We have family of 3 going to D.C. in March. we like the Dupont Circle area and particularly the westin Grand or Westin Fairfax (formerly Ritz Carlton). Has anyone stayed at either? One seems very modern and other very classic. We don't mind paying $175 range if we will really be happy. Fairfax is much closer to Metro, I think, but is Grand really too far? What about breakfast rec's for this area? I heard about a "bookstore" that had really good breakfasts and desserts? Thanks for any help!

Can't help you much about the Westins, although I do know the hotel that used to be a Ritz Carlton that is near Dupont Circle is very nice at least in terms of the lobby & restaurant, and has a great location just west and north of the circle (not far from the Phillips Collection, which is very nice). Haven't seen the rooms there though and don't know about the service either. Where is the other one you're considering?

Breakfast recommendations in Dupont Circle: the bookstore/cafe you're referring to is Kramerbooks & Afterwords and they do have good brunches and great desserts. A little pricier than it should be, but worth it. Their brunch entrees change regularly but I like the huevos rancheros and any egg dish made with lump crab meat. All the brunches include cappucino or latte (or coffee), juice, and muffins along with your entree. You can browse the desserts in the case inside the bookstore -- they're as good as they look. This is a good place for people-watching. Other good casual places for brunch: Childe Harold has very good eggs Benedict and is also a good place for simple fare like soup, salads, sandwiches, etc. Reasonably priced. Located on the west side of Connecticut a little north of the circle. Another good casual place is Luna Cafe on P Street just east of 17th Street (a couple of blocks east of the circle). I like the eggs florentine. Again, reasonably priced. They also have pretty decent pasta and other dinner food here at very reasonable prices. For a more upscale breakfast, the Mayflower Hotel on Connecticut a couple of blocks south of the circle (on the east side of the street) is very good. There are Starbucks all over the place (about every other block on Connecticut) for your coffee fix; one looks out directly on Dupont Circle and is one of my favorite places in the city to sit and look out the window and people-watch.

Thanks for the help - especially about the eating! The Westin Grand is at 24th and M, right near Columbia Hospital. Maybe it used to be something else, also.

The Westin Grand is a fantastic hotel and is pretty well located between the Georgetown, GWU, and Dupont areas. I found it a convenient location as I didn't mind walking a few blocks when I left the hotel. The facilities are top notch.

The old Ritz (Westin Fairfax) is nice as well, but is a tad "tired." I also find that Mass Ave area to be very loud.

Both of those locations are excellent. FYI, the Dupont Circle Metro station has two entrances: one at the southern end of the circle where 19th meets New Hampshire & Connecticut, and one just north of the circle near where Q St. intersects 20th & Connecticut. Now that you've told me where the Westin Grand is, I can tell you that the Westin Grand is closer to the southern entrance to the Dupont metro and the Westin Fairfax is closer (VERY close) to the "Q Street North" entrance. The Westin Grand is also not far from the Foggy Bottom metro stop. I don't think you can go wrong at either of these locations.