The capital city of the United States offers a wide variety of different experiences and is one of the most visited cities in the country. Washington DC is full of interesting history, the offices of the American government, cultural attractions, museums, and a lively social scene. Additionally, the city participates in the Global Destination Sustainability Index assessment and serves as a benchmarking tool for other destinations.
The city has put various practices and policies to adopt more sustainable measures around the city. Environmental accountability is now a priority for residents and visitors, and are transparent about what is really going on in the world. Washington DC is a very walkable city, cutting down on emissions and pollutants, and designing out waste by being the first city to earn a platinum rating in the LEED certification.
Several of Washington DC’s hotels and accommodations continue to adapt and stay as sustainable as possible. There is no shortage of eco-friendly housing and accommodation options for residents and visitors to stay environmentally friendly. Here are 5 of the best sustainable hotels in Washinton DC.
Recommended eco-hotels:
Eaton DC
Eaton DC is one of the hippest and most unique boutique hotels in Washington DC. It is full of first-rate luxury and high-end hospitality with bohemian interior design and outspoken social justice. Sympathetic travelers and progressive activists will feel right at home, and environmentally conscious visitors can rest assured their stay will be as sustainable as possible.
Located on 12th street in downtown DC, Eaton DC is in a prime location for exploring the city. It is within walking distance of various metro stations, The Smithsonian National Museum, and the convention Center. The new and trendy luxury hotel features an onsite Michelin-star restaurant with delicious dishes, 3 onsite bars, including a full-service coffee bar, and a rooftop bar and music venue with local and national entertainment options.
There is a health and wellness center, focusing on yoga, peace, and mind and body health, a 50-seat theater room for conferences and events, and its own personal radio station. Rooms have an impressive design, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a television with streaming service, a stocked mini-bar, and a private bathroom with toiletries and bathrobes.
Why is Eaton DC sustainable?
Eaton DC is sustainable by being a part of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). They have implemented certain measures to increase eco-friendliness, such as purchasing food and products from local sources, promoting volunteer opportunities and community outreach, offering vegan menu options on-site, conserving energy when rooms are empty, using renewable energy, using energy-efficient lighting, and cleaning with eco-friendly products.
Hotel details
Address:
1201 K Street NW, Northwest, Washington, D.C., DC 20005, United States of America.
Guest rating:
4.6 out of 5
Price per night:
From $139
Yours Truly DC
Yours Truly DC is a new boutique hotel in Washington DC that aims to create an atmosphere of approachable sociability, rather than luxe elitism. Its interior decoration is warm and eclectic, and the atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, topped off with an incredibly hospitable staff. It’s a perfect place for resting, relaxing, networking, and experiencing a luxury stay in an exciting city.
Located in the heart of DC, Yours Truly DC is just a mile from the White House, within walking distance from various museums, restaurants, shops, and points of interest. It features a South American-influenced cafe, pizza shop, and a one-of-a-kind record shop, a first for luxury hotels in DC, and a great place to chill and unwind.
The hotel is designed with wood and leather, with oriental-style rugs and accents. Rooms feature large windows with city views, free wifi, cozy beds and linens, private bathroom, television, and desk/work space.
Why is Yours Truly sustainable?
Yours Truly DC is sustainable because they go to great lengths to protect the environment and implement eco-friendly services and routines. Some of the steps the hotel has taken to remain sustainable are using energy-efficient heating and cooling, using energy-efficient lighting, cleaning with eco-friendly products, and stocking eco-friendly shampoo and soap.
The hotel also sources produce from local farms, creates seasonal menus from locally sourced produce, offers vegan menu options, reduces food waste, provides volunteer opportunities for guests and staff, restores and protects natural ecosystems and wildlife, and measures and reduces water waste and carbon emissions.
Hotel details
Address:
1143 New Hampshire Avenue Northwest, Northwest, Washington, D.C., DC 20037, United States.
Guest rating:
4.2 out of 5
Price per night:
From $149
The Dupont Circle Hotel
The Dupont Circle Hotel is a boutique hotel in Washinton DC with a lot friendly and welcoming atmosphere, with a modern luxury design. It’s one of the trendiest hotels in the city in one of the most exciting and sociable neighborhoods, but still secluded enough for rest and rejuvenation. The hotel hosts a wide variety of international travelers, making them feel more or less at home in the Dupont’s contemporary, urbane interiors.
Located on the top of Dupont Circle, The Dupont Circle Hotel is in a prime location for exploring national monuments and points of interest around the city, with easy access to public transportation. It’s one of the hippest neighborhoods, with vibrant nightlife and lots of things to do.
The hotel is more than happy to arrange dinner reservations, theater tickets, or transfers around the city, including dinner reservations at their on-site farm-to-table restaurant. There is also a bar at the Dupont Hotel, exquisitely inspired by the 1950s. Rooms feature large windows with city views, private marble bathrooms, free wifi, an iPod station, a television, and designer bathrobes.
