Wow, and maybe I'm the only one who finds the GH Washington underwhelming. Stayed there Labor Day weekend and the lounge was a total zoo. Even by my low standards, it was unappealing. Got a bizzarro-world interior suite that wasn't bad, but was bizarre in layout.

I have gotten big, when I can afford it, on PH Washington, especially for the Blue Duck Tavern. The b'fasts are fantastic, the bar is cool, and dinners aren't bad (Michelin one-star restaurant, at affordable prices, especially compared to, say, Paris or Bordeaux).

But, back to what to do without being able to get into PH .... I prefer HR Washington to GH. Close to train station and National Gallery. When you have 30 minutes you can run over there, enter through the side door, pay nothing, see some fantastic art for a few minutes, then get back to HR to catch some TV.