I recently stayed at the Hotel Helix as the US government-provided accomodation for some work I was doing for them in DC. When I checked in, I was enchanted by the free champange cocktail and groovaliscious decorations. About 18 hours into my stay I realized that the posh only ran skin-deep. I found problems with the air quality, bathroom, decor and amenities.

The Hotel Helix is a member of the Kimpton Hotel chain. I have never stayed at any of these hotels, but I now recommend caution as this was not so great a hotel. Granted, this is probably only a three-star hotel, but readers may wish to be aware of the elements that make it much closer to the one-star Motel 6 standard rather than the Holiday Inn standard.

First, I was concerned with my breathing-sneezing-coughing reaction my first night, thinking it was a result of travel, although I wondered initially and dismissed the hotel air ventilation. As a diagnosed asthmatic, I am extremely vigilant about keeping my meds and reactions in control. By night two, it was obvious that the hotel is not keeping up with clean air standards. I have not had this much trouble since I inadvertantly spent the night at the Stardust in Vegas (now condemned), where I could not sleep on account of not being able to breathe.

When I checked in to Hotel Helix I asked for a room that I could take a bath in. The room I got checked into had a bathtub, but it was scratched up and not at all inviting. As a US public health consultant, I did not want to get into a bathtub with large (looked like it had been repeatedly keyed) scratches where bacteria might manifest. Gross! As well, my soap and conditioner shower dispenser was clogged when I tried to use it. Nothing like getting into the shower, and finding that your products are not working...

The Hotel Helix boasts a fitness center in the hotel, and it is not more than several aerobic machines and a TV in a small room. This is better that no fitness center, but if one is expecting something exciting as the hotel web site alludes to, prepare to be disappointed. On the up side, all machines worked well and there were free water and towels available. There is no strength training equipment.

As more minor issues, the room appeared to have been decorated on an unaired "Trading Spaces" episode. There were problems with frayed upholstery and unmatching pieces in rooms. I understand the concepts of modern, contemporary and urban. I am a member of several art groups, museums and other festive organizations in one of the largest US urban cities in which I reside, and this was just slapdash-looking. Pieces were all retro, to be sure (perhaps they were found at a good garage sale), but they did not work together, and were mismatched both in color as well as period. Last, my coffee pot in my coffee maker was cracked and broken. This may sound trivial, but when one is headed to meet with 40 of the finest scientists that the US has to offer at a pre-dawn hour, coffee is EXTREMELY important.

On an up note, the linens were delightful: beautiful towels, and high count sheets. In addition, the hotel has free wireless throughout. However, I would have gladly traded these in for a good night's breathing; less, overkill, tacky frou frou; and reliable coffee in my room. All staff members were very pleasant, attractive and helpful. This is clearly a case of the hotel, perhaps the chain, mission and management that is misplaced. I would recommend this hotel only as a last resort, and will systematically avoid it and all Kimpton hotels in the future.

Good luck, happy travel and sweet dreams.