Dennis Marron now heads up the kitchen at Hotel Monaco's Poste.

Hotels to Check Into This Winter in Washington

The New Year brings fresh dining and drinking options aplenty. In Penn Quarter, Hotel Monaco’s (monaco-dc.com) Poste Moderne Brasserie welcomed executive chef Dennis Marron, who recently rolled out fabulous new menus. Marron, whose pedigree includes Alexandria’s The Grille at Morrison House and Jackson 20, also oversees two of our favorite new Poste additions: a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar with house-made olives, pickles, horseradish and chili pepper vodka (available during weekend brunch, $8) and a hot cocktail bar (hurray for hot toddies!) in the courtyard, complete with heaters, fire pits and blankets.

If you’re looking for an entire foodie weekend, check out Liaison Capitol Hill’s (affinia.com) Gourmet Getaway package, which includes one night at the hotel, a $100 credit to dine at Art & Soul, one of chef Art Smith’s cookbooks and a spot by the patio fire pit, complete with s’mores kits (through Feb. 29; starting at $249 for two).

Speaking of cocktails, across the Potomac, Hilton McLean Tysons Corner (hilton.com) recently unveiled an 18-hour härth bar in its chic new lobby that feels like a SoHo living room. Try the winter pear mojito or spiced pear daiquiri, $10.

Plan early for Valentine’s Day: Juniper at the Fairmont (fairmont.com/washington) will offer a four-course dinner on Feb. 14 ($48 per person), while the Mandarin’s new Couples Spa Suite will open just in time for Cupid’s blessing. The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner offers an overnight Romance Package that includes a bottle of Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut Champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, a rose petal turndown and breakfast for two at Michel (Feb. 10−14; starting at $279).

While you’re there, don’t miss Entyse Lounge’s Valentine’s Day chocolate buffet ($15 per person or $80 per couple with a bottle of Jacquart Champagne) and the lovers’ cupcake sampler ($36 per dozen) at the pastry shop.

It’s hard to beat a good scavenger hunt, which is the new treasure at the St. Regis Washington (starwoodhotels.com), featuring 11 riddles that will take junior sleuths to the Lincoln Memorial, the Hope Diamond and Julia Child’s Kitchen. And finally, power down the Kindle—the St. Regis has opened what it’s calling an Invisible Store with Thronwillow Press, where guests can peruse handcrafted leather books and order fine stationery while enjoying tea, espresso or whiskey.