Alo Wellness Club Brings Urban Fitness to Arlo Washington DC, Where the New Meets the Old
Arlo Washington DC is a boutique hotel located in former historic apartment building in the heart of urban D.C.
Stepping into the lobby of Arlo Washington DC, I waited in line behind a well-dressed woman wearing a silk chartreuse shirt. It turned out she was an actress filming a promo that was celebrating the hotel’s 10 years as a boutique hotel brand.
The one in the nation’s capital — just blocks from the National Mall, the Capital One Arena, and Chinatown — is the newest one in the Arlo portfolio, which got its start in New York City.
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In the heart of urban D.C., Arlo brings its sense of modern sensibilities, with fitness at its core, to the oldest surviving apartment building in the city. The 1888 Harrison Apartment is built in a Romanesque Revival style, adding to the charm of Arlo.
The hotel features modern amenities, working spaces, and fitness offerings.
Arlo sets itself up as a contemporary launching pad for visiting Washington, D.C., while also providing an urban haven for resetting. Above the reception is a floor with a few dimly lit sitting areas for relaxing, working, and meeting friends or colleagues. It reminded me of a library — a space I love finding in a hotel.
Taking care of yourself with exercise is becoming a priority for the modern traveler. Arlo has a 24/7 fitness room with weight machines, exercise balls, and treadmills in front of sunny windows that face Judiciary Square with grand red-bricked buildings.
The hotel’s fitness studio has a variety of equipment and machines for guests to use during their stay.
The fitness area also has an assortment of Alo yoga mats and blocks that you can use there or in your room. You can take the yoga equipment to your room, or the hotel staff will deliver the Alo equipment to your door. From the comfort of your room, you can tune in to the Alo Wellness Club channel that streams yoga, stretching, and Pilates workout videos.
While working out, guests can enjoy views of Judiciary Square with grand red-bricked buildings.
For food and drink, Arlo has a cute cafe and market called the Bodega. In addition to grab-and-go drinks, the counter makes craft coffees, warms up pastries delivered each morning, and serves sandwiches for the busy traveler.
Adjacent to the lobby is an on-site bar and restaurant, called Arrels, where you can try local beers and dig into dishes like grilled Buffalo wings and lobster rolls.
The rooftop bar and lounge, ART DC, offers small bites and drinks, adjacent to the hotel’s rooftop pool. With panoramic views of the District’s skyline, it’s also a venue for Arlo After Dark, which hosts parties, live performances, and arts programming.
Arrels, the hotel’s restaurant and bar, serves a variety of dishes and local beers.
Arlo is also within a few blocks of historic Chinatown with old-school restaurants, like Chinatown Express. One of the hottest restaurants in D.C., Moon Rabbit, is also within a few blocks, but it’s best to make reservations well in advance. Moon Rabbit just won a 2026 James Beard Award.
Arlo is located within walking distance of the National Mall, which has landmarks like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Smithsonian museums.
Popular ones, such as the National Air and Space Museum, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, are free, but tickets with reserved times are highly recommended.
Arlo Washington DC’s 445 rooms and suites include chic, white oak furnishings, natural textures, and intuitive layouts that create a sense of calm.
From the hotel, you may want to access the e-scooters or e-bikes to make your way around the sprawling 309 acres that are part of the National Mall.
There are also new venues opening, including a National Geographic Museum of Exploration and a museum underneath the Lincoln Memorial.
After a day out in D.C., Arlo provides the perfect retreat for rejuvenating or relaxing on the rooftop pool or an Alo-led yoga stretch.
The rooftop includes a swimming pool along with bar and food service.
Insider Tip
Take advantage of the Alo in-room fitness videos. Think of it as a sign and a gift. Not many hotels make it easy to exercise in your room. If you find yourself inspired to exercise in your room but not inspired enough to leave the room, the hotel staff is happy to bring the fitness equipment to your room.
From the comfort of your room, you can tune in to the Alo Wellness Club channel that streams yoga, stretching, and Pilates workout videos.
For more information and to book a stay at Arlo Washington DC, visit their website or call (202) 737-7000. For special deals on your stay, click here. Follow on Instagram: @arlohotels
333 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001
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[Photos courtesy of Arlo Washington DC and Helen Hwang]
Helen I. Hwang is an award-winning journalist, author, and mechanical engineer. Her works have appeared in The New York Times for Kids, Eater San Diego, People Magazine, Parents.com, Trip Advisor, Huffington Post, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine,TravelSavvy.com, and other publications.
She has also written a book, titled All Grown Up: Please Touch Museum and Its Move to Memorial Hall, for the Please Touch Museum, a children's museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In addition, Helen worked as a researcher for the Peabody Award-winning NPR radio program, Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Over the years, she's lived on three continents and traveled to more than 40 countries.
She currently lives in San Diego, CA, the 16th place she's called home. More about her can be found at helenihwang.com.