Thanks, Aaron, for your quick reply! I am not terribly familiar with the DC neighborhoods. It's just my husband and me traveling. I'd like to find an area with restaurants and shops, easy access to the metro system, not terribly far out of the mall area (although we wouldn't need to walk to the mall). Our travel plans include visiting the Viet Nam and Korean War Memorials, Lincoln Memorial, Holocaust Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, maybe one of the Smithsonian museums. We aren't "shoppers" but we enjoy ethnic restaurants, coffee shops, boutique shops, etc. I have stayed at the Kimpton "George" hotel down near the Capitol. It was a nice hotel, but the neighborhood is a little "barren" as far as restaurants, coffee shops, etc., are concerned. I'd like to keep the cost under $140 a night (including tax), if possible, and probably 3 stars or better; I'd do 2.5 stars if the place has consistently good reviews. I've been looking at Embassy Row/Dupont Circle, further out than that (someone suggested the Omni Shorham), Capitol area (The Liaison?), White House area, Mall area, maybe Crystal City or Foggy Bottom... but I am not sure how easy it'll be to access the mall area from some of these locations. This stay in DC is part of a loop trip- flying into BWI, visit DC and Williamsburg, then going from BWI to MCO to visit friends in Cocoa Beach (I'll hotwire there, too!), then MCO home to BOS. Thanks again for your reply and offer of help!