With many bold decorative touches, most notably a dramatic setting in a landmarked Penn Quarter building, this is certainly a flashy Kimpton Hotels property, with a great location and a well-regarded restaurant. Too bad the service and rooms fall short.

A no-nonsense luxury hotel for the masses just steps away from the White House, the JW Marriott has a shopping mall-like multistory lobby and 772 cozy guestrooms. It's modestly plush, but in a populist way -- especially when compared with the place across the street, the Intercontinental Willard, which is richer and more exclusive.

A comfortable, reliable option just steps from a Metro subway hub and near the Verizon Center sports arena and the Washington Convention Center -- the 459-room Marriott doesn't get points for flash, but it has better service and a better gym and pool than the massive Grand Hyatt, around the corner.

The 384-room Embassy Suites Convention Center was given a well-needed update in 2012, which brought new decor to all rooms and the lobby. Features such as the spacious suites, free breakfast, free cocktails, and central locale a few blocks from the White House make it an appealing value for families and groups.

The 888-room Grand Hyatt feels every bit as big as it is: Rooms are dark and loud, lines often wrap around the check-in desk, and the gym is in disrepair. But it's conveniently located steps from the Metro Center stop in the Penn Quarter and within a 10-minute walk of the White House and convention center. A $23 million renovation is currently underway to all rooms at the Grand Hyatt, slated to be completed by March 2013.

This 807-room business-oriented hotel has comfortable rooms (completely renovated in 2013), an awesome gym, and a location right next to the convention center. It's a short walk to the hot nightlife of downtown D.C. and Chinatown. The monuments, museums, and major tourist attractions are a bit of a hike, but three Metro stations within blocks of the hotel make getting around easy.

It's easy to see why it's consistently listed among the city's best budget choices. Besides the basics (clean, comfy rooms; friendly service; business and fitness centers), the Hampton provides useful extras like free breakfast and an indoor pool and Jacuzzi. If you're not doing business at the Washington Convention Center, however, there's little reason to stay in this part of town.