Kimpton George Hotel

The Kimpton George Hotel is the most convenient boutique hotel on Capitol Hill, and a smart choice for travelers whose Washington centers on Congress, the Library of Congress and the east end of the Mall. It sits on E Street NW, about two blocks from the north lawn of the Capitol and one block from Union Station, which means Capitol tours, the Library's timed entries, the Botanic Garden and the National Gallery's corner of the Mall are all on foot, and Amtrak trains to New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore leave from around the corner. The hotel takes its name from George Washington and plays on it with bold, modern art; rooms are clean-lined and comfortable, in the Kimpton manner. As a Kimpton, the George is pet-friendly and offers the brand's personal touches and complimentary Wi-Fi for IHG One Rewards members, along with a fitness center, meeting space and private dining. The neighborhood is full of good food: Union Market, with its food hall and restaurants, is a short ride, Eastern Market's Saturday stalls and the restaurants of Barracks Row are reachable by Metro or a longer walk, and Union Station has its own dining. For first-timers who plan to do the Capitol, the Library and the Smithsonian museums on the east end, there is no better-placed hotel at this price point. The honest notes: the immediate streets are quiet in the evening, since the area is office-heavy, and the hotel is a long walk from the Lincoln Memorial end of the Mall. Fit: first-timers, history buffs, rail travelers and families who want the Capitol on their doorstep.

Capitol Hill is one of the most historic neighborhoods in Washington: beyond the Capitol and the Supreme Court, it is a residential district of nineteenth-century rowhouses, gardens and corner restaurants, and staying here lets you see the city's political life up close, from staffers heading to work in the morning to protests and press conferences on the Capitol grounds. The George's location also makes it easy to use Union Station as a hub, both for Metro's Red Line and for day trips by train. Union Station itself, a Beaux-Arts landmark with a vaulted main hall, is worth a look even if you are not catching a train, and the Postal Museum next door, a free Smithsonian museum, makes a good rainy-day stop that few visitors know about.

Room craft: ask for a higher floor for brighter rooms and some city views, and mention any pets when booking so the hotel can prepare. Reserve Capitol tours and Library of Congress passes before you arrive, and walk over early to beat the queues. If you plan an excursion to Baltimore, Philadelphia or New York, the station a block away makes a day trip simple.

Practicals: 15 E Street NW. Union Station (Red Line and Amtrak) is one block away, the Capitol about two. Reagan National Airport is a short Metro ride with one transfer. Fit: first-timers, history buffs, families and rail travelers who want Capitol Hill at their door.