Why is The Dupont Circle Hotel sustainable?
The Dupont Circle Hotel is sustainable because they take big steps in protecting the environment and staying as eco-friendly as possible. Some of the steps they have taken in sustainability are reducing food and water waste, using energy-efficient lighting and renewable energy sources, eliminating single-use plastic, reducing food waste, using only locally sourced fresh and organic food products, and providing volunteer and community opportunities.
Hotel details
Address:
1500 New Hampshire Avenue Northwest, Northwest, Washington, D.C., DC 20036, United States of America.
Guest rating:
4.4 out of 5
Price per night:
From $200
Hotel Zena
Hotel Zena is a viceroy urban retreat hotel in the exciting Washing DC. The hotel is a grand feminist gesture, dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of women at every turn. it’s got plenty to offer leisure guests, a lot of hospitality, and a spunky modern design, making a huge statement on behalf of women and artists. It’s continuing the project that began with the 2017 Women’s March, the Viceroy hotel group has made a statement
Located in the heart of Washington DC, Hotel Zena is within walking distance from the metro to take you anywhere in the city. It’s also within walking distance from the convention center and Verizon Sports Center, making it great for business and leisure travel. It features a bold design, with an incredible design with pair of female “Warrior Guardians” on the exterior, and an enormous portrait of the late Ruth Bader Ginsberg on the walls of the lobby lounge.
There is an onsite bar and lounge area with pool tables and a great city view, in addition to 24-hour concierge service. Rooms are studio designed with private bathrooms with toiletries, large windows with impeccable views, free wifi, a mini fridge, and a seating area.
Why is Hotel Zena sustainable?
Hotel Zena is sustainable by doing its best to make a positive impact on its community and the planet. They have implemented specific services to stay environmentally friendly, such as using energy-efficient lighting, and renewable energy sources, using eco-friendly cleaning products, eliminating single-use plastic, reducing food waste, providing electric vehicle charging ports, and putting measures on carbon emissions and investing back into the community.
Hotel details
Address:
1155 14th Street Northwest, Northwest, Washington, D.C., DC 20005, United States of America.
Guest rating:
4.4 out of 5
Price per night:
From $165
Riggs Washington DC
Riggs Washinton DC is an iconic luxury hotel in the outskirts of Chinatown in Washington DC. It’s full of character and has been uniquely restored for accommodation for business, leisure, and rejuvenation. Guests will fall in love with the design, as it takes liberties, using the city’s history as their inspiration, and the result adds a welcome note of playfulness to its elegance.
Located in downtown DC in what used to be the Riggs National Bank, it’s just 1 mile from the National Portrait Gallery, and within walking distance of various restaurants and shops. It features an onsite restaurant with delicious American cuisine, a cocktail mixology bar, and a rooftop lounge and event space with jaw-dropping city views. Rooms feature large windows with views of the Penn Center, free wifi, private bathrooms with amenities, smart tv with streaming, and comfy cozy bed and linens.
Why is Riggs Washington DC sustainable?
Riggs Washington DC is sustainable by positively impacting the planet and environment through positive practice. The hotel conserves energy when rooms are empty and uses renewable energy, energy-efficient heating and cooling and energy-efficient lighting. The hotel cleans with eco-friendly products, stocks eco-friendly shampoo and soap, gives guests the option to reuse linens and towels, uses no single-use plastics, or and provides charging for electric vehicles. Additionally, the hotel does a lot of volunteer services within the community and monitors carbon emissions and waste efficiency.
Hotel details
Address:
900 F Street Northwest, Northwest, Washington, D.C., DC 20004, United States of America.
Guest rating:
4.6 out of 5
Price per night:
From $235
We hope you have enjoyed this guide to the best sustainable hotels in Washington DC, and that the next time you visit the capital city, you choose to stay eco-friendly and sustainable during your stay.
How we select the best eco-friendly hotels in Washington DC
We are a travel research company. We check a lot of details and guest reviews before making a selection. First, we check which hotels follow eco-travel principles. Are they recycling their waste? Do they work with local communities? Are they using renewable energy? Are they not using single-using plastics?
Secondly, we check guest reviews across multiple websites and only list hotels with an aggregated review rating of at least 4 out of 5. So you can be confident you will stay at an eco-friendly hotel in Washington DC.
More and more people recognize the importance of sustainable travel. Not only is it better for the environment and our planet, but it also often leads to more meaningful experiences. If you’re interested in learning more about eco-tourism, here are some eco-friendly travel tips to get you started.
More Washington D.C. tips
Get to know the city even better and check out our other articles about Washington D.C.:
Best hotels in Washington D.C.
Cheap hotels in Washington D.C.
Where to stay in Washington D.C.
Boutique hotels in Washington D.C.
