Washington DC is the capital of the United States. Washington DC hotels are close to attractions in the Washington DC area. Many museums having to do with the history of the United States are in the Mall area.

The Smithsonian is a collection of museums and among those museums are:

• Air and Space Museum
• African Art
• American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery
• American History
• American Indian
• National Zoo
• National History
• Postal Museum
• Portrait Gallery
• Arts and Industry

No matter where you stay in Washington DC you are close to attractions, museums and restaurants.

For a luxurious stay, try the Willard Inter-Continental hotel. This hotel is located downtown, and is within walking distance to the White House, Smithsonian museums, National Theater, and is right down the street from the Capitol. Available in every room is wireless and high-speed internet, a refrigerated mini-bar, 24-hour private dining, complimentary shoeshine and a complimentary newspaper. After touring the city, stop by the The Willard Room for a taste of fine dining. Don't leave your children or pets home for this vacation, the hotel offers children packages, a babysitting service and also allows pets.

The Hay-Adams Hotel 800 16th Street Northwest Washington, DC 20006 (202) 638-6600 www.hayadams.com

• • Condé Nast Traveler Gold List: "Across Lafayette Square from the White House, the former residence of politician John Hay and author Henry Adams has "beautiful rooftop city views." Rooms feature carved plaster ceilings and custom Italian beds with Frette linens."

• • Frommer's Very Highly Recommended: "Its architecture is Italian Renaissance and much of the original features, such as ornate plaster moldings and ornamental fireplaces, the walnut-paneled lobby, and high-ceilinged guest rooms, are still in place."

• • Fodor's Choice: "The elegant boutique hotel offers outstanding personalized service, and the White House views from rooms on the sixth, seventh, and eighth floors are stunning."

The Ritz-Carlton 1150 22nd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037 United States Phone: (202) 835-0500 www.ritzcarlton.com

• • Condé Nast Traveler Gold List: "The hotel, built on the site of an incinerator, has fiery interiors of red, orange, and yellow. Rooms offer views of Georgetown and the river; limestone-and-slate bathrooms have soaking tubs."

• • Frommer's Exceptional Rating: "The hotel is built around a multi-tiered Japanese garden and courtyard with reflecting pools and cascading waterfall; guest rooms on the inside of the complex overlook the waterfall or terraced garden, while guest rooms on the outside perimeter view landmarks and cityscapes."

• • Fodor's Choice: "The more traditional of Washington's two Ritz-Carltons, this elegant hotel pampers guests with formal, attentive service and luxurious amenities."

The Ritz-Carlton (Georgetown) 3100 South Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007 United States Phone: (202) 912-4100 www.ritzcarlton.com

• • Condé Nast Traveler Gold List: "The hotel, built on the site of an incinerator, has fiery interiors of red, orange, and yellow. Rooms offer views of Georgetown and the river; limestone-and-slate bathrooms have soaking tubs."

• • Frommer's Very Highly Recommended: "The Georgetown Ritz is a sophisticated property, exclusively small (only 86 rooms), and designed to feel like a refuge in the middle of wild and woolly Georgetown."

• • Travel + Leisure 500 Winner: "A tranquil urban-chic oasis in the middle of Georgetown."

Willard Intercontinental 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20004 (202) 628-9100 http://washington.intercontinental.com

• • Concierge.com Recommendation: "Marble columns, mirrored panels, mosaic floors, and ornate chandeliers abound, along with lavish curtains and tufted settees in the 341 rooms and suites."

• • Frommer's Exceptional Rating: "If you stay here, be sure to stroll Peacock Alley, the elegant corridor leading straight back from the lobby, to view the exhibit of photos and memorabilia that tell the hotel's story."

• • Travel + Leisure 500 Winner: "A grand, historic property with a new sustainability mandate (it's 100 percent wind-powered and uses only compact fluorescent bulbs) that outpaces other D.C. hotels."

The Four Seasons Georgetown 2800 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. Washington, DC U.S.A. Phone: 1 (202) 342-0444 www.fourseasons.com/washington/

• • Condé Nast Traveler Gold List: "Set in the heart of Georgetown near the C&O canal, this hotel highlights its 2,000-piece art collection-which includes pieces by outsider artist Raymond Materson-with sage and mauve color schemes."

• • Frommer's Exceptional Rating: "The new decor includes custom-crafted furniture and color schemes of either celadon or purple. Most rooms have sleeper sofas, and all have 32" plasma-screen high-density televisions."

• • Fodor's Choice: "Impeccable service and a wealth of amenities have long made this a favorite with celebrities, hotel connoisseurs, and families alike."

Hotel Monaco Washington DC 700 F Street Northwest Washington, DC 20004 (202) 628-7177 www.monaco-dc.com

• • Condé Nast Traveler Gold List: "Set in the heart of Georgetown near the C&O canal, this hotel highlights its 2,000-piece art collection-which includes pieces by outsider artist Raymond Materson-with sage and mauve color schemes."

