"Why we love it: A socially conscious spot that connects like-minded travelers The Highlights: - Inspiring community vibe - Comfortable, well-thought-out rooms - A critically acclaimed on-site restaurant The Review: Founded by third-generation hotelier Katherine Lo (her family runs the upscale,Hong Kong–based Langham group), the Eaton brand aims to bring together travelers, locals, and members who share a like-minded sensibility—namely, one centered on creativity, awareness, and making change. As with Eaton’s Hong Kong location, the D.C. outpost—the first in the U.S.—fosters new ideas by providing private and communal working spaces, areas designed to inspire connection and conversation, and a regular calendar of programming. Those checking in among all this buzz can choose from five comfortable room categories, from cabins to suites. All have a “global nomad” vibe, with colorful textile accents, Himalayan salt lamps, and organic cotton-and-latex pillow-top mattresses, along with Grown Alchemist bath products, healthy mini-bars, Bluetooth speakers, and USB charge points. Some, like the Artist Studios, have wall canvases where you can leave your lasting mark. Once settled in, gather with others at the on-site American Son restaurant (Chef Tim Ma’s Asian-accented spot), enjoy wellness treatments and classes, or do whatever else helps get spark your imagination."

"An elegant icon of the D.C. hotel scene, the Four Seasons straddles the line between Georgetown and Foggy Bottom. Perched at the top of Pennsylvania Avenue (yes, same as the President)this luxury retreat has one foot firmly planted in refined Georgetown society while the other flirts with Foggy Bottom’s power-playing politicos. Long the pied-à-terre of choice for visiting dignitaries and magnates alike, the hotel does classic, five-star luxury like few others—this is the Four Seasons, after all—with anything-you-want service, a spa and fitness with a two-lane saline pool and jacuzzi. There’s also the kind of wood-paneled steakhouse where back-channel deals are struck, and a private art collection worthy of any socialite’s Georgetown townhouse. The presidential suites guarantee plenty of VIP treatment, but even plebeians feel like royalty (or, at least, special advisors) in the rooms outfitted with custom wood furniture, heavy drapes, and views of the Potomac and the monuments. All you need now is a security detail."

"In a city that takes itself so seriously—running the United States is an intense business, after all—the Hotel Madera is a breath of fresh air. Just a couple of leafy blocks from always-lively Dupont Circle, the Kimpton-run boutique hotel looks like a 1960s apartment building on the outside, belying interiors adorned in colorful, batik-inspired fabrics and perks like in-room yoga mats and an evening wine hour. In other words, the Madera is the kind of place where you relax. The laid-back and trendy restaurant takes its design cues from a fairy-tale forest, and pets are as catered to as children and bachelorette groups. It’s hard to beat the Dupont Circle location, too, which puts the White House, the Kennedy Center, and trendy neighborhoods like Logan Circle and U Street all within throwing distance. No, it’s not the fanciest stay in town, but D.C. doesn’t need another fussy hotel to attract visiting dignitaries—and you’ll have more fun at the Madera, anyway."

"Why we love it: A funky hotel that caters to the young, hip, and Instagram-obsessed The Highlights: - Instagrammable design around every corner - Spacious, comfy common areas with plenty of connectivity - Affordable bunkbed rooms for guests on a budget The Review: At D.C.’s Moxy, the fun begins at check-in, which takes place at the bar rather than a stodgy front desk. Along with their room key, guests receive a signature cocktail, setting the tone for a wholly different type of hotel stay. Here, the focus is on meeting new people and having a good time, which is reflected in the property’s cheeky, Instagram-ready design. In the lobby, installations and wall art by local artist Michael Crossett complement concrete floors and exposed columns. A video installation by international artist Rahul Jhad, who won the Moxy’s #BlankCanvas competition, adds color, while games like Jenga and foosball (and a mechanical toy horse that guests are encouraged to ride) bring the fun. A quiet “library zone” does exist, but the lively bar might prove too distracting. Rooms are small by design—the common areas are where it’s at—but include glass-enclosed bathrooms, plus functional details like motion-sensor lighting and pegs for hanging clothes. For those looking to cut costs and room with a friend, there are even cozy double rooms, complete with twin bunkbeds and adjustable bedside tables. When it comes to dining, options are limited to continental breakfast and grab-and-go items in the on-site convenience store, but some of D.C.’s best restaurants are a short walk away."

