Raise your hand if you're sick of the cold. Melt away the winter chill with thoughts of springtime: warm weather and the sweet scent of flowers.
DC will be thawing out just in time for the National Cherry Blossom Festival at the end of March. The breathtaking scene around the Tidal Basin is rumored to coax a smile from the most steel-hearted of lobbyists. Plus, Spring in DC (before the hot and sticky summer) is the perfect time for the obligatory sightseeing tour of the nation's capital.
With these DC digs as home base it's easy to get around and explore everything from the monuments and museums to the hottest new restaurants and shops.
For upscale luxury, stay at The Hay-Adams which is as close as anyone can get to staying at the White House, short of being invited by the President.
Or for something a little more happening, try Donovan House, a mid-century chic outpost of Thompson Hotels.
In a town as traditional as Washington, a little bit of modern design goes a long way. The newly redesigned Dupont Hotel gets our vote for subtle style.
The Palomar, just a few steps from the action of Dupont Circle, has a youthful energy the more expensive five-stars can't touch and Hotel Rouge, with its red-on-red interiors, right down to the treats in the minibar, and loud music (gasp!) spilling out into the street, is proof positive that this town is loosening up.
The Cherry Blossom Festival runs March 27 - April 10. Click here for Area's guide to this rite of springtime.
