DC hotel with good location for Smithsonian
 

I usually try to stay at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel when in DC since is so conveniently located to the mall and right above the Metro station. That hotel is closed for renovations. Can anyone recommend another good play to stay? It will be me and my 2 teenage nephews for 3 or 4 nights. THanks

I'm surprised no one answered. I think that is the main hotel over on that side of the Mall, there are many on the other side, the Marriott is probably the biggest and maybe the closest, around Pennsylvania and 13th or so. There is a Hyatt Regency on NJ ave. that is also pretty close, and of course, there is a Holiday Inn (the Capitol) very near the Air and Space (about a block south). Nothing much around that in the evening, though, I'd pick the Hyatt or there are numerous hotels once you get into Penn Qtr and up into Chinatown a bit. The Hyatt isn't too far from the Union Station metro stop.

Then there is the Phoenix Park cater-corner from the postal musem (short block to Union Station) which I've never been in but it looks budget (boring) from the outside, although may not be. The Hotel George is over there, also, but I don't picture it as what someone with 2 teens is looking for, but you could check it out, it has rates not too different from the Hyatt and Phoenix Park

Hotels in Penn Qtr/Chinatown are really just a short walk to the mall. The JW Marriott would be very convenient also for the mall and lots of other things like restaurants, and is right near a metro stop (an entrance may be in it for all I know, like the l'Enfant Plaza). I think you can usually find some better room rates at the JW Marriott than some of these others.

Have you looked at the Hotel Monaco? I love Kimpton hotels and it would be my first choice.

I like them, also, that one is near the Portrait Gallery which really isn't far. I think it is a lot more expensive than the Marriott, etc., though, and I don't really know if Kimpton hotels are the best choice for 3 adults in one room (may be, I just don't know). Even if the kids are young teens, they need a regular bed and I presume two teenage boys are not sleeping with each other or with an adult aunt. And teen boys really don't need such chic rooms, I don't think. But the OP may like it.

The Marriott Metro Center is well located for you if you have any loyalty to that chain. Agree w/Christina the Penn Quarter / Chinatown area has lots of possibilities. There is a Hampton Inn at 6th and I that is very popular with families because of the location and the complimentary morning breakfast.