Washington D.C. Smart Splurges

This famous White House neighbor has served both Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant. The rooms are elegant, with access to a beautiful dining hall and politically lively bar.

Located across LaFayette Square from the White House, the 145-room Hay-Adams Hotel is a historic D.C. gathering place where notable guests such as Charles Lindburgh, Sinclair Lewis, Ameila Earhart, and Mark Twain have mingled with congressmen and presidents. The views of the White House from the private roof and the elegant residence-style rooms are so spectacular they’ve been featured in blockbuster movies. Expect dignified service and amenities, distinguished décor, and a location convenient to the Smithsonian, the Washington Monument, the Capitol Building, and the Mall.

The interior of this sleek boutique hotel owes a major debt to '30s French Moderne design, with sweeping angular spaces, rich marble flooring, and eye-catching original artwork ­ and that's just the lobby. The 335 guest rooms come with flat-screen TVs, WiFi, and Frette linens. The fitness center, the evening wine receptions, and the series of on-call masseuses please leisure and business travelers alike; the huge outdoor pool was obviously designed with kids in mind. As with all hotels in the Kimpton family, the Palomar is pet-friendly (furry friends are given the gold treatment with complimentary gourmet treats, beds, and pick-up bags), not to mention art-friendly – in partnership with the Smithsonian, the hotel occasionally brings in local artists to give lectures and socialize with guests.

Modern fare adapted from various ethnic traditions (think yellow fin tuna with arugula, piquillo...more

Get a for-your-eyes-only peek at D.C.’s secretive world of international espionage. The Spy City Tour allows visitors to explore their inner James Bond on trips to the city's most notorious spy hangouts and haunts, with exclusive video briefings from former high-level KGB and CIA agents. Price includes admission to the International Spy Museum.

Wolfgang Puck’s first D.C. eatery is located within the Newseum, a museum chronicling...more

This funky boutique specializes in hand-crafted housewares made by local artisans: beautiful maple-cut jewelry boxes, hand-blown glass art, and adorable cedar plank birdhouses. You may not leave whistling “Fanfare for the Common Man,” but Appalachian Spring absolutely deserves its namesake Aaron Copeland song reference by crafting such high quality Americana.

Located near historic DuPont Circle, this red-hot D.C. nightspot occupies Teddy Roosevelt's former mansion and is furnished in vintage antiques. DJs spin a hybrid of down tempo dub and exotic lounge music. It feels like a sophisticated A-list house party at an ambassador’s private residence, complete with cocktails, supermodels, D.C. power players, and a very tight velvet rope!

The city’s first-class performing arts center, also a monument to former President John F. Kennedy, is an architectural attraction as well as an excellent theatrical and musical venue. Designed by Edward Durrell Stone, the building boasts a grand main hall and an impressive collection of crystal chandeliers. The Opera House, Concert Hall, and Eisenhower Theatre regularly host the National Symphony Orchestra and Washington National Opera.

Equinox caters to the Brooks Brothers set with sophisticated spins on American comfort-food...more