Ownership Experience: The District

[ernststarhemberg]

Soliciting feedback from folks who own deeds at the District. What's the good, bad, and ugly?

I get to DC on occasion, so I see myself staying at the property sometimes. I stayed there for the first time for a few days last week. As a "Hilton Club," it's not quite up to the newer Elara bHC or Liberty Place standards, but the location is excellent, and the property seems well-maintained overall.

I am mainly looking at a resale deed to have ownership in a property relatively close to me (mid-Atlantic, currently I own all in Vegas), with reasonable MFs (by bHC standards) and low, stable MF growth. It's the reasonable MFs and low, stable growth that rules out SC and FL. So, the District seems to check these boxes.

Being a bHC deed, it also retains the 1:32 HHonors conversion, right? I like to have this option as a fallback.

Anyway, just kicking the tires and soliciting feedback and advice from folks who either own the District or have purchased bHC resale deeds before. Thank you!

 

[ernststarhemberg]

More broadly, when purchasing a resale deed through a realtor, what's a quick bullet list of due diligence items to consider?

 

[shootrrr88440]

I just closed on a platinum 1bd week at the District. The broker and closing company should handle everything, such as the estoppel and transfer docs. I have not been to the district yet but the 1:32 and lowish MFs are what attracted me. I also got "upgraded" into Max with the resale purchase, often referred to back door max here on TUG as I am just a lowly legacy resale owner. So far everything has been smooth and I look forward to visiting next year!

 

[ernststarhemberg]

I just closed on a platinum 1bd week at the District. The broker and closing company should handle everything, such as the estoppel and transfer docs. I have not been to the district yet but the 1:32 and lowish MFs are what attracted me. I also got "upgraded" into Max with the resale purchase, often referred to back door max here on TUG as I am just a lowly legacy resale owner. So far everything has been smooth and I look forward to visiting next year!

I was very impressed with the location, midway between the White House and Georgetown. Close enough to everything but just far enough away not to be inundated in the "tourist" scene.

Check out Chef Geoff's down the street. Delicious.

 

[ernststarhemberg]

Via Max, I also scored an upgrade from a 1BR standard to a 1BR Plus, which was a corner standalone unit on the 9th floor with an additional 150sqft(?) or so.

 

[shootrrr88440]

You get free room upgrades with Max? Or is that a status thing? It's new to me so still figuring it all out. Also, do you have to request a room upgrade or is it automatic?

 

[ernststarhemberg]

In order for a resale purchase to be combined into an existing HGV account, do the names on the resale deed need to match the existing HGV deeds exactly? Can an additional name be added?

 

[shootrrr88440]

I just provided my existing HGV membership number when purchasing resale. Not sure about adding or changing names, so can't answer there.

 

[ernststarhemberg]

You get free room upgrades with Max? Or is that a status thing? It's new to me so still figuring it all out. Also, do you have to request a room upgrade or is it automatic?

Maybe not... maybe the Premier Plus status is what triggers the upgrades. I get the bennies confused.

Usually, when I book a room, it will give me an option to "opt-in" to the upgrade at the time of booking. It's a good way to save points during the low season or at properties with plenty of inventory. When going to Elara bHC, I always book the lowest-tier room (either quad studio plus, 1BR plus, or 2BR plus) and get upgraded to a Premier about 90% of the time.

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

Soliciting feedback from folks who own deeds at the District. What's the good, bad, and ugly?

I get to DC on occasion, so I see myself staying at the property sometimes. I stayed there for the first time for a few days last week. As a "Hilton Club," it's not quite up to the newer Elara bHC or Liberty Place standards, but the location is excellent, and the property seems well-maintained overall.

I am mainly looking at a resale deed to have ownership in a property relatively close to me (mid-Atlantic, currently I own all in Vegas), with reasonable MFs (by bHC standards) and low, stable MF growth. It's the reasonable MFs and low, stable growth that rules out SC and FL. So, the District seems to check these boxes.

Being a bHC deed, it also retains the 1:32 HHonors conversion, right? I like to have this option as a fallback.

Anyway, just kicking the tires and soliciting feedback and advice from folks who either own the District or have purchased bHC resale deeds before. Thank you!

I've owned my EOY 1BR District for about 5 years and have stayed there 5-6 times, but haven't been there in the past 2 years.

Here are the things I like: 1) Location...agree with everything you posted and have taken the train from BWI to DC's Union Station and then the Metro to Dupont Circle which is about a 10-15 minute walk to the District. The Foggy Bottom Station is about the same distance. 2) The Owners Lounge provides a nice place to relax and have some extra space to eat either breakfast from the Embassy Suites downstairs or take out from restaurants. Surfside is one of my favorites. https://surfsidedc.com/dupont-menu/ There is a Owners reception in the Lounge I think every night. We just used it to have a glass of wine or beer before heading out to dinner....Can't remember what kind of appetizers they served, but some owners attacked it with elbows up. 3) Staff has been pretty engaged and helpful while I have been there. 4) Ownership gets me All Inclusive that waives all reservation fees system wide---that's probably the biggest plus for me

Things I don't like: 1) Parking can get expensive if you drive in, but I used to have family in the area and could park for free there. You can find some cheaper options using a parking app 2) Sometimes the breakfast downstairs can be crazy busy, but I am an early riser so that's not a problem for me. 3) The lights in the bathrooms were tough to figure out/manage...they have a motion sensor and would come on full blast when getting up in the middle of the night...my last stay I got some tape from the check in area and taped a piece of paper over the sensor at night.