"Between all the hip restaurants, historic structures, and political intrigues, it’s easy to forget that Washington started out as farmland, surrounded by small, rural communities in one of the young nation’s most fertile regions. The Park Hyatt Washington, though, hasn’t forgotten. One soure of inspiration for the luxury hotel is from the artisans and farmers of the Mid-Atlantic, including the purveyors of local foods (listed next to each menu item in the restaurant). Each room includes a collection of books on American crafts and heritage, for those who wish to edify themselves further. Throw in luxury touches like Le Labo toiletries, a town car service, and sleek and private all-glass booths in the bar (for those backroom political deals, of course), and it’s no wonder the hotel is a favorite of culture buffs and high-flying politicians alike."

"Once upon a time, over-the-top luxury was only for royalty. When Rosewood opened its first mid-Atlantic outpost along the historic C&O Canal in Georgetown, however, it offered exclusive decadence to, well, everyone else. From the moment you book a room, you enter a rarified world where your every whim can be fulfilled. A personal assistant will call in advance to set a check-in time (whenever is convenient for you) and take any special requests for your minibar and room. Upon arrival, the staff welcomes you by name, and nearly everything comes included, from the nonalcoholic minibar to clothes pressing. Much of the hotel is open only to guests—the rooftop bar, pool, and boutique gym with panoramic views of the monuments, as well as the library-like Living Room, with its floor-to-ceiling onyx fireplace and art deco chairs that beg for heavy conversations, which only accentuates the feeling of a private club. Even arriving at the acclaimed Cut by Wolfgang Puck for a reservation (because reservations are necessary at this D.C. hot spot) is a matter of understanding; the host simply welcomes you and leads you to your table, nary a glance at a list nor a request for your name."

"The Darcy is high on style and also loaded with substance, thanks its eye-popping design, contemporary art collection, and free amenities that make every guest feel like a VIP. Kids can check out a Darcy Daypack full of items chosen to encourage a space or art-themed adventure in the city. Gentlemen can take advantage of the in-house haberdashery service to borrow or buy a pair of cufflinks or accessory, or have a whole suit custom-tailored in their room. A bike and scooter rental helps guests explore beyond the trendy Logan Circle neighborhood, while a nightly happy hour gives a taste of local grain-to-glass Green Hat gin. The swank captain’s quarters of Siren Restaurant serves a seasonal seafood menu, raw bar and caviar service, and craft cocktails, while the Lil’B Coffee Bar goes full Southern with a day menu of espresso drinks and New Orleans favorites."

"With its 2014 renovation, the Donovan, a Kimpton hotel, injected a sense of fun and whimsy into the neighborhood’s boxy buildings with its sleek chrome-and-leather lobby and rooftop pool bar. Named for “Wild” Bill Donovan, the founder of CIA predecessor the OSS, the hotel subtly takes its cues from glamorous secret agents, and an Asian-inspired decor derives from some of Donovan’s favorite destinations. Rooms are slick and clean-lined, with just a hint of mid-century modernism in the egg-chair seating and canopy-style leather headboards. The trendy Zentan—its name taken from the Mandarin word for “spy”—is a popular spot for staffers to gather after work over fresh sushi and hard-to-find sake, while its rooftop sibling, DNV, becomes one of the area’s hottest nightlife spots in the warmer months. The Donovan isn’t just looks, though; like at all Kimpton hotels, hospitality is key, and the staff here bends over backward for kids, pets, and discerning adults alike, with a wide range of perks that run the gamut from in-room yoga mats to daily happy hours."

