Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.

Location. The Mandarin Oriental, Washington, D.C. overlooks the Potomac River and five acres of manicured gardens in Washington, D.C. Potomac Park is located across the street, while the Smithsonian Institution stands four blocks away.

Hotel Features. The lobby of this Asian-inspired property was modeled after the Jefferson Memorial rotunda. Fresh orchids, limestone walls, muted silk fabrics, and a reproduction of "Above Washington, D.C." create a union between whimsical fancy and gracious Asian décor. Dining venues include Café MoZU, a contemporary restaurant overseen by a Master Sushi chef. James Beard award-winner Eric Ziebold organizes the staff at CityZen that features a Modern American fine-dining menu and is open Tuesdays through Sundays. The Empress Lounge boasts two-story water and garden views, and prepares unique appetizers and signature cocktails. A complimentary, limited-hour fitness center houses television-mounted cardiovascular machines and weight-training equipment. The Potomac River-view indoor lap pool opens onto a sundeck furnished with oversized round wicker-style chairs topped with pillows. The 14,000-square-foot Spa at Mandarin Oriental offers pampering pleasures such as the Amethyst Crystal Steam Room and the Color Therapy Experience Shower. Holistic remedies draw on Balinese, Ayurvedic, Chinese and European techniques philosophies.

Guestrooms. The nine-story Mandarin Oriental offers 400 guest accommodations, including 53 suites. Rooms reflect Feng Shui principles and feature silk fabrics and teak furnishings. Beds are dressed with pillowtop mattresses, 300-thread count Fili D'oro linens, down comforters and pillows, and silk duvets. Select accommodations extend onto step-out balconies. Suites boast 32-inch flat-panel televisions, bathroom flat-panel televisions, and DVD and CD players. Standard accommodations include the same bedding features as the suites, but are furnished with flat-screen televisions. Chinese marble bathrooms feature separate bathtubs and showers, bathrobes, slippers, marble-and-teak vanities and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries.

Expert Tip. Some of the finest jazz artists in Washington, D.C., perform at the Mandarin Oriental Fridays through Sundays, while Thursdays heat up with live Latin-music performance.