Built in 1927 and changed in 2008 from a Westin to a Starwood Luxury Collection property, the historic, 259-room Fairfax has an ideal location -- near great dining and nightlife, but still quiet and close to the sights. Guest rooms, though small, are comfortable, the service is superb, and the features are solid. All around, a fine pick for the price.

Despite its modest 1940s-era exterior, the Dupont Circle Hotel is in the vanguard of modern design among D.C. hotels after a yearlong, top-to-bottom renovation. Handsome, well-appointed rooms are the real highlight, but solid service, a popular local bar scene, excellent Cafe Dupont, and a prime Dupont Circle location complete the substance behind its style.

For the most part, the Shoreham is a hulking, fairly bland-looking 834-room convention-focused business hotel. But there's more to this historic hotel. Evening turndowns; a beautiful outdoor pool; a great gym; a quaint but still convenient location just north of Dupont Circle; a haunted room on the 8th floor -- it's an excellent choice for the price.

Tucked away in a leafy residential neighborhood near the National Zoo, D.C.'s biggest hotel is a blur of conventioneers -- huge meetings are its bread and butter. The Washington Marriott Wardman has lovely grounds, a decent fitness center, and pleasant common areas; but in this price range, leisure travelers can usually do better than its run-of-the-mill chain rooms and (somewhat) out-of-the-way location.

Fun boutique flair, at a fair price. The 335-room Hotel Palomar has an outdoor pool, a lively bar and restaurant, and a great location near the Metro subway station and the nightlife of Dupont Circle. And being a Kimpton hotel, it has great perks -- free wine hour; free Wi-Fi; pet pampering; great beds; top-notch service.

Situated in the heart of Embassy Row, this 231-room hotel attracts an international crowd. The rooms are small and in need of a face-lift and the fitness center is behind the times. But for business travelers, the location and the hotel's numerous meeting rooms way out the cons.

Located uphill from Dupont Circle, farther from the monuments but closer to the D.C. nightlife, this massive, 1,070-room convention-focused Hilton became a great hotel -- outdoor pool, modern rooms, health club -- after it finished its $140 million renovation in 2010.

Its life-size Marilyn Monroe statue in the lobby is hot (the way some like it), but the 154 guest rooms in this Dupont Circle hotel feel more outdated business hotel than funky boutique. But as the rooms (two-room suites, mostly) are much bigger than average, it's a passable choice for longer stays.

Located steps from Dupont Circle, the Carlyle Suites Hotel is set in a handsome Art Deco building with 170 large studio suites that include kitchenettes; what it lacks in features (no fitness center, business center, or 24-hour room service), it more than makes up for in charm and location -- it's a largely unknown D.C. jewel.

This 82-room boutique may lack amenities -- there's no on-site fitness center and not much of a business center-- but the can-do staff, up-to-date guest quarters, jewel of a restaurant, and vibrant neighborhood location add up to a solid value in Dupont Circle.