"Why we love it: An elegant stay where guests hobnob with D.C.’s best and brightest The Highlights: - The recently renovated—and thoroughly stylish—lobby, bar, and restaurant - Spectacular new rooftop suites with heated terraces - A prime location in one of D.C.’s finest neighborhoods The Review: Fortunes and friendships change quickly in D.C., but leafy Dupont Circle, with its charming shops and trendy restaurants, has yet to go out of style. Perched right on the circle itself, within walking distance of several desirable D.C. spots, The Dupont Circle Hotel takes pride of place, rivaled only by 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It’s no surprise, then, that the hotel’s new Martin Brudnizki-designed restaurant, The Pembroke—which features plush velvet banquettes, chic marble tables, and an expansive outdoor terrace—and the walnut-and-brass clad Doyle bar are see-and-be-seen spots for everyone from staffers to diplomats (Embassy Row is just around the corner, too). That the food is top-notch, the wine list impressive, and the scotch fit for cigar-swilling politicians is a bonus. There’s also Doyle & Co, the new coffee and chocolate bar where guests and locals alike can grab a quick refresher. Sleek and sultry rooms take similar advantage of their surroundings, most with large windows overlooking the circle. Upstairs, the Rooftop Floor was recently transformed by Irish design team Clodagh to include an elaborate penthouse and 13 other suites with enormous heated terraces overlooking the Washington Monument. Clodagh also redesigned the lobby, which is exclusive to guests and features the look and feel of a high-end apartment, thanks to details like a cozy fireplace and a look-through bookcase with brass accents. Best of all, though, is the feeling of walking out the front door in the morning and knowing that the capital is at your doorstep."

"The white-bricked Embassy Row Hotel has been catering to visiting dignitaries and diplomats since 1970, and a massive renovation in 2015 brought refreshed retro rooms, a rooftop pool, and a new lobby-level restaurant and coffee shop. Cheerful rooms are done up in deep blue and bright yellow and in-room massages and spa treatments can be arranged. Dogs are welcomed with no fee and optional curated treats from BarkBox. Station Kitchen & Cocktails (named for the nearby Dupont Circle streetcar station, now a subterranean art space) aims to be an all-day hangout spot, from morning coffee by Swing’s Coffee Roasters—a D.C. fixture for a century—to evening bottled cocktails and burgers. In summer, there’s no hotter spot in Dupont Circle than the rooftop pool and lounge with panoramic city views and an innovative aqua-cycling fitness class that puts a new spin on spinning. The hotel is rooted in the community, regularly supporting local charities and arranging behind-the-scenes tours of the consulate neighbors."

"A city crammed with ambitious young staffers willing toworklong hours in hopes of shaping the country, Washington is a place that works hard and plays hard. One of the newest additions to its burgeoning boutique hotel scene, the Graham—its name a tribute to inventor Alexander Graham Bell—honors that tradition in retro-inflected style. The rooftop bar is a glam scene where the beautiful and powerful come out to play against the backdrop of the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial. The sultry downstairs restaurant–cocktail bar plays on the neighborhood’s historic aesthetic and the Mid-Atlantic region’s cuisine to attract discerning locals and visiting lobbyists. Rooms—mostly suites, of course—are pleasantly trendier than the District is used to, but bold pops of color and midcentury-inspired lines are balanced out by patterned wallpaper and elegant marble bathrooms that add a familiar dose of homey Southern style. Throw in a just-off-M-Street location, and the Graham just might be the quintessential Georgetown hotel."

"Not everyone gets to live across the street from the White House. Before the current Italian-Renaissance hotel was constructed in 1927, the prime real estate was occupied by the homes of two little-known American icons: John Hay—personal secretary to Abraham Lincoln, ambassador to the United Kingdom, and Secretary of State under both William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt—and Henry Adams, Harvard professor and great-grandson of John Adams. Their houses were hubs of D.C. culture for decades at the turn of the last century, and so, when the Hay-Adams opened, it was only logical that the hotel would continue that tradition. Washingtonians play at the sultry bar scene, everyone from Amelia Earhart to the Obamas has stayed in its elegantly Old World rooms overlooking historic Lafayette Square and the White House beyond, and the hotel is known for its discreet and comprehensive, no-questions-asked service. Should guests need a ride to one of the District’s many important meetings, the houseMercedes drops off anywhere downtown, guaranteeing a first impression worthy of a luminary. Though if you insisted on the meeting coming to you, no Beltway insider would mind."

