Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

With a classic Beaux Arts facade and original vaulted ceilings from the 1920s, the Hamilton Hotel Washington DC has plenty of historic charm -- but without the steep prices of nearby luxury hotels built during the same era. Chandeliers and white moldings give the lobby a stately feel, while the 318 rooms are stylish with white marble lamps and tastefully classic D.C.-themed decor.

The first floor has a full-service Starbucks, a business center (which is really just two monitors and a printer bolted to the wall), and a nice bar and restaurant. The Restaurant and Lounge comes with a covered (and heated) sidewalk terrace so guests can dine street-side, even in the winter. Popular among locals who work in the area, the bar can be lively during happy hour or if the right game is on (there are several flat-screen TVs).

Despite the architecture, the 15-floor hotel doesn't feel too different from a more conventional D.C. business hotel. Plenty of nearby chain hotels offer more amenities and larger rooms, but few have the unique architecture of Hamilton Hotel Washington DC.

The Hamilton Hotel Washington DC is located in D.C.'s busy downtown business district at 14th and K Streets. The area, known as the "K Street Corridor," is filled with some of the city's largest lobbying firms and most prominent think tanks. The neighborhood can be very quiet at night and on weekends, and guests have complained about homeless people hanging out in Franklin Square Park, across the street. While this is not the area for nightlife, there are plenty of options a short walk up 14th Street. While the area is great for business travelers, main tourist sights on the National Mall are roughly a mile away.

• One block from the McPherson Square Metro station
• Nine-minute walk to the White House
• 10-minute walk to Metro Center station
• 13-minute walk to the Washington Convention Center
• Five-minute drive to the museums and monuments on the National Mall
• 15-minute drive to Reagan National Airport  (DCA)

The hotel's guest rooms feel stylish and modern, but still have classic touches like white marble lamps, floral-patterned carpeting, and D.C.-inspired artwork. The rooms come in varying sizes, but at around 250 square feet, the standard units are smaller than average for D.C. For those who need extra space, a handful of one-bedroom Junior and Executive Suites are available. Every room includes a Keurig coffeemaker, flat-screen TV, iPod stereo, mini-fridge, and free Wi-Fi. Select rooms with king beds also have sofa beds. A women's only zone is available on the 11th floor, and those rooms include special extras like yoga mats, nail polishes, curling irons, and women's magazines.

This hotel has a solid range of features for a business hotel. Its best amenities are the 24-hour fitness center -- which includes a good selection of modern machines -- and a full-service restaurant and bar. The restaurant specializes in American and international cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Other perks include an on-site Starbucks, free Wi-Fi, a basic business center, room service, valet parking, free pet-friendly amenities (bowls and dog beds), and a variety of meeting rooms.