We stayed at the Jurys Hotel, on Dupont Circle. The hotel is Irish run and quite a good value for money, especially if you are coming from New York. Rooms were big and comfortable and breakfast was rich and delicious. This is the view from my room. In the background you can even see the Metropolitan cathedral. Dupont Circle is a nice area to stay. It is not beside the Mall, but it is animated with a lot of restaurants, cafés and pubs.