Capella So Luxe It Requires Several DebutsApril 10, 2013

A few floral ribbon-cuttings later, the Georgetown Capella is settling into its intimate spot on 31st Street, next to the C&O Canal. The 49-room boutique hotel aims for the top, as it touts its service, restaurant, amenities and architecture. It already has made a splash with several invitation-only parties and has been open since March 22.

A March 29 debut brought out Mayor Vincent Gray, other notables and business investors. An April 3 reception also invited the media and neighborhood leaders to see the rooms and sample some bites.

The Capella touts its Grill Room and Rye Bar with chef Jakob Esko. The canal- front patio with tables is a standout. Each guest gets a personal assistant; rooms look like perfectly appointed condos.

Founded by former Ritz Carlton COO Horst Schulze, the company has other Capella properties in Singapore, Dusseldorf, Ixtapa, and Cabo San Lucas. The company plans to open hotels in Sochi, Russia, Riviera Maya, Mexico, and Bangkok.