Just a glimpse of the St. Regis's lobby will take a guest's breath away. The carved ceiling, painted in gilded hues, is reminiscent of the grandeur of an Italian Renaissance palace. Louis XV-style chandeliers cast their soft light over the lush room, furnished with ornate Empire furniture covered in tapestry fabric. The regal setting invites guests to linger over their newspapers.

President Calvin Coolidge cut the ribbon inaugurating the hotel on Oct. 1, 1926. Just a few blocks from the White House, the hotel was built by Washington entrepreneur Harry Wardman. Turkish architect Mihran Mesrobian designed the hotel to resemble the gilded palazzos of Milan. The hotel was designated a Washington historical landmark in 1964 and was further honored as a National Historical Place in 1991.

Details are what set the St. Regis apart. One thoughtful detail is the handy umbrella you'll find in the closet, in case it rains during your stay. Standard rooms are on the small side but elegantly furnished with tasseled, two-tiered curtains and embossed ivory wallpaper. Floral love seats match thick bedcovers; antique desks are tucked into discreet alcoves; and TVs are hidden away in mirrored armoires. Prints of the chateau at Fontainbleau provide the finishing touch to the rooms. The marble bathrooms are well lit and include such niceties as cotton balls and mouthwash. Make sure to slip your head into the Crystal Ballroom to take a gander at the original hand-stenciled wood ceilings.

-- Angela Walker