At this Westin Embassy Row hotel, former Vice President Al Gore grew up as a kid in one of the suites when his father was a senator. Located in the area known for its international embassies and turn-of-the-century mansions, the hotel, which opened in 1927, is steps from trendy Georgetown, K Street business district, M Street high-toned shopping area, and three miles or less from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, government buildings, museums, monuments, galleries-and the 18-hole Hains Point golf course overlooking the Potomac River.

Guests can work out in the fitness center or relax with massages after seeing all the sights or glad-handing lawmakers. At night, they can enjoy intimate beef-and-seafood dinners in the fireplace-warmed Fairfax Lounge or the English- manor ambience, breakfast buffets and traditional American fare of hotel's 2100 Restaurant. The hotel also features high-speed Internet access, business center, and outdoor pool at the Westin Grand five blocks away.

This eight-story Westin's 206 guestrooms feature custom Westin Heavenly Beds: foot-thick pillow-top mattresses with triple sheeting, down blankets, comforters, duvets and stacks of pillows. Guests can pamper themselves with Westin's Heavenly Baths: multiple shower spray options; velour bathrobes; Brazilian combed-cotton bath towels; and citrus-scented toiletries. Other amenities include antique-style furnishings and brocade drapes.

Kids and pampered pooches are welcome here, too. The Westin's complimentary Love That Dog program features bowls, food and Heavenly Dog Beds. The Kids Club provides Teddy bears and a complimentary "story line" of prerecorded stories.

Air travelers are five miles and 24 miles respectively from Reagan National and Dulles International airports. At this Westin, repeat guests appreciate the Old-World ambience of manicured holly trees, paneled lobby and fireplaces, while families, weekend getawayers, business travelers-and a few celebs- find the Westin Embassy Row a perfect HQ for D.C. vacations.