Washington is the capital of the United States, a planned city of 68 square miles on the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia. It holds the three branches of the federal government, the Smithsonian museums (free to enter), the National Mall monuments and a wide range of neighborhoods, and receives more than 20 million visitors a year.
Accommodation overview
Washington's lodging ranges from historic grand hotels near the White House and boutique properties in Dupont Circle and Georgetown to business hotels in Penn Quarter and new waterfront stays at The Wharf and Navy Yard. Rates peak during the Cherry Blossom Festival (late March to mid-April), in May-June and in autumn, and soften in January-February and midsummer. Hotels near a Metro station save on transport, and lower-priced options sit in Capitol Hill, Columbia Heights and across the river in Arlington, Virginia.
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
Hotel Hive
Compact micro-room hotel in Foggy Bottom near George Washington University and the Kennedy Center, popular with budget-minded solo travelers.
Check rates on Booking.comGenerator Washington DC
Hostel-hotel hybrid on Connecticut Avenue near Dupont Circle Metro, with shared dorm beds and private rooms.
Check rates on Booking.comHampton Inn Washington DC – Convention Center
Mid-priced chain hotel near Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro with free breakfast and easy access to Penn Quarter.
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Long-running budget hotel in Penn Quarter, a few blocks from the National Mall and Metro Center.
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Hostelling International hostel in a downtown building, near Metro Center and Mount Vernon Square.
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InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf
Waterfront hotel at The Wharf with Potomac views, steps from restaurants, the Anthem concert venue and the water taxi dock.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection
Landmark 1925 hotel on Connecticut Avenue with a long ballroom history and a gilded lobby, near Farragut North and Farragut West Metro.
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French-run hotel in two historic buildings a block from the White House, with a view toward Lafayette Square.
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209-room boutique hotel in a downtown office building, with a literary bar, rooftop venue and an on-site cafe and marketplace; holds a Michelin Key.
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Boutique hotel in the 1839 General Post Office building, adjacent to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Capital One Arena.
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Capitol Hill boutique hotel near Union Station and the U.S. Capitol, with a George Washington theme.
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220-room hotel in a converted 110-year-old church in Adams Morgan, close to the neighborhood's restaurants and nightlife; the nearest Metro is Woodley Park or Columbia Heights, each about a 15-minute walk.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Washington
1917 hotel (formerly a W) beside the Treasury Building with a rooftop terrace known for views of the White House and Washington Monument.
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Large convention-style hotel two blocks from Union Station and the Capitol, convenient for families and groups.
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Classic downtown hotel at 16th and K Streets, four blocks north of the White House.
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Large Connecticut Avenue hotel with a seasonal outdoor pool and extensive grounds, between Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan.
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Convention Center hotel with an indoor pool, adjacent to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and Mount Vernon Square Metro.
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Pennsylvania Avenue hotel near the White House, the National Theatre and Pershing Park, with Metro Center a few blocks away.
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Historic 1930 hotel on the edge of Rock Creek Park and a short walk to the National Zoo and Woodley Park Metro.
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Hotel in two 1864 Victorian townhouses on the National Register of Historic Places, blocks from the Convention Center.
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Suite hotel a block from the U.S. Capitol and Library of Congress, with kitchenettes suited to longer stays.
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Boutique-scale Capitol Hill hotel near Union Station, home to the Dubliner pub.
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All-suite hotel with kitchens and free breakfast, close to L'Enfant Plaza Metro and the National Mall museums.
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All-suite hotel near the Convention Center with free breakfast and an indoor pool.
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Independent inn in three connected Victorian townhouses near Dupont Circle, with a well-known restaurant and garden courtyard.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Henley Park Hotel
Tudor-style 1918 hotel near the Convention Center and Gallery Place, with period details.
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All-suite hotel in the West End between Georgetown and Dupont Circle, with an indoor pool and free breakfast.
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Business-oriented hotel near Foggy Bottom Metro and Georgetown.
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Chain hotel a few blocks from the National Air and Space Museum and L'Enfant Plaza Metro.
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Mid-priced hotel near McPherson Square Metro and the White House.