• • Frommer's Exceptional Rating: "The spacious guest rooms, similarly, combine historic and hip. Their vaulted ceilings are high (12 ft.-18 ft.) and windows are long, hung with charcoal and white patterned drapes."

With a decor that favors candy colors, lava lamps in the rooms, king-sized bunk beds and round mirrors, the Hotel Helix is funky and fun. If you need help planning your days, ask the hotel's concierge, they will help with tours, dining and activities. Pamper yourself with the in-room spa service, this includes massages, facial treatments and hand and foot treatments. Finish your evening in the hotel's Helix Lounge and enjoy a fabulous menu of contemporary dishes.

Hotel Helix Washington DC 1430 Rhode Island Ave NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 462-9001 www.hotelhelix.com

• • Frommer's Highly Recommended: "The giant, peacock-blue English lawn chairs and the Magritte-like painting out front are just the beginning. Your steps across a mosaic-tiled vestibule trigger an automatic swoosh of curtains, parting to let you inside the hotel."

• • Lonely Planet Recommended: "You half expect to find Willy Wonka or Dr Seuss in the next room at the Hotel Helix. The decor favors candy colors, lava lamps, king-sized bunk beds and round mirrors."

Swann House 1808 New Hampshire Avenue Northwest Washington, DC 20009-3206 (202) 265-4414 www.swannhouse.com

• • Concierge.com Recommendation: "This 19th-century mansion just off Dupont Circle is a tiny jewel. The 12 rooms in this B&B all have period details and pleasant decor, each with a unique style-taste (and budget) will determine your choice."

• • Frommer's Highly Recommended: "This stunning 1883 mansion, poised prominently on a corner 4 blocks north of Dupont Circle, has nine exquisite guest rooms."

Hotel Rouge Washington DC 1315 16th Street Northwest Washington, DC 20036 (202) 232-8000 www.rougehotel.com

• • Lonely Planet Recommended: "As you'd expect, the decor is definitively red, with bold designs, funky furniture and hip posters decorating the rooms. "

• • Frommer's Highly Recommended: "The Rouge has no suites but does offer 15 specialty guest rooms, including "Chill Rooms," which have DVD players and Sony PlayStation, "Chat Rooms," which have computer/printers, and "Chow Rooms," which have a microwave and refrigerator."

Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown 815 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 783-7800 www.hiltongardeninn.com

• • Frommer's Recommended: "The hotel's location and perks make this 6-year-old hotel a good choice for both business and leisure travelers. Each of its 20 suites holds a small pullout sofa in the living room."

The Quincy 1823 L Street Northwest Washington, DC 20036 (202) 223-4320 www.thequincy.com

• • Frommer's Very Highly Recommended: "Key elements include the hotel's location, in the heart of downtown, near Metro stops, restaurants, and the White House; a congenial staff, most of whom have worked here for more than 10 years..."

With rates starting at just $99 per room, the Jurys Normandy Inn is one of the city’s most affordable hotel's. Attractions like the Washington Monument, the White House, Arlington Cemetery, Vietnam Memorial, the Pentagon and Georgetown are just minutes away from the hotel. Start your morning off with breakfast in the hotel's parlor, enjoy your afternoon with free coffee or tea in the lounge, and on Tuesday nights they offer a wine and cheese reception. Also available is free internet access, each room has a safe to store your valuables in, and the hotel offers a dry cleaning and laundry service.

Tabard Inn 1739 N Street Northwest Washington, DC 20036-2801 (202) 331-8528 http://www.tabardinn.com

• • Frommer's Recommended: "The Tabard Inn, named for the hostelry in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, is actually three Victorian town houses that were joined in 1914 and have operated as an inn ever since."

• • Lonely Planet Recommended: "Possibly DC's most character-filled hotel, the Tabard Inn is creaky like an old ship. The warren of rooms on the main floor reek of generations of wood fires in the fireplace."

The Normandy Hotel, 9formerly Jurys Normandy Inn0 2118 Wyoming Avenue N.W., Washington D.C. 20008, USA Tel: +1 (202) 483 1350 US Toll Free: +1 866 534-6835

• • Frommer's Highly Recommended: "This gracious hotel is a gem - a small gem, but a gem nonetheless. Situated in a neighborhood of architecturally impressive embassies, the hotel hosts many embassy-bound guests."

Woodley Park Guest House Bed and Breakfast Inn 2647 Woodley Road Northwest Washington, DC 20008 (202) 667-0218 http://www.dcinns.com

• • Frommer's Recommended: "This charming, 18-room B&B offers clean, comfortable, and cozy lodging; inexpensive rates; a super location; and a personable staff: How's that for a recommendation?"

Hostelling International - www.hiwashingtondc.org, phone=202-737-2333

Washington International Student Center - www.dchostel.com, phone=800-567-4150, 202-667-7681

Hostels.com

HostelWorld.com

While planning your trip, please see Washington DC Restaurants, Washington DC Tours and Washington DC Vacation.