Nestled on the banks of the Potomac in a restored turn-of-the-century brick factory, this chic 86-room boutique isn't your grandfather's Ritz-Carlton (assuming grandpa had a Ritz-Carlton). Its Lobby Lounge, with a wood-burning fireplace, is so cozy you'll be forgiven for not making it back to your room. And its Chimney Stack room offers private dining for 12 at the bottom of a 130-foot smokestack (relax, the chimney is no longer in use).

This downtown 1963 opening blends elegance and chic in a manner that'll appeal to most tastes but doesn't come across as generic. While the Madison claims its 365 guest rooms are "European inspired," the hotelier is referring to the decor, not the room size, which is spacious. In-room amenities include a Keurig, daily newspaper delivery and C.O. Bigelow products, so guests have no excuse for being tired, uninformed or dry.

183 rooms might be too many for a hotel to be considered a boutique, but this Kimpton property pulls it off. It's located in Penn Quarter near Chinatown, which, as it's 2013 and not 1993, is a good thing. Expect all the usual quirky Kimpton amenities: in-room goldfish (upon request), complimentary nightly wine hours and flashy robes that befit the Perry's drag brunch dressing room.

Its location—on Capital Hill and above The Dubliner pub—make it a popular spot for travelers conducting Official Government Business (or at least trying to get in on a little piece of that pie). Just like there are flashier European countries than Ireland, there are snazzier hotels in town. But Phoenix Park is about as close as you're gonna get to sleeping in the U.S. Senate (at least without having to touch David Vitter).

This Kimpton property brands itself as the "life of the party." Being a short walk from both the U Street Corridor and Dupont Circle, that's quite the boast. But the 178-room boutique backs it up with a color scheme that makes the Mansion on O look sedate. Bonus: stay in its Bunk Bed room and you'll be able to keep convincing Mom that Larry is just a good friend.

Located across Lafayette Square from the White House, a stay in the Italian Renaissance-style building is as close as you're likely to get to a night in the Lincoln Bedroom—relax though, it affords a better view (and is probably cheaper). The 1928 opening underwent a $20 million renovation in 2001, which focused on the guest rooms, and it added a roof terrace, Top of the Hay, in 2011.

The contemporary, art-filled, 222-room spot claims to be the "city’s only five-star, five-diamond luxury hotel." And would the Four Seasons ever lie? A current series of renovations are focusing on its restaurant, Seasons, (completed in Feb. 2012), ENO Wine Bar (scheduled for early 2013) and event space.

Art deco meets modern chic in this 238-room cosmopolitan hotel that declares itself "an embassy of style" (let's assume they're thinking French embassy and not Albanian). Clearly comfort is en vogue: all rooms "featue Sofitels luxurious feathertop and duvet sleep system—SoBed." The red drapes and walls at its Le Bar lounge evoke the waiting room in Twin Peaks. A few stiff craft cocktails and maybe The Man from Another Place will start looking like Agent Cooper.

Yes, it's a conference hotel (29 meeting rooms!), but D.C. is the Capital of Conferences and this 737-room behemoth is one of nicest and best situated options. All rooms at the up-market Marriott brand that's not quite Ritz-Carlton feature 300-thread-count sheets and 37-inch TVs that easily connect to your laptop. So you can use the big screen to preview your PowerPoint. Or stream porn. (Your choice.)

A Victorian Mansion built in 1864, this 54-room inn is on the National Register of Historic Places. So while it's a 5-minute walk to the Convention Center, it's hardly a typical convention hotel. Whether it remains quaint after a planned 54-room expansion, however is a legit question (as is how long those renovations will take.

One of the few resort-type hotels, Southern Living ranked its outdoor heated pool as one of the 10 best in the South. It's 834 rooms are located on 11 acres and are just four blocks from the National Zoo — close enough to walk but not smell the elephants from your room.

If you can't swing the Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton (not judging), this AAA Four Diamond Hotel offers a more affordable Georgetown alternative that's still upscale. Need to watch CNBC rather than Georgetown coeds during your morning cardio? Its WestinWORKOUT® Rooms include a treadmill. Afterwards collapse in the Westin Heavenly Bed® (or skip the workout and just sleep in®).

For those occasions when a traveler needs 24-hour personalized butler assistance, a complimentary shoeshine or translation services beyond Google Translate, there's this 182-room luxury hotel. Its K Street location makes it convenient to both Mall attractions for the kids and nanny and the White House and K Street firms for Mom and Dad.

This 96-room boutique declares it "exemplifies all that its namesake, Thomas Jefferson, held dear – intricately thought-out design, twenty elegantly appointed suites, the most modern amenities, gastronomic excellence and, of course, exceptional personalized service." T.J. had an opinion on hotel suites? Who knew?

