Washington: 5 Places to Stay

Spacious and rambling, this Four Seasons sits on an unassuming patch of Georgetown real estate. Guest quarters are split into two wings; currently the east wing's 151 newly renovated rooms are the best bet. All have stylish contemporary furniture, a muted palette of mauve and sage, chic lithographs in gilt-edged frames, and brand-new bathrooms with soaking tubs and separate glass-and-stone showers. (The 60 west-wing rooms, furnished more traditionally with antiques but with so-so bathrooms, are up for a matching redo by summer 2008). The fitness center here is grand, comfortable, and flooded with light from floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the C&O Canal.

Insider Tip: You'll never go thirsty here; look for thoughtfully placed urns of hot chocolate (in winter) and icy lemonade (in summer) throughout the hotel.

Room to Book: 617, a Presidential Suite, has a beautiful green-and-gold canopy bed you won't have to make any campaign contributions to sleep in.

• 1. Four Seasons Hotel
  2800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 38.904607-77.057562 fourseasons.com/washington