Rosewood Washington, D.C.

With its red brick exterior and simple design, the Rosewood Washington D.C. blends in easily on the streets of Georgetown. Stepping inside the hotel, guests are greeted by a doorman and guided by a “personal assistant” to an elegant check-in area, called the “living room.”  This split-level room is wrapped in dramatic hardwood and marble, which give it a distinctly luxurious feel. The floors feature original parquet woodwork that was reclaimed from a chateau in France, and a massive slab of onyx stretches 20 feet up one of the walls and around a fireplace. A crystal chandelier, old-world furniture, and a large paint-splattered canvas (taken from hotel owner Bruce Bradley’s private collection) complete the classic-meets-contemporary look -- which is almost too grandiose to be truly cozy.

The Rosewood has a generally quiet, upscale atmosphere. Most of the action happens in the swanky hotel restaurant, The Grill Room, or on the rooftop. Not only does the rooftop have bar service and an infinity pool that’s open year-round -- yes, they heat the pool so you can swim outside in the dead of winter -- but it also offers great city views. Live bands and DJs play in the summertime, and people flock here to view fireworks on Independence Day. 

The Rosewood has a great location on the edge of the historic C&O Canal and 31st Street in the heart of Georgetown. The immediate neighborhood is relatively quiet and filled with charming old buildings, yet M Street -- the main shopping and dining drag -- is only a block away. The Potomac waterfront, Rock Creek Park, and many of the best shops and restaurants in the city are easily within walking distance. The only downside to the posh Georgetown neighborhood is that it's not connected to the city's metro system. The closest metro stop is nearly a mile away.

• One-minute walk to shopping and dining on M Street
• 10-minute drive to The White House and National Mall
• 14-minute drive to Reagan National Airport
• 17-minute walk to the Foggy Bottom Metro station (Blue/Orange/Silver lines)
• 35-minute drive to Dulles International Airport

The Rosewood has 37 guest rooms and 12 suites. With heavy tasseled curtains, buttoned and studded fabric chairs with clean lines, sleek bedside tables, and modern wooden desks, the decor offers a pleasant blend of classic elegance and contemporary style. There are subtle Art Deco influences seen in touches such as silver sunburst mirrors and understated polka dot patterns. The rooms are spacious for D.C. and have all the features you would expect from a luxury hotel: flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, Illy espresso machines, tea, teakettles, bathrobes, and even minibars stocked with free non-alcoholic drinks. Bathrooms feature dark marble floors, stand-alone soaking tubs, vanities, rain showerheads, and high-end Acqua Di Parma amenities. Live flowers in every room are an especially nice touch. 

The rooftop pool and fitness center may be small, but they’re still high-end. The hotel’s four Technogym cardio machines each come with touch screens and personal TVs, and the infinity pool has its own fireplace and poolside bar service. Food and drink are also a must here. The full-service restaurant, The Grill Room, is run by renowned local chef Frank Ruta. The menu is full of pricey and delicious international cuisine, and dining is available on an outdoor terrace overlooking the canal. Whisky lovers should get at least one drink at Rye Bar, which specializes in rye whiskeys and rare spirits (be sure to check out the bar itself -- a yellow glowing centerpiece made from backlit honey onyx). 

Other hotels perks include 24-hour room service, valet parking, rooftop food and bar service, airport car service, pet-friendly rooms, in-room spa treatments, and board games like chess and scrabble in the “living room.” The living room also has free tea, filtered water, sodas, coffee, and fruit. The hotel technically has no business center, but a “personal assistant” is on-call to perform any faxing, printing, or mailing. These assistants will also make dinner reservations, book tickets, or perform other concierge-type tasks. Guests can also have up to five pieces of clothing pressed for free.