic stone building full of character and charm, decorated with passion and ingenuity. The staff make it a warm and inviting place, full of the rich heritage of the African American culture, especially the intellectual power of many writers. The hospitality is exceptional. The breakfasts are phenomenal, and they adapt to special needs, as in our case. The building is old, the staircase narrow and steep. There is no elevator, and no provision for handicapped. The rooms are compact, and the shower, a bit tight. The décor is an eclectic mix. Spread throughout the house are intriguing volumes by the best of African American authors, and volumes documenting the black sojourn in America.

My wife and I stayed here for a week in 2011, and it was amazing! The home-​cooked breakfasts were excellent, our inn-​keeper was charming, helpful, and accommodating, and the rooms were beautifully decorated and well-​furnished. On top of it all, they offer complimentary wine and snacks between 5−7pm daily for «happy hour.» All just a 7-​minute walk away from the Dupont Circle metro station. There was literally nothing we could complain about! We highly recommend the Akwaaba DC!

a year before obama burst onto the scene, i decided that i needed to visit my nation’s capital. i was inspired. i wanted to be a more involved, politically and historically grounded citizen. so i decided to visit dc.
i haven’t traveled extensively, but in all of my travels to other major american cities, i’ve always stayed with family or in hotels. for some reason, this dc trip called for something different. while doing a web search on accommodations, i stumbled upon the akwaaba inn — bed and breakfast.
it is because of the akwaaba that i now prefer to lodge at bnb’s. the bnb environment gives the traveler a greater sense of independence and responsibility. you enter the front door with your own building key. you carry your own bags. you make your own bed. it’s like you’re living in your own place, in a home away from home.
all of the rooms have special names (the zora room, for example) and all are black themed — with books and images of black authors and figures. this, i loved. i stayed in the room at the very top: «the inspiration suite.» my room was the most beautiful and loveliest room of the whole place, and probably in all of dc. skylight. clawfoot tub in the main space. bathroom. large closet with hideaway tv. rustic, wooden floor, and romantic metal frame bed. so elegant and refined, but not bourgeois or overly fancy. just — LOVELY. every banister, stair case, and parlor exudes elegance and old charm.
the inn keeper was gracious, and served warm, welcoming breakfasts each day. travelers were encouraged to chat and dine together. i also liked this very much.
i exited and entered the akwaaba at all times of the day, and never felt on edge or as if my safety was compromised. the neighborhood is pretty nice, normal, clean… lots of people from all walks of life. i love eclectic enclaves. you really can’t go wrong in a place that is known as being lgbt-​friendly.
very close to the metro. also another plus.
love it. love it. would go there again in a heartbeat, but it’s definitely not cheap.

Thanks to Akwaaba, my boyfriend managed to pull off a wonderful surprise engagement. While we were at dinner, the staff prepared the room beautifully with rose petals and candles, and had a chilled bottle of champagne and strawberries and cream ready. It was very unexpected and romantic.
It’s a beautifully decorated, well-​equipped bed and breakfast in a city that doesn’t have many to choose from. It’s very easily accessible (close to metro and buses and close to tons of good restaurants).
The theme (African-​American writers) and the fact that is a black owned and run business makes it the perfect place for DC. The morning breakfast was tasty and the staff as very kind. Thanks for the great experience!

My husband and I stayed at Akwaaba this past weekend, because we were in town for a family event. This is our second time at an Akwaaba property (the first time was at the Brooklyn B&B), and once again, we were not disappointed.
Ironically enough, the same gentleman, Glen, who helped us in Brooklyn a few years ago was working in the DC location, because the innkeeper was taking time off.
Pluses: Black-​owned business. Beautiful, spacious and comfortable bedroom (we stayed in the Zora Neale Suite). Spacious bathroom with huge jacuzzi to fit two adults comfortably. Breakfast was tasty (Day 1: French Toast, Day 2: Sausage and Eggs). Friendly, welcoming staff. Convenient location near Dupont Circle. Parking on-​site for our car.
Minuses: Breakfast, although good, was not spectacularly innovative. I would like to eat something that I can’t get anywhere else or is better than what I can get elsewhere.
Overall, I would definitely stay at Akwaaba again!

BEAUTIFUL B&B!!! my parents stayed here and they loved it! they stayed in the Langston Hughes room and were blown away by how beautiful it was. The prices were good, the breakfast delicious, and the hospitality was wonderful. This is the kind of place that makes you want to explore the B&B world. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants something «different» but elegant while here in DC.

This room was great (though not cheap!). Beautiful décor. Clean and comfortable. Excellent location.
The meals however left a lot to be desired. My advice: stay in bed and don’t worry about waking up early for the breakfast. I you want a bed and breakfast where the meals will blow you away, this is not the place.
Overall the stay was wholly pleasant and comfortable. If you have the money to burn — stay in the Langston Hughes room.

Me and my husband stayed here for 3 nights — it’s in Dupont Circle which is a great location — walking distance to U Street, Adam’s Morgan, Georgetown, and the Mall. Also, convenient buses run right in front if you don’t want to walk.
Upon arrival at the discreet building, we were pleasantly surprised to be greeted with a colorful and cozy atmosphere, and a very friendly inkeeper Kristin.
We stayed in the Romance Room — sweet and cozy, decorated in reds and velvet and looks out to the back alley way. The bathroom has ‘Romance’ written on the walls — a little cheesy but cute. It has a two headed shower — the water pressure is a bit funky. I think they need to change the shower heads so the water is consistent on both sides. The same with the sink faucet pressure — it sort of trickles out. Not too noisy if it hadn’t been for the love birds whose room was on top of ours — boy were they loud. Other than that, it was pretty quiet.
We loved the very friendly staff and atmosphere. Plus it is very reasonable compared to the other B&Bs in the area. This place has charm and history which we love about B&Bs. They served homey style breakfast in the morning — different every morning usually consisting of juice, fruit, cereal and a main dish — French Toast, Quiche. The day Monique (the owner) made breakfast it was the best.
We had a wonderful stay here — perfect as a home base to all the sites in DC.