Art Gallery and Guest House

Smack in the heart of historical Washington, D.C. is the enchanting and awe-inspiring DC GuestHouse, which fairly overflows with rare artwork, kitsch, and personality. You’ll feel like you are spending the night in the movie “A Night at the Museum,” what with art-sensory overload and eclectic pieces like the Ming wooden statue from the late 1400s, a 3,000-year-old African stone carving, and glass pieces by sculptor Dale Chihuly. There are only seven rooms in this house, each with its own personality and flavor, and they book up fast. The sheets smell so good, you’ll want to bury yourself in the pillows and never come out. The four owners are the house’s “curators,” who also take up residence, greet guests, and prepare daily breakfast that is always a surprise. The house also attracts a unique clientele from celebrities and artists to business travelers and politicians who all enjoy cultural conversation and networking over breakfast.

1337 10th St., NW
202-332-2502
www.dcguesthouse.com

Making Scents

The cherry trees in the lobby may be sculpted, but the fragrance throughout the sleek Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. is genuine and ubiquitous–wafting in hallways, enlivening the restaurant, delighting in the public rooms, and accentuating as part of the bathroom amenities. Even the candles sold in the hotel shop carry this refined signature scent, a mixture of orange and rose to patchouli and sandalwood. Another mixture worth noting are the Park Hyatt rooms, which are the work of New York designer Tony Chi and offer blended oak, limestone, and black walnut for a smart but warm take on oversized center city accommodations.
1201 24th St. NW
202-789-1234
www.parkwashington.hyatt.com

Hanging Out

What looks like a demure Victorian B&B turns out to be a hotel-of-choice for D.C.’s hip travelers. Adam’s Inn is aptly named, given that the Adams Morgan neighborhood’s cool cafes and edgy boutiques are just around the corner. Popular amenities within this cozy retreat are the TV room with its roaring fire, a garden, and a back porch perfect for meeting other guests who have traveled from all over the globe. Warning: With only 26 rooms–more than half with private bathrooms–and a student-friendly price starting at $99 that includes breakfast, book well in advance.
1746 Lanier Pl. NW
(202) 745-3600
www.adamsinn.com

Pressing Engagement

The vintage alarm clocks at The Fairfax at Embassy Row may be decidedly old-school, but the experience here is anything but. A special temptation for visiting diplomats and civilians who like to stay connected: a service called NewspaperDirect, delivering more than 600 newspapers and magazines from 73 countries, published in about 40 languages. Simply let the Fairfax concierge know your language and publication of choice, then be prepared for your morning dose of daily news.
2100 Massachusetts Ave. NW
(202) 293-2100
www.starwoodhotels.com

By George

The George on Capitol Hill may be named for the Father of Our Country, but it is far from fatherly. This 139-room boutique hotel is chic with a lobby grand piano, distinctive modern art (i.e., Warhol protégé Steve Kaufman’s giant oil of George Washington), and five-foot granite-topped desks with ergonomic Keilhauer chairs. Favorite spot on the premises: the Inspiration Room, a mid-century-inspired retreat next to the lobby with flat screen TV, oversized windows, and sumptuous seating nooks for small confabs.
15 E. St. NW
(202) 347-4200
www.hotelgeorge.com

Southern Soul

Power diners congregate at the 343-room The Liaison Capitol Hill hotel’s Art and Soul restaurant, which specializes in Southern-infused regional cuisine. During good weather, the rooftop pool is ideal for casual get-togethers. And at the end of the day, enjoy one of the biggest treats of all: six different pillow choices: buckwheat, down, hypoallergenic, magnetic therapy, sound, and Swedish memory. Comfort is assured.
415 New Jersey Ave. NW
(202) 638-1616
www.affinia.com

Red, Right, and Green

From the red leather headboards to the ruby red wax lips in the mini bar, red is a haute theme at Hotel Rouge. Still, at this whimsical downtown retreat, green is proving to be the new red. Thanks to more than three-dozen eco-friendly products and practices-from the exclusive use of non-toxic cleaning products to the energy-efficient light bulbs and recycled paper-the hotel also fosters a Earth-friendly premise. Another red-hot perk for Hotel Rouge’s environmentally correct guests: Reduced parking rates for anyone driving a hybrid. What a gas.

1315 16th St. NW
202-232-8000
www.rougehotel.com

Cheerful Proximity

While awaiting his inauguration, Barack Obama called this rarified Renaissance retreat home. Smart move: There’s no place closer to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. than the 145-room The Hay-Adams, whose slogan is, “Where nothing is overlooked but the White House.” Doubters need only venture to the hotel’s Rooftop Terrace, where proximity to the Executive Mansion requires guests to have Secret Service clearance.

800 16th St. NW
202-638-6600
www.hayadams.com