10 Great Places to Stay on Your Next Trip to Washington DC

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Where to stay in Washington DC - exploring the area during the Cherry Blossom Festival is a gorgeous treat.
Photo of Lincoln Memorial during Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo credit: Melissa Mortenson

Looking for the best hotels to stay in on your next trip to Washington, DC? Here are ten DC hotels for you to look into, depending on your travel needs and priorities. There are several parts of the city to stay in, each with its own unique vibe. If you’re coming in spring to view the famous DC cherry blossoms, you’ll want to be downtown. Coming with your besties for a girlfriend trip? Nearby Alexandria VA has great shopping. We are here to help you find the best place for you to stay in the district or even a little outside of it.

Where to stay in Washington DC - a view of the Capitol Dome
The Capitol Dome. Photo credit: Melissa Mortenson

My daughter lived in Washington, DC, for a few years, and we visited her many times. We have stayed all over DC and Northern Virginia. Here are a few of our favorite hotels to stay in and some iconic hotels you can’t miss.

1. Line Hotel

1770 Euclid Street NW
Washington DC 20009
(202) 588-0525

The Line Hotel is a fun and modern boutique hotel housed inside a repurposed neoclassical church from the 1900s and situated in the young and trendy neighborhood of Adams Morgan in the northwest part of DC. Line Hotel features an in-house restaurant, No Goodbyes, featuring locally sourced dishes from chef Michael Freeman.

Located three miles from the Washington Monument and a 10-minute walk to the Smithsonian National Zoo, you are close to the tourist sights of DC without being in the center of it all. Adams Morgan area features lots of unique and fun restaurants and bars only a few minutes walk from the Line Hotel.

The Line Hotel Highlights

  • Modern Hotel inside repurposed 1900s church
  • 10-minute walk to the Smithsonian National Zoo
  • Three miles from the Washington Monument
  • Short walk to several restaurants and bars
  • In-house restaurant No Goodbyes by Chef Michael Freeman
  • Bike rental
  • 7-minute bike ride to Rock Creek Park
  • Pet friendly
  • Kids’ activities

2. Hotel Hive

2224 F St NW
Washington DC 20037
(202) 849-8499

Hotel Hive is in DC’s Foggy Bottom neighborhood near George Washington University. It seamlessly combines a modern aesthetic with historic charm providing refuge from a busy day seeing the sights. It is conveniently located only a short walk from the Lincoln Memorial and Georgetown.

Spend the day shopping or touring the monuments, then come back to Hotel Hive and unwind. with a cocktail on the hotel’s rooftop bar and terrace as you watch the sunset over the city.

Hotel Hive Highlights

  • Near Foggy Bottom
  • #1 best value of 295 places to stay in Washington DC on Tripadvisor
  • Close to Georgetown and the Lincoln Memorial
  • Rooftop terrace and bar
  • Pet friendly
  • Free wifi

3. Waldorf Astoria Washington DC

1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington DC 20004-2501
(866) 886-2818

The Waldorf Astoria, Washington DC, resides within the repurposed old post office built in 1899. This historic building features an observation deck to admire DC from above, as it is located on Pennsylvania Ave between the White House and the United States Capitol Building. This luxurious hotel is what you would expect of a Waldorf Astoria hotel while allowing you to quickly go sightseeing throughout DC.

Waldorf Astoria Washington DC Highlights

  • Part of the Old Post Office built in 1899
  • Between the White House and the US Capitol Building
  • Close to the monuments and National Mall
  • 15-minute walk to Chinatown and the National Portrait Gallery
  • 7-minute Uber to the Library of Congress
  • Observation Deck
  • Spa

4. The Hay-Adams

16th and H Streets
NW Washington DC 20006
(202) 638-6600

The Hay-Adams Hotel is the place to stay for those looking for discrete luxury, housed within an Italian renaissance style mansion built in the 1920s. You will find excellent service and amenities in addition to picturesque views of the White House and Lafayette Park

You won’t be far from some of DC’s most essential and historical sites, and in the evening, head over to 14th Street to check out the various restaurants and bars in the area.

The Hay-Adams Highlights

  • Close to the White House
  • 1920s Italian-style mansion
  • Three onsite restaurants
  • Close to bars and restaurants
  • Offers massages
  • Bikes available
  • Bike tours
  • 10-minute bike ride to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum 
  • Kid-friendly
  • Pet friendly

5. Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown

815 14th Street N.W.
Washington DC 20005
(855) 618-4697

The Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown is perfect for those visiting with their family and wanting to stay close to the tourist highlights DC has to offer. This is an excellent option if you are looking for a Hilton and it is in downtown Washington. Located just past the White House in downtown DC this hotel is only a 15-minute walk to the Smithsonian National American History Museum. Once you are there, you are close to the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall.

Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown Highlights

  • Next to the White House
  • Close to the National Mall and national museums
  • 15-minute walk to the Smithsonian National American History Museum
  • 15-minute walk to the Walter E. Washington convention center
  • Indoor pool
  • Bike rental
  • Good for families
  • Kid-friendly
  • Great for first-time visitors
  • Good for budget travelers

6. The Watergate Hotel

2650 Virginia Ave NW
Washington DC 20037
(833) 714-0672

The Watergate Hotel is a beautiful luxury hotel along the banks of the Potomac River. It is an iconic hotel you may recognize from its appearance in films such as All the Presidents Men or as the location of Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal.