I don't regret buying there and the MF's in 2025 were under $.14/point. I think the increase this year was modest. I've seen much worse Silver/Gold deeds in Orlando

 

[ernststarhemberg]

I've owned my EOY 1BR District for about 5 years and have stayed there 5-6 times, but haven't been there in the past 2 years.

Here are the things I like: 1) Location...agree with everything you posted and have taken the train from BWI to DC's Union Station and then the Metro to Dupont Circle which is about a 10-15 minute walk to the District. The Foggy Bottom Station is about the same distance. 2) The Owners Lounge provides a nice place to relax and have some extra space to eat either breakfast from the Embassy Suites downstairs or take out from restaurants. Surfside is one of my favorites. https://surfsidedc.com/dupont-menu/ There is a Owners reception in the Lounge I think every night. We just used it to have a glass of wine or beer before heading out to dinner....Can't remember what kind of appetizers they served, but some owners attacked it with elbows up. 3) Staff has been pretty engaged and helpful while I have been there. 4) Ownership gets me All Inclusive that waives all reservation fees system wide---that's probably the biggest plus for me

Things I don't like: 1) Parking can get expensive if you drive in, but I used to have family in the area and could park for free there. You can find some cheaper options using a parking app 2) Sometimes the breakfast downstairs can be crazy busy, but I am an early riser so that's not a problem for me. 3) The lights in the bathrooms were tough to figure out/manage...they have a motion sensor and would come on full blast when getting up in the middle of the night...my last stay I got some tape from the check in area and taped a piece of paper over the sensor at night.

I don't regret buying there and the MF's in 2025 were under $.14/point. I think the increase this year was modest. I've seen much worse Silver/Gold deeds in Orlando

Yes! I was very impressed to see that District 2BR MFs were lower per point and had less inflation this year than my Elara bHC 2BR MFs.

 

[ernststarhemberg]

I've owned my EOY 1BR District for about 5 years and have stayed there 5-6 times, but haven't been there in the past 2 years.

Here are the things I like: 1) Location...agree with everything you posted and have taken the train from BWI to DC's Union Station and then the Metro to Dupont Circle which is about a 10-15 minute walk to the District. The Foggy Bottom Station is about the same distance. 2) The Owners Lounge provides a nice place to relax and have some extra space to eat either breakfast from the Embassy Suites downstairs or take out from restaurants. Surfside is one of my favorites. https://surfsidedc.com/dupont-menu/ There is a Owners reception in the Lounge I think every night. We just used it to have a glass of wine or beer before heading out to dinner....Can't remember what kind of appetizers they served, but some owners attacked it with elbows up. 3) Staff has been pretty engaged and helpful while I have been there. 4) Ownership gets me All Inclusive that waives all reservation fees system wide---that's probably the biggest plus for me

Things I don't like: 1) Parking can get expensive if you drive in, but I used to have family in the area and could park for free there. You can find some cheaper options using a parking app 2) Sometimes the breakfast downstairs can be crazy busy, but I am an early riser so that's not a problem for me. 3) The lights in the bathrooms were tough to figure out/manage...they have a motion sensor and would come on full blast when getting up in the middle of the night...my last stay I got some tape from the check in area and taped a piece of paper over the sensor at night.

I don't regret buying there and the MF's in 2025 were under $.14/point. I think the increase this year was modest. I've seen much worse Silver/Gold deeds in Orlando

My local airport has direct 50-minute flights into DCA. District is a 10-minute Uber ride or a short metro ride from the airport. So it’s easy to make a quick weekend trip of it.

You’re right, the parking is obscene — I think I saw that it was $70??!!

The included breakfast and happy hour (+ lounge for owners) is a nice perk. I didn’t attend any of the lobby events; they seemed well attended by the hotel guests. I’m not big on “buffet style”-anything, but I wouldn’t mind stopping by for a glass of red wine before going out.

The gym also looked nice from afar. Unfortunately, I wasn’t in town long enough to use it.

My understanding is they also have laundry facilities onsite — another bonus for longer stays.

 

[ernststarhemberg]

Is the District checkin always on the 8th floor, or is that a temporary location? What is the room with the fancy “The District” signage on the first floor at the back of the building? Is that another check in, or the sales office?

