A number of D.C.’s bed and breakfast inns have closed or gone bankrupt in recent years, but the Embassy Circle and its sibling Woodley Park Guest House are thriving. In fact, says innkeeper Laura Saba, “The average reservation is for 4 nights,” by way of noting the enduring popularity of both Washington, D.C. and the guest houses, which Laura and husband Raymond Saba opened in 2000 (Woodley Park inn) and 2007 (Embassy Circle inn). The www.dcinns.com website links you to both inns. Of the two, Embassy Circle, housed in a turn-of-the-20th-century mansion, is the more upscale and sophisticated option, reflecting its Embassy Row neighborhood of chancelleries and embassies and the artistic vibe of Dupont Circle, with its galleries and hip cafes. Guests are welcome to enjoy complimentary wine and snacks each evening in the elegant parlor, and an extensive complimentary breakfast, including a hot entree, every morning in the dining room. Guest rooms take their decorative cues and their names from the antique Persian carpet displayed in each. So room no. 124, the Pearl Gazvin, presents the carpet of that name and a creamy, tranquil decor to complement it. The Red Kashan carpet adds vivid color to its namesake, room no. 111, further enhanced by the room’s brilliant paintings and furnishings. As at the Woodley Park Guest House, all of the Embassy Circle’s artworks are original pieces created by artists who have stayed there. The inn also has an elevator, a rare feature of older buildings and one that comes in handy for guests with heavy luggage or disabilities. For lovely lodging at slightly lower rates, do check out the Woodley Park Guest House, located near the National Zoo.