The Watergate is located next to the Kennedy Center for those wishing to see musical or dramatic productions while on their vacation. It is also only a short walk from the shopping and dining options in Georgetown. You are a bit further away from the main stretch of tourist sites in DC, but all of the major attractions of DC are only a short Uber away.  

The Watergate Hotel Highlights

  • 15-minute walk to the Georgetown shopping area
  • Next to the Kennedy Center
  • Iconic historic hotel
  • Bike rentals
  • Spa
  • Pool
  • Rooftop terrace
  • Private balconies

7. The Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle

2121 P Street NW
Washington DC 20037
(202) 410-9320

The Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle is located in the heart of the DC arts and culture scene. You should stay in a Dupont Circle hotel if you want to stay in one of the trendiest areas of DC that features many great art galleries, restaurants, and nightlife only a short walk away. You are a five-minute walk from the Phillips Collection, which is known as the first modern American art museum. The Dupont Circle metro station is also only a five-minute walk from the hotel, allowing you to explore all DC has to offer with the ease of public transportation.

The Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle Highlights

  • On Embassy Row
  • Near Dupont Circle
  • Close to Logan Circle
  • Five Minute walk to the Phillips Collection art museum
  • Short walk to a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars
  • Sun terrace
  • Easy access to the metro
  • Bike rental
  • Fitness center
  • Pet friendly
  • Good for foodies
  • Mid-range hotel
Where to stay in Washington DC - Alexandria is a good option.
A charming street in Downtown Old Town Alexandria, VA. Photo credit: Melissa Mortenson

Virginia

If you want to stay somewhere a little more budget-friendly, look into staying in Arlington or Alexandria in northeast Virginia. You will be just across the Potomac River from DC proper and only a short Uber or metro ride away from the most popular tourist sights DC has to offer. Old Town Alexandria is full of charm and history, making it worth the trip into Virginia even if you aren’t staying there.

8. The Alexandrian

480 King Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
(703) 549-6080

The Alexandrian is a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel right in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. Featuring modern rooms in a historic building, rumor has it the hotel is haunted. Enjoy a cup of coffee or sip cocktails in the hotel’s peaceful courtyard.

Right in the middle of King Street, there are plenty of restaurants and shops to peruse. If you find yourself staying here on a Saturday, the Old Town farmers market is right across the street. The Alexandrian is only a short walk to the Old Town waterfront, which is excellent for an evening stroll or taking a water taxi from the wharf to Georgetown or National Harbor.

The Alexandrian Highlights

  • On Kings Street in Old Town Alexandria
  • Walking distance to several restaurants and shops
  • Take a water taxi to Georgetown
  • Short Uber ride from Washington National Airport (DCA)
  • Bike rental
  • Pet friendly
Where to stay in Washington DC - The author outside the Morrison House Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia.
Exterior of Morrison House Hotel in Alexandria Virginia. Photo credit: Melissa Mortenson

9. Morrison House Old Town Alexandria

116 S Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 838-8000

Morrison House, a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel. This quaint historic house features an in-house lounge and dining room for guests to enjoy in addition to its charming rooms. Morrison House is located right off King Street in Old Town Alexandria, giving you plenty of food and shopping options easily within walking distance.

Alexandria, Virginia, is located right outside Washington, DC. It is full of charm and is a great place to stay if you want to get out of the city. But don’t worry; DC is not too far away. Take a boat from the Old Town waterfront to Georgetown, or you can easily take the metro into DC.

Where to stay in Washington DC - Lobby of the Morrison House Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia.
Lobby of Morrison House. Photo credit: Melissa Mortenson

Morrison House Old Town Alexandria Highlights

  • In Alexandria, Virginia, across the Potomac River from DC
  • Right off King Street, close to food and shopping
  • Old Town waterfront is a short walk away
  • Close to Washington National Airport, easily accessible by metro
  • Water taxi from Old Town waterfront to Georgetown or National Harbor
  • Pet friendly
  • Kids stay free

10. Embassy Suites Crystal City National Airport

1393 S Eads St, Arlington, VA 22202
(855) 605-0319

The Embassy Suites Crystal City National Airport is an excellent option for those traveling with kids and on a budget. It is what you would expect from an Embassy Suites hotel making it an excellent place for families. It is located one mile from Washington National Airport (DCA), and there is even a shuttle from the airport to the hotel.

This hotel is located right outside of the Pentagon. It is where we stayed when our daughter moved to DC a few years back, and we loved the location and how easy it was to get into the city without actually staying in DC. The metro is only a short walk from the hotel.

Embassy Suites Crystal City National Airport Highlights

  • Close to Washington National Airport (DCA)
  • Free airport shuttle
  • Short walk to the Fashion Center at Pentagon City shopping mall
  • Short walk to the metro
  • DC city center is only a short metro ride away
  • Near the Pentagon
  • Free breakfast
  • Kid-friendly
  • Budget-friendly

Where will you stay on your next trip to Washington, DC?

Whether you are traveling with your family on a fun girls’ trip or on a romantic vacation, there are so many great places to stay in DC. If you are looking for something more historical, consider Old Town Alexandria or a hotel near the White House. Want something more trendy and fun, look to Dupont Circle or Adams Morgan. Your perfect DC trip and hotel are waiting for you.


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