The Westin Washington, D.C. City Center

Built in the 1970s, this 406-room high-rise was taken over by Starwood Hotels in 2007 and fully renovated in 2014. The formerly dark hallways and dim interior are now airy and bright. A towering atrium-style lobby features white tile floors, a beige and light gray color scheme, and a wall of glass windows that extends into the ceiling. You won't find innovative design, fun extra touches, or variety in the artwork, however. But the rooms are clean and comfortable (at 325 square feet, they're spacious for this category if not huge) and have all the brand signatures -- white-tea-aloe bath products, two-headed showerheads, and the popular Heavenly beds.Generally speaking, this is a Westin, so you can expect it to be nice and comfortable, though chain-like. For a more characterful (and likely more affordable) downtown hotel, check out Hamilton Crowne Plaza, two blocks south.

Like its name implies, this Westin is indeed in the city's center. It's located downtown and fine if you're in town to do business near the White House or at the Washington Convention Center (about half a mile away) -- but very little happens in the immediate neighborhood. However, some excellent bars, cafes, and restaurants are three blocks north on P Street.- Eight-minute walk to the closest Metro (McPherson Square or Farragut North)

• 12-minute walk to the White House and Convention Center
• Seven-minute drive to the National Mall
• 12-minute drive to Union Station (the Amtrak and Metro station)
• 13-minute drive to Reagan National Airport (DCA)

White bedspreads, off-white walls, sleek furniture, and turquoise-patterned carpets give these rooms a modern and airy feel. About 65 percent of the rooms overlook the atrium -- a less scenic view, but a quieter alternative to the rooms facing the street. Every unit includes a signature Heavenly bed, flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, coffeemaker with Starbucks coffee, bathrobes, and a nice bathroom with the option of a dual wand and rain showerhead or two traditional showerheads. One-bedroom suites are also available with sofa beds, jetted tubs, and spacious balconies overlooking the atrium lobby.

One of this Westin’s best features is its fitness center, which boasts a large selection of modern equipment as well as some nice bonuses, like a yoga/stretching room and personal TV screens on the cardio machines. The hotel also has two restaurants -- one in the lobby (Fringetree) and another on a terrace overlooking the atrium (1400 North). 1400 North only serves breakfast, while Fringetree is full-service and has a lounge bar. Other highlights include a business center, small convenience store, pet-friendly perks (such as a Heavenly dog bed), in-room massages, 24-hour room service, and valet parking. A modern meeting room with video chat technology, called Tangent, is also available for rental by the hour.