Cozy yet cosmopolitan, the Madera is one of DC's 10 Kimpton-brand properties, the focus here being more of a small, intimate boutique than large funk-da-house hipster haunt. The 82 earth-tone rooms sport bright batik pillows, cushy beds, 42in flat-screen TVs and decent-sized work desks, though bathrooms are small. Some rooms have balconies overlooking New Hampshire Ave. Firefly, the on-site bar, stirs romance.
A free-wine happy hour, in-room yoga gear and first-come access to the hotel's loaner bicycles are also part of the package. Heaps of eating and drinking options are within a few blocks.