This six-floor boutique hotel has a pretty, Parisian charm. The Normandy lies on a tree-shaded street lined with embassies; not surprisingly, the clientele is an international mix. You’re a peaceful detour only minutes away, by foot, from the heart of the Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, and Woodley Park neighborhoods. The Normandy’s 75 rooms range in size, measuring between 210 and 352 square feet, and each makes good use of the space with cleverly designed and positioned furnishings: long, skinny desks; nifty little reading lamps with stems you can twist out of the walls just so; and compact Nespresso coffee machines and glass-fronted fridges placed out of the way. Front-facing rooms overlook tranquil Wyoming Avenue, while those at the back survey the courtyard. Three first-floor rooms open to a private garden terrace. Also on the first level is the parquet-floored lounge, with little sofas, armchairs, and a fireplace.

The Normandy is perfect for couples and solo travelers, but a larger hotel might be a better choice for groups, large families, and those who crave lots of space.