"The Jefferson Upon waking in a sumptuous suite at the Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson himself might be perplexed; why, he might wonder, can he see the Washington Monument from a room that appears to belong in Monticello, his Virginia country estate? The textiles adorning the furniture and draped around the windows seem like those he brought back from Paris , the carved wooden tables and pastoral artwork could outfit his own home. His confusion can be credited to the designers of the Jefferson, a 1923 Beaux-Arts landmark (long known as the “White House North” for its parade of notable guests) transformed in 2009 into an homage to the third American president in the form of a luxury boutique hotel. Every detail has been attended to, from the parquet floors in the cocktail bar—recreated according to Jefferson’s designs for Monticello’s salon—to the guests-only Book Room, a refined library inspired by Jefferson’s own book room at Monticello and whose bookshelves are filled with leather-bound editions of his favorite volumes."

"Why we love it: A hip hotel that pushes past the politics The Highlights: - Three restaurants, two bars, and a coffee shop from acclaimed local chefs - Prime Adams Morgan location in the center of D.C.’s nightlife - Robust activity calendar filled with readings, fitness classes, and artist events The Review: Hotel hitmakers the Sydell Group opened the second location of their LINE brand in an old church in D.C.’s lively Adams Morgan neighborhood, known for its music venues, bars, and late-night food options. The hotel brings some serious culinary cache to the hood, tapping acclaimed local chefs Spike Gjerde (who has a James Beard Award under his belt) and Erik Bruner-Yang (who was a James Beard semifinalist in 2016) for its multiple restaurants, bars, and café. Gjerde and his bar director Corey Polyoka run game-focused restaurant A Rake’s Progress and A Rake’s Bar, as well as lobby coffee bar The Cup We All Race 4, while Bruner-Yang runs Brothers and Sisters and Spoken English—the chef’s interpretation of a Japanese tachinomiya , a standing-room-only bar. The hotel is housed in a neoclassical church and incorporates its original 60-foot vaulted ceilings, organ pipes that have been repurposed into an architectural chandelier, and pews that now function as public seating. The 220 rooms have a variety of comfy layouts and sport a contemporary design with brass bedframes and linen, leather, and granite accents, as well as mini libraries curated by a local bookstore and artwork and photography by local artists. Truly making an effort to be part of the community, the hotel houses an Internet radio and podcast station broadcasting from a lounge inside the lobby, a robust fitness program with a variety of classes, and the Adams Morgan Community Center, which comprises an official satellite branch of the D.C. library system as well as exhibition space for local artists and meeting rooms for area nonprofits."

"Considering its pop-art aesthetic and high-tech perks, it’s hard to believe the W Washington D.C. was built in 1917. Okay, so that’s not exactly true; the elegant building spent most of its life as the Hotel Washington—an Old World landmark whose location next to the White House, overlooking the National Mall, made it one of the District’s most popular pieds-à-terre for politicians and celebrities. Presidential balls have been held in the grand halls, parts of The Godfather: Part II were filmed on the rooftop terrace, and Elvis and President Nixon met here. These days, in its incarnation as the W, the hotel projects a more modern vision of glamour, complementing the historic Beaux-Arts architecture with colorful lighting, and street art–style murals. The rooms are less flashy, but gilded mirrors, tufted velvet couches, and large windows looking out on the Mall guarantee they’re no less glamorous. And, while its look has changed, the rooftop bar is still one of the hottest spots in town, thanks to its unparalleled views; with the White House and the Washington Monument both looming nearby, it’s like having a drink with the President."