I've stayed at a lot of DC hotels over the past few years, and let me give you some of my favorites in order:

1. The Willard. One of my favorite hotels anytime, anywhere, anyplace. The place just reeks of class and politics and sitting down and chatting in the nice lobby -- and very nice rooms, too. May have problems with 215.

2. St. Regis. Can't add much to the above. Just stayed there last week, though, and they do a great job on service. I used a 50% off Starwood coupon and it was still 285. Something tells me you won't hit 215 here.

3. Westin Grand. I really like this hotel, it's right across the street from the Park Hyatt. Conveniently located to Georgetown. Had a really big room with the funkiest long hallway, enclosed in the room, last time I stayed.

4. Park Hyatt. Same location as Westin Grand. Not as nice as the Parks I've stayed in in SF or Chicago, but heck, it's a Park, you really can't go wrong.

5. The Jefferson. I'm staying here right now. It's a nice smaller hotel with the feel of a Regency or Stanhope in NY, or the Hay-Adams in DC. 16th & M, convenient to 3 Metro lines. May be able to steal it for under 215 now that we're past the election. This is a Loews hotel.

6. The Hay-Adams. Just down the street from the Jefferson and the St. Regis, really can hit the White House from here. It's the original "all the presidents and their guests slept here" hotel. But, you won't get it for 215.

Others I would not necessarily recommend: Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, Loews L'Enfant Plaza, J.W. Marriott on 14th St.