Upscale Magazine – Soulful Writing

New Hotel Honors Literary Luminaries
-Joyce E. Davis

The next time you’re in Washington, D.C., skip the Marriott and stay at the capital’s newest bed & breakfast, Akwaaba. Located just blocks from the White House, the turn-of-the-century mansion was restored by owner and former Essence magaine editor-in-chief Monique Greenwood to honor seminal black authors and genres.

The Walter Mosely room is dark blue and black like the mysteries he creates. Works of wordsmith Saul Williams and former national poet laureate Rita Dove adorm the Poetry Room, and aromas of spiced pear permeate the all-white Inspiration room. Rich red walls warm the Zora Neale Hurston room, which features paintings of both she and Langston Hughes, and has sit-in windows and a cherrywood bed, wardrobe and antique writing desk. All inspire a delving into the soul, which is exactly how these authors produced their fare (1708 16th St., N.W. Washington, D.C.; 202-332-4100).

April 2004