It's a Hilton, so you know the amenities and accommodations (above average, below luxe.) But location, location, location: it's two blocks from both the White House and three Metro stops (with access to three different lines). Empty out your Hilton Honors points to book a stay in its Harry Truman Suite: it has a kitchen, formal dining room that seats eight and a baby grand once tickled by Truman himself. Tee hee.

Sadly its Renaissance-level service doesn't befit such a historic hotel. But as many guests are there simply to do hookers and/or coke, who cares about turndown service? Travelers looking for stays longer than 15 minutes though will enjoy the 1925 opening's spacious rooms and classical decor. Fun game: hang out in the bar and guess who's a hooker.

This traditional-luxury 300-room West End spot accommodated Yasser Arafat when he was in town for peace talks — bed moved to the center of the room to avoid possible sniper fire — so your requests for an extra mint should be easy for the Ritz-Carlton's Ladies & Gentleman to satisfy. Splurge on a Club Room or Suite for access to the Club Lounge (or just buy a pass outright). The hotelier is known for its guest service; no where is it better than in the Club Lounge (an attendant was once seen helping an infant guest remove her sock so the child could better cram her foot in her mouth).

It's big. Really, really big. 1,314 guest rooms big. 195,000 square feet of event space big. 95,000 square feet of exhibit space big. Consider it the Pentagon of D.C. hotels. Big.

Adjacent to the Capitol and one block from Union Station, a hotel in this location probably could do well just offering squeaky cots in empty rooms. Thankfully Hotel George — in-room yoga mats, posh bedding and Warhol inspired prints of the hotel's namesake (Washington, not Bush) — didn't settle. The 138-roomer became one of D.C.'s first modern boutique hotels when it opened in 1998.

Billed as a "sophisticated luxury hotel" (as opposed to a crude one?), its West End location makes this AAA Four Diamond Hotel convenient to Georgetown, Embassy Row and K Street. Its 216 guest rooms are posh, but you know it best as home to Blue Duck Tavern, one of D.C.'s 38 essential restaurants.

Overlooking Dupont Circle (hence the name), this "urban retreat" that's part of the boutique Doyle Collection spent $52 million renovating its rooms, lobby, bar and restaurant. It also added a new floor to the hotel: the all-suite Level Nine which includes a 900-square-foot lounge, glass balcony overlooking the Circle, concierge services and complimentary food and hooch.

The recently renovated contemporary chic lobby ("parchment and gunmetal grays are integrated with pops of patriotic power colors") includes a 1,000-book library. Guests unable to sleep can order a new type of pillow, ear plugs, noise machine, sleep mask or chamomile tea from the hotel's Melrose Dream Menu. (If those items don't do the trick, there's always Spanktravision.)

The Canadian luxe chain's West End outpost is a AAA Four Diamond winner. Not bad, eh? Its 415 rooms could accommodate two-thirds of Manitoba. The hotel's signature courtyard garden, billed as a "sunlit urban oasis," is just that. Its rooms and amenities befit the upscale Fairmont brand.

An apartment building for Senators and Congressman when it opened in 1918, it was converted into a hotel in 1982. Now its most notable residents are the 119 grinning gargoyles on its facade. Formal tea is served daily in the Wilkes Room, which used to be "the parlor where the gentlemen tenants entertained ladies." Now those interactions happen in the guest rooms (which combine antique furnishings with modern amenities.)

One of D.C.'s best-known hotels and it's not for the location, amenities or rooms (all of which are true to the brand): President Reagan was shot here in 1981 and the hotel's ballroom hosts the annual White House Correspondents Dinner (where pols and journalists yuck it up while the rest of the country just goes yuck). Four blocks from the Dupont Circle Metro, it affords easy access to Adams Morgan, Woodley Park and the U Street Corridor.

Built in 1906 as an apartment building, its interior was gutted in the 1950s when it became a luxury hotel. The exterior though is what stands out: the eight-story Beaux Arts stone-framed building is perfectly symmetrical. That the 91-room, 82-suite boutique's style is traditional luxury rather than modern isn't a surprise based on the prominence its website gives to the hotel's AARP package.

Located in Glover Park, this boutique has views of the Washington Monument, Capitol and Potomac River, as well as easy access to Embassy Row, Cathedral Heights and Chevy Chase. A 2011 renovation fixed up the guest room's plumbing, countertops, tiles and showers. All rooms also include Tempur-Pedic beds.

Amongst the regulars in this turn of the 20th century inn's 40 guest rooms is a ghost (don't worry; he doesn't require a rollout). Coziness in a period setting — all rooms are unique — comes at the expense of elevators and TVs. Also note that its website's FAQ includes the question, "What does 'shared bath' mean?"

With 140 rooms featuring "imported German and Italian fabrics, Oriental woolen rugs, original art and elegant hand-painted silk renderings," this boutique takes the traditional 1920s approach to luxury. The stainless steel wet bars in each room show the hotel exects guests to take their evening digestif seriously.