Washington, D.C.

Hotels in Washington, D.C., have been working hard to overcome their city's reputation as the all-work-no-play drone of the East Coast. Stuffiness is now trumped by buzzy modernity; even old-school power spots like the St. Regis (formerly the Carlton) have transitioned from fusty and overwrought to serenely elegant. The boutique hotel scene has evolved too, from quirky (the Hotel Monaco and Hotel George) to sophisticated, with the opening of the modish Donovan House. Of course, a trip to Washington is a trip through American history, and hotels such as the Hay-Adams—once a salon for the likes of Mark Twain and Teddy Roosevelt and now a happy-hour spot for White House staffers—and the Willard, where Lincoln stayed before his inauguration, play their roles with gusto.

Though Washington is a relatively compact city, location does matter. Many of the top luxury hotels, including the Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, and one of the four area Ritz-Carltons, are located in and around leafy Georgetown. Though that is one of the city's most idyllic neighborhoods, the lack of Metro access means you'll have to rely on cabs to get around. Staying downtown or in the Penn Quarter will put you near some of the city's best restaurants and nightlife and within walking distance of the National Mall. For a more laid-back vibe, consider Thomas and Dupont circles, home to boutique properties like Kimpton's Hotel Rouge and charming B&Bs such as Swann House.

Washington, D.C., hotels can be a great deal for weekend travelers. Luxury hotel rates fall by as much as 50 percent when business and political visitors head home and hotel restaurants fill with local residents (some of the city's top restaurants are hotel-based, including Alain Ducasse's Adour in the St. Regis, CityZen in the Mandarin Oriental, and Blue Duck Tavern in the Park Hyatt). Great deals also abound when Congress is in recess during late August and over the winter holidays.