The JW is a category 6 property. If you are flying into DCA, I would stay at the Crystal Gateway Marriott (category 4). You will be right on top of a metro stop, and this will give you easy access to DC (within 15 minutes to the Mall) and Alexandria. Parking is cheaper than DC, although you can take public transportation from IAD if you want to stay here.

It depends if you will have a car. If you want to stay in DC, I would not get a rental car because the parking fees are high and parking in DC can be expensive. If you rent a car and are coming from IAD, I would consider the CY Dunn Loring. It is across the street from a metro stop. They do not give free breakfast to gold/platinum members, but you can get to the Mall in 25 minutes from the metro stop. However, they do give free gym passes to the Golds Gym that is about half a mile south of the property on Gallows Road.

You should also consider the Key Bridge Marriott (category 5). It is across from Foggy Bottom, and you can walk there (and crawl back after spending a night drinking) from the bridge that connects DC to Arlington. The metro stop is a bit of a hike from the hotel (about a quarter of a mile). Parking is cheaper than in Crystal City, and the lounge here is supposed to be pretty good (they give breakfast coupons on the weekend when it is closed).

If you are willing to drive to a metro stop, I would consider the Washington Dulles Marriott Suites (category 4). This property is in Herndon, about 5 miles from IAD. They have no lounge, but they give gold/platinum members a free breakfast everyday (excluding tip). This benefit will be given to both of you.

The hotel is located in a shopping mall with ten restaurants (including a good Turkish place, an okay Afghan restaurant and your typical Chinese, Japanese, Indian [I didn't like this place - some have mentioned that the restaurant's food has more Persian influence than is typical of Indian restaurants] and Vietnamese places).