 

[Eric B]

We were owners at The District for a while, then upgraded our resale weeks to developer at The Quin. We live nearby and go into DC fairly frequently for restaurants, shows, Jazz in the Park, etc. We just closed on another resale EOY platinum deed at The District in order to be able to use the Owners Lounge there again as the breakfast and hors d'oeuvres provided there are far superior to what's available to the Embassy Suites below. The lounge is also available off hours for sodas, bottled waters, very light snacks, coffee, etc. For us, it makes sense to own there as another option for when we go into DC for something.

We do have to weigh it against things like using Hilton Honors to book the Waldorf Astoria DC, etc. It's kind of nice not having to worry about breakfast exceeding the $25 credit or where to get a light dinner. Plus it's nice having the option on the other side of DC. IMHO, The District is far superior to the Mayflower through MVC.

Is the District checkin always on the 8th floor, or is that a temporary location? What is the room with the fancy “The District” signage on the first floor at the back of the building? Is that another check in, or the sales office?

Sales - that's where you go to top up your Hilton Honors and say no.

My understanding is they also have laundry facilities onsite — another bonus for longer stays.

No idea about that - we live too close and stay too short for it to make a difference.

You’re right, the parking is obscene — I think I saw that it was $70??!!

Save yourself the $70 and the aggravation of driving in DC; neither are worth it.

My local airport has direct 50-minute flights into DCA. District is a 10-minute Uber ride or a short metro ride from the airport. So it’s easy to make a quick weekend trip of it.

DCA to the District is one of the options for your annual Lyft credit, though the metro would let you save that for elsewhere.

Check out Chef Geoff's down the street. Delicious.

There are lots of better options in DC, but if you like Chef Geoff's do it. If you're thinking about making a habit of coming to DC and want to try out the dining scene, Tasting Collective has dinners monthly where they take over a local restaurant for a get together with members for a fixed price 5-course meal. Cost is usually $79 plus tax and tip; $99 for guests of a member. They have chapters in other cities as well - we've enjoyed having the reason to try out new restaurants we wouldn't have otherwise gotten to.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

My understanding is they also have laundry facilities onsite — another bonus for longer stays.

When we stayed at District in 2018 the only laundry facilities were on the hotel side (4th floor I recall). We had a 1 bdrm BHC unit and there was no laundry in the unit. I would double check whether there is a shared laundry for owners. We were not an owner at this facility.

 

[allsun365]

In order for a resale purchase to be combined into an existing HGV account, do the names on the resale deed need to match the existing HGV deeds exactly? Can an additional name be added?

I have an Elara deed. Recently bought some Craig Lodges and was told that all the owners names had to match the Elara deed for all to go under the same HGV account. If the names are different it would generate a new HGV account number.

 

[mountainboy]

just closed on another resale EOY platinum deed at The District

I just closed on a platinum 1bd week at the District.

? price
? eBay or broker or direct from owner via LT transfer etc
TY!

 

[Eric B]

? price
? eBay or broker or direct from owner via LT transfer etc
TY!

$500 plus ~$1300 closing costs. Via Judi Koz; used LT Transfers.

 

[mountainboy]

When going to Elara bHC, I always book the lowest-tier room (either quad studio plus, 1BR plus, or 2BR plus) and get upgraded to a Premier about 90% of the time.

my Elara bHC 2BR MFs.

Maybe because you are a bHC Elara owner along with being EP?
I have clicked yes to upgrade as EP but have never really been upgraded at HGVC MarBrisa, Waikoloa (BC), Breck or PC/UT yet...
Presume you bought bHC Elara Retail (as haven't seen much resale there, yet)....

 

[mountainboy]

$500 plus ~$1300 closing costs. Via Judi Koz; used LT Transfers.

How long was the closing via LT with Judi?
(I know someone who had a suboptimal interaction with that combination...)
(Judi + Grand Vacations Title usually moves swiftly; LT moves swiftly when no broker involved but have heard slower path with Judi & LT combination but maybe they have worked their kinks out)...
TY!

 

[Eric B]

Not all that long. Biggest delay was because we were out if the country for a few weeks and couldn’t do the notarized tax docs for DC until we got back. Maybe 3 or 4 weeks other than that to get deed recorded, just waiting for HGV now.

 

[RebelR]

$500 plus ~$1300 closing costs. Via Judi Koz; used LT Transfers.

When I was looking for a district deed, I checked out her site but her closing costs were so high, like over $3k. What is the trick for getting those down?

 

[ernststarhemberg]

I have an Elara deed. Recently bought some Craig Lodges and was told that all the owners names had to match the Elara deed for all to go under the same HGV account. If the names are different it would generate a new HGV account number.

Very helpful. Thank you!

 

[mountainboy]

What is the trick for getting those down?

Use LT transfers like @Eric B (rather than Judi's preferred closing co, with higher closing costs)...
DO share your experience also on how that goes (hopefully very well, like Eric B)..
TY!

 

[mjm1]

Mjm1- Sorry, I quoted this post by accident.

$500 plus ~$1300 closing costs. Via Judi Koz; used LT Transfers.

The closing costs of $1300 don’t include the activation fee of $715 does it?