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International Guest House

Overview Rooms & Rates Reviews Location Amenities Meals
  • INTERNATIONAL GUEST HOUSE
    • Nightly Rate $40 - $80
       ,
    • Reviews 32  
    • Rooms 5
    • Address 1441 Kennedy St NW
      Washington, DC 20011-6824
      USA
    • Phone+1-202-726-5808
    • EmailContact Innkeeper

    A HOME AWAY FROM HOME. Church operated. Good rates. Clean,friendly, warm and homelike atmosphere. The International Guest House is in a safe neighborhood nestled away from the hustle and bustle of DC. The three story house is attractively remodeled. IGH is located 4 1/2 miles north of the White House and 3 houses from a bus stop. As many as ten different nationalities have been represented here at one time. Chatting with folks around the globe at breakfast and evening tea is the highlight for many who stay here. All nationalities and faiths accepted. Many return for the second and third time. Wireless internet available.

    Reviews

    Score Breakdown based on 32 Reviews

    Write A Review
    4.5 out of 5
     
    • Guest room  4
    • Services  5
    • Value  5
    • Cleanliness  5
    • Dining  4

    Explanation of Our Ratings

      Outstanding
      Exceeded my expectations
      Met my expectations
      Okay, but below average
      Unsatisfactory
    5 out of 5
     

    Didn't want to leave!

    March 27, 2013

    A friend and I recently stayed here on a brief visit to DC, and it was by far my favorite place I have ever stayed! The staff (volunteers) were very friendly and instantly made us feel at home. Evening tea and breakfast each morning were a wonderful opportunity to mingle with the hosts as well as other guests and hear about their experiences in the city... we ended up visiting places we hadn't even heard of based on their recommendations, and were very glad we did! Though these were not an issue for us (many were a "plus" in our opinions), there are a few potential downsides: -11pm curfew. Because the front door is always locked, you have to be back to the house by 11pm or there will not be anyone to let you inside. -slight religious component. It is run by Mennonite volunteers, so there is a brief devotional and prayer before breakfast each day, but there is nothing stopping you from coming late to breakfast; and you are obviously not required to participate, just be respectful and quiet at this time. -reserve by # of beds rather than # of rooms... if you are traveling alone, you will likely end up with a roommate! They have 2-bed and 3-bed rooms, so if you are traveling in a group, this should not be an issue. All rooms have twin beds. -Diverse guests. As the name suggests, it attracts many international travelers as well as those from the U.S... if you do not like meeting people from different cultures, this place is not for you! Overall, it was a wonderful stay! It was truly a home away from home, and I already want to go back! In the words of the friend I was traveling with "There have been plenty of times that I went on a trip and didn't want to leave the place, city, etc... but this is the only time I have ever not wanted to leave the accomodations."

    3.4 out of 5
     

    International House stay

    June 23, 2012

    A great stay for us, close to downtown. Andy & Dirk were most helpful helping us get aquainted with the city & the transportation system. Breakfast was simple as was evening tea but gave you a chance to meet people from other cultures/countries. Great location, close to buses & a clean environment. Sharing bathrooms not a problem at all. If you are looking for a good value, this is it.... Danny & Martha - fulltimeRV'ers Sioux Falls, SD (currently in Elmira, NY)

    4.2 out of 5
     

    Lovely and safe.

    April 13, 2012

    The International Guest House is a lovely place to stay while visiting Washington DC. The most outstanding feature was the tea served at 9 pm. As many guests as possible would gather in the evenings for tea and cookies. We shared our days' adventures and discussed many other topics. My husband and I would rush back every evening to enjoy the company of the other guests. Pros: Evening tea, great variety in guests, safe location, knowledgable staff, very clean, price (very good value!), quite close to transportation Cons: Small beds, shared bathrooms only

    4.2 out of 5
     

    A warm home for visitors coming to washington

    October 22, 2011

    Andy and Anita take great care to make their guests feel confortable and at home. They convinced us that also in America kindness and good personal relations are more important than the dollar. We enjoyed especially meeting people of different countries and cultures every evening.

