Washington, DC, Hotels Guide

Visitors to Washington, DC, can stay in the Washington National Cathedral for an unusual lodging experience.
©2006 Washington, DC, Convention
and Tourism Corporation
Visitors to Washington, DC, can stay in
the Washington National Cathedral for
an unusual lodging experience

Tucked away in an odd plot of land near the Holocaust Museum and L'Enfant Plaza, and only accessible via distinctly specific directions, the luxurious Mobil Four-Star Mandarin Oriental Washington DC (1330 Maryland Ave) made the biggest splash in recent hotel history in DC with its priceless view of the Jefferson Memorial and its acclaimed CityZen Restaurant.

Guidebooks are filled with hotel listings, but one category that doesn't often appear in DC accommodations information is bed and breakfasts. It is an unexpected pleasure to discover that DC has dozens of fine B&Bs. A few of the best are the African and Asian art-filled DC Guesthouse (1337 10th St NW); the literary-inspired Akwaaba (1708 16th St NW) and romantic Swann House (1808 New Hampshire Ave NW).

Looking for an even more unusual place to spend the night? The Cathedral College at the Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave NW) is in a garden area steps from the magnificent cathedral. When not in use for conferences, rooms are available to the public. Guest rooms and suites in the Gothic-style building are priced from $80 to $155. The Tower Suite has a panoramic view of the city, and is one of few things that are best in the dead of winter when the trees have lost all their leaves.

Dining in Washington, DC, includes sophisticated restaurants that feature ethnic cuisine, organic foods, and a celebrity chef or two. Keep reading for our guide to Washington, DC, restaurants.