Courtyard Washington Convention Center

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building that houses Courtyard Washington Convention Center was once home to Riggs National Bank and is one of the oldest large buildings remaining in central DC. Like most of the city's downtown hotels, the Courtyard Washington Convention Center serves two masters: the weekday business traveler and the leisure weekender. And it does it masterfully. The classic exterior and the grand lobby make a stuffy initial impression. However, the modern styling of the rooms and the lively brewpub provide a nice balance, making it comfortable to be here in a power suit or a pair of shorts and flip-flops. There's also a large lounge area that's perfect for casual business meet-ups as well as for families planning their adventures. All in all, this is a solid property that blends classic charms with up-to-date features, making it a reliable (and calm) home base in an otherwise busy part of town.

The hotel's location in the center of Penn Quarter puts it within walking distance of many major attractions. These include the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (four blocks), the Verizon Center (one block), Madame Tussauds (one block), and the International Spy Museum (across the street). Celebrity chef Jose Andres has three restaurants in the immediate area, and there are deliciously authentic Asian eats to be found within a 10-minute walk in Chinatown. The Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station is two blocks away for getting farther afield. Arrival from DCA is a direct 15-minute commute by metro, or about 30 minutes by cab, while BWI and IAD can be up to a 90-minute drive (depending on traffic).

The spacious rooms have a modern style that's a respectful departure from the building's historic architecture. An eye-catching mix of textures and patterns, including pops of gold and burgundy, dominate the interiors. The layout of the rooms vary even within the same category, which is common in retrofitted hotels. The result is that some rooms having extra amenities such as double sinks in the bathrooms, or full-size bathtubs instead of the walk-in showers found in most rooms. Some suites even have separate dining spaces. Regardless, the standard amenities are plentiful, including coffeemakers, mini-fridges, irons and ironing boards, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth-enabled alarm clocks. There are no safes, but the hotel preserved the bank’s old safe deposit boxes and makes them available at the front desk. It's a cute touch, but still an inconvenience. The soundproof windows added during the conversion to a hotel were a wise move and keep the outside noise completely at bay.

This hotel has a bundle of features that go well beyond what's typically expected from the Courtyard brand. The popular brewpub, Gordon Biersch Brewery, is independently operated but has a seamless relationship with the hotel. It’s open for lunch and dinner and provides room service through the evening. The Bistro is the hotel’s breakfast venue, though breakfast isn't included in rates. This space is on the hotel’s lower level, along with a large lounge area overflowing with outlets for those power-needy phones, computers, and other gadgets. Two separate fitness rooms offer cardio machines, weights, and space for floor exercises. A beautifully tiled Turkish-style pool and whirlpool sits between the two fitness rooms. Computers and printers are available in the lower lounge and adjacent to the front desk, but there are no proper meeting rooms. Additional conveniences include a coin-operated washer/dryer with complimentary laundry detergent, and a lobby sundry shop. Valet parking is available and worth the extra cost given the area's limited street parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.