    Location

    Innkeeper Information

    Innkeeper(s)

    Hillary and Rene Shilosio

    The innkeepers speak:

    • Swahili

    • English

    Contact Innkeeper

  • Rooms & Rates

    • Nightly Rate $40 - $80

    Policy

    Reservation Policy

    • Check In: 3:00 pm    Check Out: 10:00 am

    • Deposit Amount Required: VISA,Master Card number, or money order required to reserve room

    • Cancellations: Cancellation must be received at least 48 hours prior to reservation date or one night fee will be charged. For groups or families reserving two rooms or more a two week cancellation is required or a two night fee will be charged.

    • Open All Year Round: Yes

    General Policies

    • Smoking Allowed: No

    • Guest Pets Allowed: No

    • Drinking Allowed: No

    • Drinks Available: No

    • Children Allowed: 0 - 5 yrs only $5 per night; children 6 - 12 years at $20

    • Suitable For Children: Yes

    • Childcare Provided: No

    Contact Innkeeper

  • Reviews

    Score Breakdown based on 32 Reviews

    Write A Review
    4.5 out of 5
     
    • Guest room  4
    • Services  4
    • Value  4
    • Cleanliness  4
    • Dining  4

    Explanation of Our Ratings

      Outstanding
      Exceeded my expectations
      Met my expectations
      Okay, but below average
      Unsatisfactory
    5 out of 5
     

    Didn't want to leave!

    March 27, 2013

    A friend and I recently stayed here on a brief visit to DC, and it was by far my favorite place I have ever stayed! The staff (volunteers) were very friendly and instantly made us feel at home. Evening tea and breakfast each morning were a wonderful opportunity to mingle with the hosts as well as other guests and hear about their experiences in the city... we ended up visiting places we hadn't even heard of based on their recommendations, and were very glad we did! Though these were not an issue for us (many were a "plus" in our opinions), there are a few potential downsides: -11pm curfew. Because the front door is always locked, you have to be back to the house by 11pm or there will not be anyone to let you inside. -slight religious component. It is run by Mennonite volunteers, so there is a brief devotional and prayer before breakfast each day, but there is nothing stopping you from coming late to breakfast; and you are obviously not required to participate, just be respectful and quiet at this time. -reserve by # of beds rather than # of rooms... if you are traveling alone, you will likely end up with a roommate! They have 2-bed and 3-bed rooms, so if you are traveling in a group, this should not be an issue. All rooms have twin beds. -Diverse guests. As the name suggests, it attracts many international travelers as well as those from the U.S... if you do not like meeting people from different cultures, this place is not for you! Overall, it was a wonderful stay! It was truly a home away from home, and I already want to go back! In the words of the friend I was traveling with "There have been plenty of times that I went on a trip and didn't want to leave the place, city, etc... but this is the only time I have ever not wanted to leave the accomodations."

    3.4 out of 5
     

    International House stay

    June 23, 2012

    A great stay for us, close to downtown. Andy & Dirk were most helpful helping us get aquainted with the city & the transportation system. Breakfast was simple as was evening tea but gave you a chance to meet people from other cultures/countries. Great location, close to buses & a clean environment. Sharing bathrooms not a problem at all. If you are looking for a good value, this is it.... Danny & Martha - fulltimeRV'ers Sioux Falls, SD (currently in Elmira, NY)

    4.2 out of 5
     

    Lovely and safe.

    April 13, 2012

    The International Guest House is a lovely place to stay while visiting Washington DC. The most outstanding feature was the tea served at 9 pm. As many guests as possible would gather in the evenings for tea and cookies. We shared our days' adventures and discussed many other topics. My husband and I would rush back every evening to enjoy the company of the other guests. Pros: Evening tea, great variety in guests, safe location, knowledgable staff, very clean, price (very good value!), quite close to transportation Cons: Small beds, shared bathrooms only

    4.2 out of 5
     

    A warm home for visitors coming to washington

    October 22, 2011

    Andy and Anita take great care to make their guests feel confortable and at home. They convinced us that also in America kindness and good personal relations are more important than the dollar. We enjoyed especially meeting people of different countries and cultures every evening.

    4.8 out of 5
     

    AN AMAZING FIND!

