St. Regis, Washington, D.C.

This 1926 landmark hotel strikes the balance between historic elegance and high-tech swagger. Original details such as gilded Louis XVI chandeliers and Palladian windows remain, but rooms now have iPod docking stations, silk wall coverings, and glass mosaic–tiled bathrooms. Luxurious details (Waterford crystal chandeliers) combined with attentive service (a 24-hour butler assigned to each floor) make for a glamorous stay. Room to Book: An Astor Suite (the most affordable) overlooking 55th Street. Don't Miss: Chef Alain Ducasse's seasonal French cuisine at Adour, the hotel's new restaurant 229 rooms.