You’re really in the thick of things at this hotel, situated on a busy Chinatown street in the bustling Penn Quarter, a block north of the Capital One Arena, and surrounded by hip eateries. But this is an old neighborhood, too: The bells of St. Mary Mother of God, the 1890 Catholic church across 5th Street from the Fairfield, peal from 7am to—don’t worry—9pm. And if you walk down H Street to no. 604, you’ll notice a plaque on the facade of what is now the Wok and Roll restaurant, identifying the structure as Mary Surratt’s Boarding House. (Surratt conspired here with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate President Lincoln.) The property plays up the Chinatown connection, with the color red and Chinese symbols predominating in furnishings. Most spacious are 10th-floor rooms (which also have high ceilings) and corner suites ending in “24.” Fifth Street–facing rooms offer nice city views. Executive king rooms have pullout sofas. Suites and double-queen rooms have mini-fridges and microwaves, which are available upon request in king and executive king rooms. Guests also like the key-only access to elevators, the availability of a coin-operated washer/dryer, as well as same-day dry-cleaning service (for a fee), and the complimentary hot breakfast buffet, which includes eggs, sausage, and waffles.