The Jefferson

The Jefferson is an independent luxury hotel at 1200 16th Street NW, a few blocks north of the White House, and it calls itself the most-awarded hotel in Washington. Its awards include two Michelin Keys, and it appears regularly in readers' choice lists. With 99 rooms, including 20 suites, it feels more like a private residence than a large hotel.

The building was designed by Jules Henri de Sibour in the Beaux-Arts style and was completed in 1923 as an apartment building. It became a hotel in 1955. A major renovation between 2007 and 2009 uncovered the original skylight, which now lights The Greenhouse, the hotel's all-day dining room. Documents signed by Thomas Jefferson are displayed in the public rooms, reflecting the hotel's name.

The food and drink are a major part of the appeal. Plume, the hotel's fine-dining restaurant, holds a Michelin star. The Greenhouse serves breakfast, lunch and brunch under the skylight, and Quill offers cocktails with an upscale bar menu. In-room dining is available throughout the day. There is a 24-hour gym, and the hotel is dog-friendly, which is useful for travellers bringing a pet.

Rooms range from Deluxe and Premier Rooms to a series of suites, including the First Lady Suite and the Presidential Suite. The style is classic and residential, suited to couples, business travellers and anyone celebrating a special occasion.

The hotel offers longer-stay discounts, and its website lists special packages, including a private yacht excursion. As with all central luxury hotels, book early for the cherry blossom season and major events. The hotel was bought in 2005 by DC CAP Hotelier, and its long renovation, which ran into structural problems before it reopened in August 2009, gave the building its present look. Suites carry names linked to the hotel's history, such as the First Lady Suite, and the hotel's offers include discounts of up to a quarter off for stays of three nights or more.

The Jefferson is on the edge of downtown, within walking distance of the White House, Dupont Circle and the restaurants of 14th Street. The National Mall and the main Smithsonian museums are a longer walk or a short taxi ride away. Le Diplomate on 14th Street is an easy walk for a brasserie dinner, and the Tabard Inn in Dupont Circle is close by for a drink in a historic setting.