Downtown D.C.
Beacon Hotel and Corporate Quarters
The Beacon shines forth out of a $20-million renovation of the Governor's House, a hotel built in the refurbished home of a former governor of Pennsylvania. This elegant hotel now boasts 139 deluxe rooms, 52 “corporate,” and 8 deluxe suites. The hotel has the kinds of amenities you'd expect in an upscale hotel, plus fee-based video-games, high-speed Internet, DVD players, and a fitness center. It is within walking distance of many of the city's popular attractions. The hip, new on-site restaurant, The Beacon Bar & Grill, features “playful” nouvelle cuisine, serving three meals a day and a Champagne Sunday Brunch. Families note: The bar and restaurant are discreetly separated. Now here are the surprises: Despite the name, the Beacon is a great hotel for families, and it courts leisure travelers as much as road warriors. Second surprise: Although you will see rates quoted from $139 to the stratosphere, the Beacon is an aggressive marketer and constantly offers promotions of every kind. In the summer, it offers rooms for $1 a day with one day at listed rate. That brought it down to the budget category. It has also offered discount coupons on the Web site. Valet parking is an additional $24 a day.
Henley Park Hotel
Once an elegant apartment building, the Henley Park is now a gracefully restored ninety-six-room hotel with 118 gargoyles on its façade (including the faces of the architect and his wife). The rooms are large and nicely decorated, with two-line speaker phones, cable TV, and nonsmoking floors, as well as a terry bathrobe, coffeemaker, hair dryer, and iron. Other hotel amenities include free newspaper and shoeshine, nightly turndown service with chocolates, and a free limousine service in the morning. The hotel restaurant, Coeur de Lion, serving New American fare, is one of the best hotel restaurants in the city, and hors d'oeuvres are served along with live entertainment Friday and Saturday night at the Blue Bar. There is also a fireside afternoon tea in the Wilkes Room, which has stained-glass windows and original Mercer tile floors.
The hotel is within walking distance of the National Gallery, Ford's Theatre, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and Chinatown. Published rates start at $175 for a single and $195 for a double, but there is a $93 summer promotion rate. Major credit cards are accepted. The closest Metro station is about five blocks away.
You may be able to save even more money if you book a reservation directly with a hotel by asking if it has package deals and/or if it can offer you a meal plan.
Hotel Helix
This Kimpton hotel is a great place for families with teens and preteens; in fact, kids are encouraged — there's even a special “Bring 'em Along” package offered. It's unbelievably hip, with a giant painting of Magritte's businessman in a bowler hat on the outside of the building. There's a great lounge that serves up a contemporary menu
Although there is plenty of nightlife in Washington, most of the better hotels have highly recommended lounges where you can hear piano and/or jazz, and some even have dancing. Among those that stand out are the Grand Hyatt, Henley Park, Channel Inn Hotel, Bethesda Marriott, Kinkead's, One Washington Circle Hotel, the Phoenix Park Hotel, and the Hilton Mclean Tyson Corner.
There's a continental breakfast in the morning with bagels and cereal. Room rates are about $125, slightly more for a king and more for the bunk suite, but there are always specials. There are terrific “bunk bed” suites that have a second room for the kids, but these are limited, so reserve ahead. All Kimpton hotels are pet-friendly; parking is an additional $27 per night. All major credit cards accepted.
Hotel Harrington
The last of its kind in Washington D.C., this family-owned and-operated hotel has been serving traveling families since 1914. It has a great location and good rooms at an affordable price. No problem with food: There's an Ollie's Trolley, a hotel restaurant, and a sandwich and snack place in the building. It is right in the heart of things, easy walking to most of the city's main attractions. The Harrington offers adjoining family rooms for $169. Doubles are $125, and underground parking costs $10 a day. There are often price promotions, so check. The Web site is great and offers a free activities guide for kids and parents. Major credit cards are accepted.
Morrison-Clark Inn
This hotel was once two separate townhouses, which have been joined to create this unique inn, the only city inn to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. From 1923 until the 1980s, the site was the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen's Club. Some rooms are small, but they are elegantly detailed and furnished with wonderful antiques. There are transformed carriage houses on the first floor, which offer spacious accommodations, and some rooms feature fireplaces, pier mirrors, and wrought-iron ceiling medallions. Hotel amenities include nightly turndown service with chocolates, free morning newspaper, complimentary small fitness center (open twenty-four hours with your room key), and a minibar in every room. Babysitting service is available. The hotel restaurant is nationally acclaimed and offers fabulous contemporary American cuisine, including great desserts.
The two most important elements in choosing your accommodations in D.C. should be location and price. Of course, if you are traveling as a family or visiting the city on business, there might be additional amenities that you will want (such as a pool or Wi-Fi). Even if you are coming by car, try to find a hotel near a Metro station.
The Morrison-Clark is within walking distance of the National Gallery, Ford's Theatre, Verizon Center, and the Convention Center. Published room rates are $175 for a deluxe double room and $325 for an exquisite Victorian double room, but there is a summer rate. Major credit cards are accepted.
Washington Plaza
A little off the beaten track, but trying to be family-friendly, the Washington Plaza offers many family-oriented activities in the summer, such as periodic Friday night poolside barbecues (check on dates). Originally a resort, the Plaza was recently renovated, and this large hotel (339 rooms) brings back the international style of the 1960s in its lobby furnished with Mies van der Rohe chairs. Rooms are large, with in-room coffeemakers. Other amenities include twicedaily maid service, twenty-four-hour room service, and a morning paper.
Winter is a wonderful time to see Washington because the city has gone all-out to make it a tourist delight with their Holiday Homecoming promotion. From December 1 (the lighting of the national tree) through the end of February, you can get 50 percent discounts and more on accommodations, attractions, tours, and performances. Plan early! For details, call 1-800-422-8644 or log on to
There is nightly jazz in the plaza lounge, free American breakfast buffet, and a fitness center.
While the highest published rate is $299, in reality it ranges from $99 up, so check it out. Major credit cards are accepted. Self-parking is an additional $18 a night, $22 for valet.