    June 01, 2011

    I am so thankful that I cancelled my booking at a pricey hotel near the Convention Center, and found 8 nights available at IHG! It was a 'home away from home' experience. The staff could not have been more cordial, accommodating and helpful in every way. A lovely older home in a genuine tree-lined neighborhood, safe to boot, and only a few miles from the center of Washington, the IHG offers complimentary breakfast [yummy fresh muffins!], thrice-daily teas, Wi-Fi Internet access in each room, a general purpose/recreation room, quiet, comfort, caring and care, cleanliness. The bus to downtown is only half a block down the street and operates every 5-15 minutes from early morning to late at night. It connects to the Metro, according to one's wishes. There are 2 single beds in each room, and a singleton often will have a roommate. Bathroom is shared and impeccably clean. Particularly enchanting is the astonishing variety of guests from all over the world, each with 'a story to tell'. Although run by Mennonites, other than a brief meditative reading and prayer at the communal breakfast, religion is not discussed unless one wishes to do so. I plan to stay there 'next time' in DC, and I will steer my friends to the IHG, even coercively! 'Such a deal/steal'!

    4.4 out of 5
     

    Best deal in DC!

    May 30, 2011

    I can't say enough nice things about this place. It's on a quiet street, has public transportation nearby that takes you to the National Mall, and you simply cannot beat the price. For only 4O bucks a night I got a comfy place to sleep, breakfast, and home baked cookies at tea time. It's by no means luxurious, and you may have to share a room and bathroom(it was not busy during my stay so I had a room to myself), but at that price, you'll have no complaints. Best of all were the lovely volunteers at the guest house. They create a warm, family atmosphere and go out of their way to help you figure out how to get around, what to see, ect. I had a great time and will stay there anytime I happen to be in DC

    5 out of 5
     

    amazing

    November 05, 2010

    both the place and the people are very nice, they impressed me.

    4.6 out of 5
     

    The best bargain EVER!

    November 01, 2010

    This charming home is a bastion of safety, comfort and care. The staff is splendid - I wanted for nothing. Public transportation is very close; the breakfasts are plentiful and good, the rooms clean and charming.

    Contact Innkeeper

  • Location

    Overview Points of Interest Restaurants

    Location Type

    • 4 miles North of White House

    • Across the street from Rock Creek Park

    • Near 16th Street bus stop

    • Near Carter Barron Amphitheater

    • Pleasant, quiet, residential area.

    • City

    City -

    • Directions to property:
      495 Beltway-Exit 31B at Georgia Ave., South. Go for 1/2 mile and take a right exit onto 16th St. Take 16th St. to Kennedy St. (about 3 1/2 miles) and turn left. The Guest House is 3 houses from the corner of 16th and Kennedy.

    Airport

    • Washington DC, DC (DCA-Ronald Reagan National) 6 miles

    • Directions to property:
      Take the Yellow Line Metro towards Mt. Vernon Square. (During rush hour you may need to transfer to the Green Line Metro). Get off at the Columbia Heights station. Exit the Metro to 14th Street Northbound. Take the number 52 or 54 bus to Kennedy Street. Walk west 3/4 of a block to 1441 Kennedy Street.

    Area Attractions

    • Aquarium

    • Art Galleries

    • Concert venue

    • Historical interests

    • Museum

    • National/State parks

    • Nature area

    • Many museums and historical places

    • Rock Creek Park/Carter Barron Amphitheater

    • Performing Theater

    • Picnic area

    • Religious Services

    • River

    • Zoo

    • Bicycle riding trails

    • Bird watching

    • Golfing

    • Hiking trails

    • Concerts, art shows

    • Shopping

    • Sight-seeing

    • Table Tennis

    • Tennis courts

    • Tennis racket rental

     Nearby Cities

     Nearby States

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  • Amenities

    Type:

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    • Bed and Breakfast

    Property highlights

    • International Traveler

    • Economical rates

    • Peaceful getaway

    On-site

    • Board games

    • Ceiling fans

    • Computer

    • Internet Service

    • Piano

    • TV

    • Telephone

    • Wi-Fi

    Guest room(s)

    • Air conditioning

    • Alarm clock

    • Desk

    Other

    • Access to wireless internet

    • Washington Monumnet 30 minutes by bus

    • Hair Dryer,Fridge,Microwave,Ironing Board on site

    • Smithsonian only 30 minutes away by bus

    Contact Innkeeper

  • Breakfast

    • Type: family style

    • Time Served: 8:00 AM

    • Serving Location: Dining Room

    Additional food services

    • Tea and cookies are served at 9:00 pm.

    Contact Innkeeper
 
Contact Innkeeper