I feel like I could write a book about our (tragically) one-night stay at Paul's Bloomingdale oasis. For a review, however, perhaps a more succinct approach will do. Paul is a host among hosts, and his space is one of the most welcoming and beautiful places that I have ever spent a night in. Honestly, I'm not sure with which to be more impressed with -- the room or the hospitality! Photos of the space give you a good impression, but seeing it in person made me smile from ear to ear. Warm, cozy and perfectly inviting, the space is definitely intimate but more than accommodating enough for a stay of one night or several.
Paul and his partner have masterfully created both an interior and garden that made me want to stay much longer than we did -- we've even started talking about coming back to DC just to stay there again! A big part of the appeal is his dedication to true hospitality. Welcoming us at our car and introducing us to the apartment, he even had drawn out a map of the neighborhood and drafted a list of his favorite joints, and walked us through both. At breakfast, we ran into him at the local cafe, and it seemed like everyone knew his name -- trust his recommendations. Even down to his clear love and inherent dedication to the people and history of the area, Paul is pushing to the boundaries of hospitality, in the most beautiful of ways.