Holiday Inn Washington DC - Central / White House

Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House is a mid-range hotel housed in a bland 10-story building on the corner of a wide avenue. Public spaces are on the dated side, with granite floors in the lobby and lots of dark-wood paneling paired with gaudy sectional sofas and patterned 1970s-style curtains. The on-site restaurant -- Avenue Cafe & Lounge -- sits off to one side and has a similarly dated feel, with black-and-brown granite floors with magenta splashes and matching wooden chairs. Thankfully rooms did get a refresh in 2016, but that look hasn't extended anywhere else yet. The property attracts both business travelers on a budget and tourists, including families (pull-out sofa beds in rooms and free dining for kids add allure for parents).

The Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House is located just off Massachusetts Avenue on the edge of downtown, a 15-minute walk to the Dupont Circle Metro stop (Red Line), with direct access to Downtown, The Mall, the Smithsonian Museums, and the National Zoo. The surrounding Dupont Circle neighborhood is filled with hip restaurants, bars, and nightlife options, particularly on P Street between Logan Circle and 15th Street. The White House is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, while Union Station takes 10 minutes to reach by taxi. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the Reagan National Airport (traffic permitting) and up to an hour to get to Dulles.

Thanks to a 2016 renovation, guest rooms are a highlight of this Holiday Inn breathing some fresh air into this slightly stale property. Breezy neutrals like gray-and-tan carpeting and blond-wood furniture are offset by rectangular prints of turquoise seascapes. Every room contains either one king bed or two doubles. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, irons, and mini-fridges, and some rooms add pull-out sofas and microwaves. Bathrooms come with large vanity areas, hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and shower/tub combos.

This Holiday Inn has a good range of amenities for an affordable mid-range property, including secure on-site parking (for a relatively pricey fee), 24-hour guest laundry facilities, a small gift shop selling snacks and basic sundries, a business corner, and meeting space for rent. There's also a restaurant -- Avenue Cafe and Lounge -- which serves food from all over the world. Breakfast and dinner buffets are available seasonally and kids eat free. Room service is also available, but not around the clock. The fitness center was updated in 2015 and features modern cardio equipment and free weights in a brightly lit space. Wi-Fi is fast and free throughout the property.