What to expect: An airy, 12-story atrium welcomes guests to this quiet hotel inside the Washington area's Capital Beltway. Under the atrium, guests tend to e-mail and other business using wireless Internet access (surcharge) while sipping coffee or cocktails in the lounge. Speedy glass elevators whisk guests to their rooms and to the rooftop health club with pool and spa tub.

Amenity highlights: The hotel offers a complimentary fitness center with full array of cardio and weight machines; rooftop facility with indoor pool, and locker rooms with spa tubs and saunas. Restaurants include the Daily Grill and Morton’s Steakhouse along with the Concours Lounge.

Insider tip: The Hyatt's location in the middle of downtown Bethesda makes it an ideal base for sampling the area's 200 restaurants. Washington-area residents travel to Bethesda for dining options that range from fine French cuisine to Mongolian barbecue. The hotel's concierge has a convenient map with restaurant listings.