Topaz Hotel

Washington´s first taste of Kimpton snuck into town and caused a delightful uproar among business-is-business types. Big brick box exterior jolts boring boardroom norms into the colorful life of fashion mags. Eclectic design breaks all the rules but makes it work: Russian icon couch pillows, polka dot headboards, striped wallpaper, rich red tapestry curtains. Lavender lobby lounge pulsates with purple and chrome, the sunny laughter of visiting Silicon Valley folk and LA movie execs. Bring your pooch, too.