Washington Marriott Georgetown

As with many midlevel chain hotels, one of the key variables is when the property was last renovated. This Marriott is still feeling pretty fresh thanks to a top-to-bottom renovation in 2017. The lobby is colorful, bright, and open with a massive skylight and a lot of people tapping away on their laptops, making use of the free Wi-Fi. (There is a fee for in-room Wi-Fi.)

Likewise, the large (420-square-foot on average) rooms are well appointed with deep carpeting; granite-topped hardwood dressers; a big swivel-top desk; a cool connectivity board for plugging your computer into the 32-inch flat-screen; plush and bouncy beds with 300-thread-count linens, featherbeds, down comforters, and good pillows. The bathrooms also have quality goods: granite counters, Kohler faucets, soft combed-cotton towels, a pair of plush terry-cotton robes, and Paul Mitchell bath products.

The amenities are ample, if not extraordinary for the area. The fitness center has plenty of up-to-date equipment, including five Life Fitness treadmills, three stepmasters, two bikes, and a bunch of strength machines. And the 2nd-floor mezzanine houses a fairly serious business center that's staffed throughout the day and has nominal charges associated with most services. There are two casual dining options on-site, The Visiteur and The Court Lounge.

The rooms are bigger at the comparably priced Embassy Suites. In fact, were it not for the rowdy, kid-filled lobby there, I'd say it's the better option of the two for anyone. As it is, families traveling with kids should choose the Embassy Suites. If you're hoping for a mellower environment, or to get a little work done in the lobby, you'll prefer the Marriott.

The Washington Marriott is located on a quiet strip of 22nd Street between M and N Streets, in a convenient spot on the edge of the West End. It's decidedly sleepier than Georgetown, its wealthier, more historic neighbor (a 10- to 15-minute walk west). The downside to the vicinity is that there aren't many restaurants, cafes, or nightlife -- for those you'll need to head to Dupont Circle, a 15- to 20-minute walk (or quick taxi), or to nearby Georgetown.

• Eight-minute walk to the Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro stop (three stops on the Blue or Orange Line to downtown's Metro Center; five stops to Smithsonian museums)
• 10- to 20-minute walk to the heart of Georgetown and some of the city's best shopping and restaurants
• 10- to 15-minute walk to the Potomac River waterfront
• Five-minute walk to George Washington University
• 20- to 25-minute walk (or five to 10 minutes by taxi) to the White House and the Lincoln Memorial
• 15- to 20-minute walk, or two Metro stops to Dupont Circle