DoubleTree Bethesda switches signage to The Bethesdan Hotel (Photos)

The rebranding of the DoubleTree Bethesda is pretty close to official. Exterior signage is now changing over to The Bethesdan Hotel. The property, which is owned by the Bernstein Companies, remains in the Hilton portfolio, It is now within Hilton's Tapestry Collection, instead of DoubleTree by Hilton.

Work continues in the new Leo & Liv restaurant inside the hotel. Dining tables are being loaded in, so they must be nearing the finish line.

DoubleTree Bethesda conversion to The Bethesdan Hotel nearing completion (Photos)

The transition of the DoubleTree Bethesda hotel to The Bethesdan Hotel is almost official. Construction on the Leo & Liv restaurant inside is in the home stretch, as you can see in these photos. The lobby transformation is also nearing completion.

It's exciting to see the restaurant space now perfectly resembling the renderings shown in the past. You can see a counter installed for the "grab and go" 24-hour food offerings (it actually has a construction note reading, "Grab & Go," on it) which will include fresh products from downtown Bethesda businesses, in keeping with the Tapestry by Hilton emphasis on hotels that reflect the local community they are in. Henry's Sweet Retreat is one of the first local businesses to come on-board for the grab-and-go menu.

Construction note scribbled on counter
reads, "Bethesda Hilton - Grab & Go"

Almost there...

Leo & Liv restaurant under construction

Leo & Liv

New and old-school luggage carts

 

More details on Leo & Liv restaurant coming to The Bethesdan Hotel

Earlier this morning, I reported that the new Leo & Liv restaurant opening this fall at the future The Bethesdan Hotel (currently the DoubleTree Bethesda) would be making its Taste of Bethesda debut in October. Coincidentally, I just received some more details about the restaurant. It is being described as a "craft restaurant," serving American cuisine with a Mediterranean "twist."

While some may have hoped it was a 90s-themed restaurant named after Leonardo DiCaprio and Liv Tyler, the meaning behind the moniker is a bit more obvious. Its name was inspired by property owner The Bernstein Companies' founder, Leo Bernstein. Leo & Liv will pay tribute to "the verve with which he approached life," the company says. It's also in keeping with Hilton's concept of each Tapestry Collection property being unique and representative of its local community.

Leo & Liv will play many roles in the new hotel. The restaurant will serve breakfast and dinner in a sit-down setting. For lunch, and 24-hours-a-day, it will offer "grab-and-go" lunch items under the name Leo & Go. And for early evening happy hours, it will mix up cocktails and local beers and wines - along with "light bites" as BFD: But First Drinks by Leo & Liv. There will also be a private dining room available for events.

DoubleTree Bethesda conversion to The Bethesdan continues (Photos)

Painters changing the exterior color of the DoubleTree Bethesda have moved to the front of the hotel, which is being rebranded as The Bethesdan Hotel. The property will remain in the Hilton hotel group, but is switching to its Tapestry Collection portfolio.

DoubleTree Bethesda transforming into The Bethesdan Hotel (Video+Photos)

The long-expected conversion of the DoubleTree Bethesda hotel into The Bethesdan hotel officially began Monday. Workers began removing the DoubleTree by Hilton signage from the facade, including the sign near the front entrance. A crew of painters then began repainting the exterior of the hotel, including the Woodmont Avenue side above the former Yacht Club of Bethesda space.

While the name is changing, the hotel is remaining a Hilton property. It is simply moving from the DoubleTree brand into Hilton's new Tapestry Collection, which emphasizes unique standalone properties with local character, rather than finding the same uniform design at every location worldwide. Leo & Liv will be a new restaurant at the hotel, which hopes to add at least one other tenant, possibly a coffee shop. The hotel is owned by the Bernstein Companies.

New mural being painted at DoubleTree Bethesda hotel (Photos)

A new mural is being painted on the south wall of the DoubleTree Bethesda hotel, near the corner of Cordell and Wisconsin Avenues. It's an interesting location, because directly below the wall is a tiny restaurant that was once home to the famous Little Tavern. Constructed in 1955, it is one of the few that remain of the hamburger chain's distinctive buildings in the region. What do you think about the murals that have been painted around downtown Bethesda in recent years?

New lobby at DoubleTree Bethesda to be completed next month

The renovated lobby at the DoubleTree Bethesda hotel should be completed in about a month, an employee of the hotel said. Renovations throughout the rest of the building will be complete by fall, that employee said, at which time the Hilton property will officially be renamed The Bethesdan Hotel.

Current lobby photo

Under the new name, the hotel will switch brands to become part of Hilton's Tapestry Collection. The conversion will include a new restaurant, Leo & Liv.

Current lobby photo