The award-winning Oriental is one of the most popular hotels in Washington, DC. Touches of Feng Shui have made its huge guest rooms calming - in fact, you may not want to leave them. All have Chinese marble bathrooms, silk bed tapestries, flatscreen TVs, high-speed internet access and smashing views of city monuments or the Potomac Tidal Basin. The hotel also has a state-of-the-art spa plus two restaurants - the Asian-inspired, award-winning Cafe MoZU and the Sou'Wester, serving regional American cuisine. For lighter fare or cocktails try the Empress Lounge.

Marilyn Monroe (a J Seward Johnson sculpture) and friendly staff greet guests as they enter the small, comfortable, European-style lobby of St Gregory Luxury Hotel and Suites. Rooms, done in earthy tones and blacks, are spacious and comfortable. The M Street Bar and Grill is quite happening around cocktail hour and for the popular Champagne Brunch. Well located, this Washington, DC hotel is close to three Metro stops and within walking distance of the White House and Georgetown.

With views of the White House and Washington Monument, the W made its mark on the DC scene as soon as it opened in 2009 thanks to its Italian Renaissance style that meets ultra-chic 21st-century cool. The rooms range from Wonderful to Extreme Wow, all in shades of black and white with signature W beds. You'll need a reservation for the J&G Steakhouse but don't miss the day beds on the rooftop terrace bar, POV, where you can see the capital's sights lit up at night.

Located on a tree-lined side street in the Dupont Circle neighbourhood, this is the small hotel that residents recommend to their friends. As it was constructed from three Federal-style row houses, no two rooms are exactly the same, but each is filled with unique antiques and has Wi-Fi access throughout. Some rooms have a shared bathroom. Victorian sitting areas in the lounge are quite cosy and feature live jazz on Sunday night. The hotel's downstairs dining room, a popular lunch spot for both guests and non-guests, features American cuisine. The restaurant's brick-walled garden is one of the most pleasant places to pass an afternoon in Washington, DC. Price includes continental breakfast.

If funk is your thing, you'll love this Kimpton boutique hotel where pop art meets Hollywood. The guestrooms are decorated in eye-popping patterns, bright red, green and blue colours, and underscored with rounded mirrors and large pillows. Twelve of the rooms are themed including the cool Zone rooms, fun family Bunk rooms and Italian-inspired Eats rooms. The lighting system changes from blue to gold in the hotel's bar/café, Helix Lounge, and the outdoor patio is popular with locals. Located in the Logan Circle neighbourhood, the Mason and Rook Hotel is more appealing to young hipsters rather than sedate business people.

Located on an elegant street with embassies as neighbours, and within walking distance of bars, restaurants, shops and the Dupont Circle Metro, this small hotel is a real find. Extensively renovated in 2009, the 75 rooms are decorated in black and white highlighted with fabrics in warm colours. The lobby and rooms have complimentary Wi-Fi internet access and although there is no restaurant, afternoon tea and coffee is served to guests and there is a free wine and cheese reception some evenings.

As the nation's capital, there are plenty of deals to be had in Washington, DC, not least at its abundance of business hotels. The Bolger Centre, just outside the city, is one of the better choices, pairing convenience, cleanliness and a complementary shopping shuttle service with comfy beds, flatscreen TVs and a fully decked out business centre. The area around it has nature trails, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts as well as bicycle rental, indoor swimming pool and a 24-hour gym.

Under the watchful eye of architect Morris Lapidus, the Washington Plaza sprung up in 1962, placing a resort-like hotel in the middle of a city. Right next to the Smithsonian museums, the location is superb, while its glorious swimming pool, 340 well turned out rooms and recently renovated fitness suite are all as good as any modern contemporaries.