Hotels in Capital Beltway

National Harbor

National Harbor has 3,000 hotel rooms -- and plenty are waterfront. The biggest is the Gaylord National (tel. 301/965-2000; www.gaylordhotels.com), a mini-version of its Opryland in Nashville, with 2,000 rooms and a convention center. The Westin National Harbor (tel. 301/567-3999; www.starwoodhotels.com/westin) has some of the best views, as it sits right on the waterfront. Cool, sophisticated rooms highlight Aloft (tel. 301/749-9000; www.aloftnationalharbor.com). There are also a Marriott Residence Inn (tel. 301/749-4755; www.marriott.com/residenceinn) and Hampton Inn and Suites (tel. 301/567-3531; www.hamptoninn.hilton.com).

National Harbor has restaurants for just about every taste. Most are chains, including the upscale Ketchup (tel. 301/749-7099), Aston Kutcher's place; McCormick and Schmick's (tel. 301/567-6224); and the casual Elevation Burger (tel. 301/749-4014). Grace's Mandarin (tel. 301/839-3788) is the only local entry here.