PRICE:
Frommer's Very Highly Recommended

Museum-like in appearance, the Monaco occupies a four-story, all marble mid-19th-century building, half of which was designed by Robert Mills, the architect for the Washington Monument. The other half was designed by Thomas Walter, one of the architects for the U.S. Capitol. The halves connect seamlessly, enclosing a landscaped courtyard. Spacious guest rooms feature vaulted ceilings and long windows hung with charcoal-and-white patterned drapes. Eclectic furnishings include neoclassical armoires and three-legged desks. (The hotel's historic status precludes it from installing closets; hence, the armoires, which some guests say are too small.) A color scheme successfully marries creamy yellow walls with periwinkle-blue lounge chairs and orangey-red damask pillows. (Plans to refresh the decor were being contemplated as we went to press.) Interior rooms overlook the courtyard and the restaurant, Poste; exterior rooms view city sights on floors two through four. The first floor is nearly subterranean (a window close to the ceiling lets in some light). When you stay at the Monaco, you're not just downtown, you're part of the scene. Facilities: Restaurant (modern American); bar; spacious fitness center w/flatscreen TVs; 24-hr. concierge; full-service business center; 24-hr. room service; same-day laundry service; dry cleaning; 9 rooms for those w/limited mobility, 4 w/roll-in showers.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Washington, D.C. 2009, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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