Daily dispatches on the Washington, DC area's food, restaurant and dining scene.

To Do: Dine and Dip at the Omni-Shoreham

By Sara Levine

Courtesy of the Omni-Shoreham hotel.

UPDATE, 6.28.07: We've been told the Dip portion of the Dine and Dip (ie, the part where you get to go in the pool) will be ending on July 8th.

No pool membership this summer? With temps pushing 90 degrees already, you might find yourself regretting that decision come July. Luckily, Woodley Park's Omni Shoreham hotel offers some heat-relief with their Dine and Dip package. Starting this weekend, and running every Sunday through the summer, you can enjoy free run of the hotel’s beautiful pool and terrace area for $21 a person ($14 for kids under 12). Also included? A three-course Champagne brunch.

A complimentary mimosa or glass of Champagne kicks off the meal, which offers a first course of berries and pastries, a choice from five or six entree options (expect classic brunch fare like french toast and eggs benedict), and a lavish dessert spread. Hang out on a lounge chair to digest, then cool off with a swim—my idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon.

Brunch is available from 10 AM to 2 PM, and they won’t kick you out of the pool until dusk. No reservations required.

Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert Street (at Connecticut Avenue); 202-234-0700; Omnihotels.com.

Comments

Yesterday, I went to the Omni to take advantage of this deal. However, it turned out my friends and I were the ones taken advantage of. What the Omni doesn’t tell you is that there is only room at the pool for 150 people. Once they reach that max, they will not allow anyone else by the pool. We were informed of this after our waiter had already brought us drinks and the pastry platter that comes with brunch. The manager offered us rain checks to use at the pool, which would have been valid only Monday through Friday of this week (as if people do not work).

The reason the promotion is ending on Sunday is because it was too popular and they could not accommodate everyone showing up. Clearly, the hotel did not anticipate this response.

Save yourself the trouble of going. The food is mediocre at best and if you can’t use the pool, you can find much better (and cheaper) places in the area to have brunch.

Posted by: Laura, Jul 02, 2007 10:50:56 AM

The dine and dip was great but I heard the dip portion was ending July 9th due to popular demand! Too bad huh!

Posted by: ChevyChase, Jun 28, 2007 09:37:15 AM

Yes they do.. and also towels. But get there early -- some folks were turned away at 1pm.

Posted by: VA, Jun 11, 2007 12:30:39 PM

Thanks for sharing this -- what a great idea for those of us who live in the city and don’t have access to pools. Sounds like a delightful way to spend a Sunday.

Posted by: Angie, Jun 06, 2007 08:09:06 PM

Do they offer facilities to change clothes?

Posted by: Fairfax, Jun 06, 2007 02:14:43 PM