The Graham Georgetown

"Georgetown’s adults-only lounge, open daily starting at 4 p.m., continues to be a hip hangout for espresso martinis, Hermann Moser Gruner Veltliner by the glass and bottle, flatbreads, and arancini. Certain seats on the wraparound rooftop sport monument views." - Tierney Plumb, Vinciane Ngomsi

"For more affordable boutique options, consider the Graham." - Tierney Plumb

"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."

"What should we know before we go?Formerly the Monticello, the Graham underwent a complete overhaul in 2013, firmly situating it as one of Georgetown’s buzziest boutique hotel options. The 57-room hotel has a lobby that reads more like a social living room: there’s a mix of comfy seating and a fireplace, both of which invite you to stay for awhile. The good stuff: Tell us about the rooms.The rooms are large as-is, but half are suites. They’re decorated in handsome hues of taupe and grey, with upmarket touches like chic patterned wallpaper and linens from Liddell, Ireland. Bathrooms are big, too, with marble walk-in showers or luxurious soaking tubs. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.Even for non-guests, The Graham is a Georgetown hotspot, with a 3,000 square-foot rooftop space and the swanky subterranean speakeasy The Alex. Bottom line: worth it, and why?If you want to stay in Georgetown and get away from the big chains, The Graham is a perfect blend of cool and detail-oriented luxury." - Laura Ratliff

"Formerly the Monticello, the Graham underwent a complete overhaul in 2013, firmly situating it as one of Georgetown’s buzziest boutique hotel options. The 57-room hotel has a lobby that reads more like a social living room: there’s a mix of comfy seating and a fireplace, both of which invite you to stay for awhile. The rooms are large as-is, but half are suites. They’re decorated in handsome hues of taupe and grey, with upmarket touches like chic patterned wallpaper and linens from Liddell, Ireland. Bathrooms are big, too, with marble walk-in showers or luxurious soaking tubs. Even for non-guests, The Graham is a Georgetown hotspot, with a 3,000 square-foot rooftop space and the swanky subterranean speakeasy The Alex." - Sandra Ramani, Laura Ratliff