Best hotels in Washington D.C.

Hotel The Hay-Adams, Washington D.C.

The Hay-Adams is arguably the most prestigious address in Washington, D.C., famously boasting that "nothing is overlooked but the White House." Located on Lafayette Square, the hotel occupies the former site of 19th-century mansions owned by John Hay—Abraham Lincoln’s personal secretary—and historian Henry Adams. Their homes were once the epicenter of D.C.’s intellectual life, hosting legendary figures like Mark Twain and Theodore Roosevelt.

“One of the city’s great heritage hotels, the Hay is a beautiful old building where ‘nothing is overlooked but the White House.’ The property has a palazzo-style lobby and probably the best rooms of the old-school luxury genre in the city.”

Willard InterContinental Hotel, Washington D.C.

The Willard InterContinental is a true Washington, D.C. institution, often called the "Residence of Presidents" because every U.S. leader since Franklin Pierce in 1853 has either stayed or attended events there. Designed by architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh in a grand Beaux-Arts style, the current structure opened in 1901 as the city’s first skyscraper. Its history is woven into the fabric of the nation, notably serving as the place where Martin Luther King Jr. finalized his "I Have a Dream" speech.

“This grandiose, opulent Beaux-Arts Hotel, the crown jewel on DC’s most famous street (and just a block from the White House), has sat in the middle of the city’s political and social scene since 1818.”

Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Washington.

The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington D.C.

The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C., is a sophisticated boutique hotel with a fascinating industrial past. Opened in 2003, the property occupies the historic 1932 Georgetown Incinerator building. It has cleverly preserved much of its original character, most notably the towering 130-foot brick smokestack that still dominates the neighborhood skyline and now serves as a unique, intimate private dining space.

“This chic 86-room hotel is the chain’s smallest and feels more like an elite Alpine nook than a hub of ever-bustling Georgetown.”

Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Washington, D.C.

The Jefferson Hotel, Washington D.C.

The Jefferson Hotel is a distinguished boutique landmark located just four blocks north of the White House. Originally constructed in 1923 as a luxury apartment building, it was designed by the renowned architect Jules Henri de Sibour in the elegant Beaux-Arts style. After serving as housing for war workers during World War II, it fully transitioned into a hotel in 1955, eventually becoming a favored retreat for politicians, journalists, and artists.

“If you can afford to, stay at The Jefferson, which I consider to be D.C.’s best hotel. And if you can’t afford to, at least stop in at Quill, the hotel’s delightful bar, where the bartender will invent a cocktail to please you, right on the spot.”

Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Washington.

Hotel Hive, Washington D.C.

Hotel Hive, located in Washington D.C.'s Foggy Bottom neighborhood, holds the distinction of being the city’s first micro-hotel. Housed in a charming 119-year-old building, the property perfectly balances historic character with modern industrial design. Its unique "hive" concept was inspired by the building’s original architecture—specifically, a hexagonal turret that punctuates the western end of each floor, creating uniquely shaped rooms with six windowed walls.

“Hotel Hive has a variety of rooms with king, queen or bunk beds to fit every budget, but at 125- to 250-square-feet each, you’ll sacrifice space. If you really want a deal (and can sleep through anything), book a “Buzz” room, which is directly over the hotel’s occasionally noisy bar and pizza restaurant.”

Pendry The Wharf, Washington D.C.

Pendry The Wharf is a striking addition to Washington D.C.'s waterfront, officially opening in 2023 as part of the extensive Wharf redevelopment project. Designed by ODA Architects, the building is instantly recognizable for its distinctive, sawtooth cantilevered architecture. This bold structural choice was a feat of engineering, requiring specialized floating floors to isolate the rooftop dining and bar areas from the guest rooms below.

“Pendry Washington D.C. – The Wharf is a nautically tinged, luxury boutique hotel with arguably the best outdoor swimming pool and terrace in Washington.”

The Watergate Hotel, Washington D.C.

The Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., is an architectural landmark famous for its dramatic, curvilinear design. Completed in the early 1970s and designed by Italian architect Luigi Moretti, the building was intentionally constructed to mimic the winding path of the nearby Potomac River, standing in stark, sculptural contrast to the city's more traditional, boxy architecture.

“The history is fascinating, the location is desirable and the attractive surroundings are a draw. Service, too, is on the ball. And so, the legend of the Watergate has a new chapter.”

Eaton DC, Washington D.C.

Eaton DC is far more than a place to sleep; it’s a self-described "radical experiment" in hospitality. Opened in 2018 by founder Katherine Lo, the hotel serves as a cultural hub for activists, artists, and changemakers. It functions as a platform for progressive causes, featuring its own live community radio station, a 50-person cinema, and rotating art exhibits that focus on social justice and local talent.

“Eaton DC has the trappings of any cool city hotel: a botanical-heavy, Instagram-ready rooftop bar that slings strong cocktails and pan-Asian tacos; a wellness studio offering alternative therapies like reiki and crystal-healing; rooms (a staggering 209) curated with records and mini-libraries.”

Kimpton George Hotel, Washington D.C.

The Kimpton George Hotel is a sophisticated boutique retreat located just blocks from the U.S. Capitol. Originally built in 1928, the historic eight-story building was transformed into one of the city's first true boutique hotels in 1998. It embraces a bold, "George Washington" theme throughout its design, balancing classic D.C. gravitas with playful, modern personality.

“The major chain hotels can be found within a mile of the Capitol, but a better option is the Hotel George, a Kimpton Hotel with a fun George Washington theme and animal- print robes. A stone’s throw from Union Station and the Capitol, it has the added bonus of a very decent restaurant, Bistro Bis, which also has a sexy bar.”

Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Washington, D.C.

The Graham Georgetown, Washington D.C.

The Graham Georgetown is a sophisticated boutique hotel that draws its name and inspiration from Alexander Graham Bell, the famous inventor who once resided in this historic neighborhood. As a member of Historic Hotels of America, the property beautifully blends its 18th-century Federalist-style architecture with contemporary, upscale interiors.

“The Graham embodies the duality of Georgetown, a neighborhood that is both a raucous night-life haunt and home to genteel Washington society. Tranquil, modern rooms paired with a vibrant rooftop offer hotel guests equal parts serenity and excitement, not to mention a tucked-away spot from which to start exploring the city.”

The Line Hotel, Washington D.C.

The Line Hotel in Washington, D.C. is a masterclass in adaptive reuse, housed within a stunning 110-year-old neoclassical church in the heart of the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Originally built in 1912 as the First Church of Christ, Scientist, the building’s dramatic architecture—complete with soaring 60-foot vaulted ceilings, ionic columns, and intricate millwork—has been brilliantly preserved and transformed by INC Architecture & Design.

“In a city that’s traditionally very industry and sort of “meh” when it comes to anything that’s not a museum or a monument, it stands out for being a seriously cool hotel with excellent design and really great food and drink offerings.”

Hotel Lombardy, Washington D.C.

Hotel Lombardy is a true Washington, D.C. landmark, standing elegantly on Pennsylvania Avenue since its construction in 1926. Originally built as an opulent private residence in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood, it transitioned into a European-style boutique hotel in the 1970s. Its rich history spans nearly a century, having witnessed everything from the Great Depression and World War II to twenty Presidential inaugurations.

“Done up in Venetian decor and beloved by World Bank and State Department types, this European boutique hotel has multilingual staff and an international vibe – you hear French and Spanish as often as English in its halls.”