6 Best Hotels in Dupont Circle and Kalorama, Washington, D.C.

The brainchild of former Essence editor Monique Greenwood, this 1890s town house turned guesthouse—one of three inns Greenwood has opened—celebrates the richness of African American literature. Each of the rooms is named and decorated in the spirit of one of the genre's greats, like Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, or Walter Mosley. Decor is unfussy and sophisticated, with conveniences like cable TV and Wi-Fi offered in every room. Two rooms have Jacuzzis.

Tucked away on a quiet tree-lined street, this stylish Kimpton property makes for a comfortable and convenient base for exploring the city. Spacious rooms are elegantly understated with plush beds and furnishings in rich woods. The intimate restaurant and lounge serves modern American cuisine and classic cocktails.

This hotel is not posh, but it is ideal for families or business travelers staying for a few days, and all rooms have kitchen facilities, including a full-size refrigerator. Sinks outside the bathrooms make it easier for family groups to get ready in the morning, and all rooms have large closets.

Whether you are eating breakfast in the formal dining room or unwinding with a glass of sherry in the parlor, everything is lovely at this elegant urban retreat. The Duomo Suite has a custom-made bed and spectacular bathroom complete with a claw-foot tub and rain shower. The Jennifer Green Room has a private patio. But even the more modestly priced rooms, like the circular Lighthouse Room in the mansion's turret, with its red walls and bay windows, are charming and inviting.

On a quiet street in the embassy area of Connecticut Avenue stands this small Irish chain hotel. Cozy rooms, attractively decorated with colonial reproduction furniture, include free Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, and complimentary weekday newspapers. The hotel is also within walking distance of restaurants offering a broad selection of international cuisines along Connecticut Avenue.