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Social lifestyle hotel with a lively lobby bar and compact rooms near Mount Vernon Square Metro.
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Capitol Hill hotel one block from Union Station and the Capitol.
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Foggy Bottom boutique hotel (formerly the George Washington University Inn), a short walk to Foggy Bottom Metro and the Kennedy Center.
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The Willard InterContinental Washington DC
Beaux-Arts grand hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, two blocks from the White House and a short walk to Metro Center and the National Mall. Home of the historic Round Robin Bar.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Hay-Adams
Italian Renaissance-style landmark facing Lafayette Square and the White House, known for rooms with direct White House views and a rooftop terrace bar.
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Small 1923 luxury hotel four blocks north of the White House, with period antiques, a library-style lounge and the Petite Spa.
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Georgetown flagship at the edge of Rock Creek Park and the C&O Canal, with a full spa, plunge pool and a short walk to M Street shops.
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Canal-side Georgetown hotel with a Federal-style courtyard, Sense spa, and a steakhouse (CUT by Wolfgang Puck).
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Hotel on the C&O Canal in a converted former incinerator building, blocks from the Georgetown waterfront and M Street.
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1926 Italian Renaissance hotel two blocks from the White House, known for butler service and afternoon tea in the lounge.
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Hotel beside the Tidal Basin with views of the Jefferson Memorial and a heated indoor pool and spa. Within walking distance of the Smithsonian museums and The Wharf.
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Upscale hotel on M Street between Georgetown and Dupont Circle, built around a landscaped courtyard garden.
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131-room waterfront hotel at The Wharf with Potomac views and on-site restaurants Flora and Moonraker, steps from Waterfront Metro and the Maine Avenue fish market.
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Converted Old Post Office Pavilion building on Pennsylvania Avenue, next to the Smithsonian museums and the National Mall.
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Quiet West End luxury hotel with a spa and large guest rooms, a short walk to Georgetown and Foggy Bottom Metro.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Watergate Hotel
Retro-modern hotel in the Watergate complex on the Potomac, with a rooftop bar overlooking the river and the Kennedy Center next door.
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Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
City Center
The heart of Washington with easy access to main attractions, restaurants, and transportation.
Best for: First-time visitors, short stays
Old Town
Traditional architecture and local character. Walking distance to historical sites and authentic dining.
Best for: Culture enthusiasts, photographers
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
The Willard InterContinental Washington DC
Beaux-Arts grand hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, two blocks from the White House and a short walk to Metro Center and the National Mall. Home of the historic Round Robin Bar.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Hay-Adams
Italian Renaissance-style landmark facing Lafayette Square and the White House, known for rooms with direct White House views and a rooftop terrace bar.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Jefferson, Washington DC
Small 1923 luxury hotel four blocks north of the White House, with period antiques, a library-style lounge and the Petite Spa.
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Georgetown flagship at the edge of Rock Creek Park and the C&O Canal, with a full spa, plunge pool and a short walk to M Street shops.
Check rates on Booking.comRosewood Washington, D.C.
Canal-side Georgetown hotel with a Federal-style courtyard, Sense spa, and a steakhouse (CUT by Wolfgang Puck).
Check rates on Booking.comThe Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown
Hotel on the C&O Canal in a converted former incinerator building, blocks from the Georgetown waterfront and M Street.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April) is the tightest period; book 3-4 months ahead and expect rates 30-50% above summer.
Federal employees and contractors can often get U.S. government per-diem (GSA) rates; ask the hotel for the government rate and bring valid ID.
Many downtown hotels charge a daily destination or amenity fee and $40-$65 USD per night for valet parking; confirm both before booking, or skip a car and use Metro.
Hotels across the river in Arlington, VA (Crystal City, Pentagon City, Rosslyn) and in Bethesda, MD are often $50-$100 USD cheaper per night with direct Metro access.
Business-oriented downtown hotels discount weekends; leisure hotels near the Mall discount mid-week outside of spring and fall.
Large events (inauguration, protests, marathons, Fourth of July) can close streets and raise rates; check the Events DC calendar and book cancelable rates.
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.