Ritz-Carlton Georgetown

As unlike its regal sister hotel downtown as it's possible to be, this converted 19th-century incinerator in the heart of Georgetown is low-key, modern, and above all, private; there's even a hidden VIP exit for visiting celebs and politicos. The 86 minimalist rooms and suites fall somewhere on the scale between Zen and yawn, with clean lines and lots of beige (although suites have more personality and better views of the Potomac River two blocks away). The soaring post-industrial lobby, all exposed brick and steel beams, is presided over by a wide black granite fireplace—a great place to warm up on chilly winter nights.