Called by one critic "an oasis of tranquility in the city center," the Fairmont Hotel sits in Washington's fashionable West End close to Georgetown and the White House. Guests are less than three miles from the memorials, monuments, museums, government buildings and other sights that draw hundreds of thousands of tourists a year from throughout the world. The hotel's Dupont Circle/Kalorama area is one of the city's most pulsating, sophisticated and trendy sections, replete with private art galleries, museums, ethnic restaurants, independent bookstores and embassies. Shoppers will delight in being so close to nearly 100 upscale stores on Georgetown's M Street. In addition, the Fairmont is only five miles from Reagan National Airport and 25 miles from Dulles International Airport on the other side of town.

A recent renovation captured the brilliant colors of nature from the hotel's central garden courtyard and splashed them throughout the Fairmont. Even the hotel's restaurants are the things for memories. The Colonnade, rated by Washingtonian magazine as offering one of the city's best brunches, attracts throngs of locals and travelers who also want to enjoy the free-flowing champagne. The informal Bistro offers contemporary American cuisine either inside or in the courtyard. What's more, the 17,000-square-foot health club, one of the city's largest, provides a lap pool, squash court, weight room, exercise classes, whirlpool, sauna, and spa and massage services.

This Washington hotel features 415 guestrooms, which include fresh orchid sprigs, original artwork, sitting areas, CD players, bathrobes and Botticino marble baths.

With the garden courtyard serving as popular backdrop for weddings, the Fairmont Hotel is definitely the place for couples on romantic weekend retreats. And the West End's perfect for romantic, evening strolls. Families can find their own special memories in this top-tiered hotel sitting in a boffo location close to everything.