Where to Stay in Washington D.C.? – The Complete Guide to Hotels in the Federal Capital
It's important to know which area to book a hotel or apartment in Washington D.C., to enjoy all the state capital has to offer.
The five most popular areas for tourists visiting the city are:
- Mount Vernon Square – A mix of vibrant city life with buttoned-up Washington
- Downtown – Prestigious institutions in the heart of the city
- Georgetown – Unique boutique hotels in a lively neighborhood
- The Wharf – The Wharf at Southwest Waterfront – Hotels with views of boats and river in a lively entertainment area
- West End – High standard accommodation that's easy on the wallet, in a great location
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Click here for a list of 10 great hotels in the heart of Washington…
Click here for all the information about a trip to Washington DC…
Map of Accommodation Areas in Washington DC
Here's everything you need to know about the neighborhoods and accommodation areas in Washington DC – to choose the perfect base for your stay.
Washington D.C., the capital of the USA, is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in America. The state-like city is filled with attractions, museums, and national sites. To fully experience the city, it's recommended to find accommodation and stay for a few days. Downtown boasts a large number of accommodations at various levels, some with a diplomatic flair and others close to the action, entertainment, and nightlife.
This guide is designed to pinpoint the perfect lodging options in Washington to maximize your enjoyment of the magnificent capital. The city has its own character, with a very buttoned-up downtown and other much more vibrant areas.
The 5 best areas to stay in Washington D.C.
Mount Vernon Square
The district around Mount Vernon Square is located north of the Penn Quarter. It's named after George Washington's estate in Virginia. The area beautifully blends the buttoned-up Washington of the Mall with touches of the vibrant city to the north of the National Monuments and Museums area. Around the square are numerous hotels, ranging from luxurious five-star accommodations to more modest three-star options. All the hotels in the square's vicinity are excellent and very convenient in terms of location.
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Advantages – Location, location, location; both Washington's downtown and a very short distance from the National Mall
Disadvantages – A bit bustling
General hotel standard – High level, mainly big and strong network brands
Washington Downtown
The section known as the Downtown Washington hotels is nestled in the triangle between Lafayette Square to the south (north of the White House) and Thomas Circle to the east (where the National City Christian Church is located) and Scott Circle to the northwest. Near Thomas Circle, there's a good number of excellent urban boutique hotels and three-star hotels, the most dominant of which is the Westin. Around Scott Circle, there are also many hotels, ranging from three to four stars, including luxury hotels.
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Pros – Central location and great hotels
Cons – Downtown Washington can be a bit boring, with food and entertainment found on 14th Street, north of Thomas Circle
Overall hotel quality – High-standard hotels, from very formal ones to more modest options
Georgetown
The hotels in Georgetown are a retreat within Washington D.C., away from the power and pressure of the American capital, into a charming and intimate space with a small-town feel. Many of the hotels in the neighborhood are located near the picturesque Chesapeake-Ohio canal. The area begins with the luxurious institution of the Four Seasons, a grand hotel situated at the spot where the canal meets the cool Rock Creek.
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Pros – A neighborhood with a small-town feel and intimacy, not far from the National Mall. An atmosphere rarely found in central Washington D.C.
Cons – Slightly high price, not a lot of hotel choices along the canal
Overall Hotel Quality – Ranges from luxury hotels like the Four Seasons to smaller, more intimate hotels
The Wharf at the Southwest Waterfront in Washington D.C.
The Wharf in Washington is one of the most fun hangouts in the buttoned-up city. On one side of the pier are marinas filled with boats, yachts, and a ferry running alongside the Potomac, and on the other side, plenty of restaurants, bars, and hotels. The Wharf's entertainment area is one of the most popular in Washington D.C. and one of the nicest for a walk. The nightlife on the Wharf is great too, supported by several excellent hotels like the InterContinental by IHG and the Hyatt House.
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Pros – A great entertainment area with vibrant nightlife
Cons – Somewhat disconnected from the city center and the National Mall
Overall hotel quality – Excellent hotels
West End
The hotels of West End are located north of the district's main square – George Washington Equestrian Statue, along New Hampshire Avenue and 23rd Street. There is a massive cluster of hotels in every range, topped by the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Hotel. West End represents all the brands of each major hotel chain.
Click here to check availability and prices for hotels near the White House in Washington…
Advantages – Surprisingly budget-friendly and super close to all that's exciting in Washington D.C.
Disadvantages – The location is somewhat bland
General Hotel Standard – Good and large hotels, all of high standard and offering a very worthwhile deal
How to find a place to stay in Washington D.C.?
How to find family-friendly lodging in Washington D.C.?
Washington has a vast amount of accommodations, offering a wide range of levels and options. Many of the downtown hotels are known as business hotels. These four and five-star hotels serve the bustling diplomatic community arriving in the city. They are also very suitable for families due to their spacious rooms and high standards.
Click here to find accommodations in the luxurious five-star hotels of Washington D.C…
Another option for families is, of course, staying in the comfortable motels located near main routes, some right close to downtown.
The two most attractive accommodation options for families in Washington D.C.:
- In central Washington, there are numerous hotels rated four stars and above, which are very suitable for the whole family to share a room
- Of course, you can also find lodging at motels on the outskirts of the city along the highways. Motels usually have two queen beds in a room and you can even add beds.
Motels in the outskirts of the Washington D.C. metro area
- The American lodging system is fundamentally different from what we know in Europe
- Although it's definitely worthwhile to stay in central Washington, you can also stay, as is common across America (except Manhattan), in motels on the city's outskirts
- For those arriving in Washington by car, motels are a great solution, mainly because of the convenient parking
- In the Washington metro area, there are several main clusters of motels where you can find all the well-known brands like Motel 6, Super 8, or motel brands of the major chains such as Marriott, Hilton, and IHG.
- Motels offer a nearly uniform standard of large, comfortable rooms, two large beds, and a fairly basic breakfast
The main clusters of motels in Washington:
- Near the mall – on highway 395 between the waterfront and the mall
- On Route 1 near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia
- On Route 50 near Union Market east of the mall
- Close to highway 66 in the northern part of Arlington, Virginia
- In the Capitol Riverfront district near highway 695
Important tips and information for finding the perfect accommodation in Washington D.C.
Firstly, search for hotel information online
Before you book a hotel in Washington D.C., it's really worth spending some time to read what those who stayed there before think about it. There are dozens of booking websites, all offering the option to enter hotel reviews. Whether you're booking through Booking.com, Expedia, or even through a local agency, take some time to learn about the quality of the hotel you're heading to.
It's essential to read hotel reviews on Booking (reliable since only those who stayed can write a review) or TripAdvisor (less reliable – open to anyone who wants to write).
- How many reviews were written about the hotel? – If there are not many reviews, that's suspicious. Focus on hotels with hundreds of reviews.
- Filter out suspicious reviews – The fake review industry is vast. When reviewing a hotel, be skeptical of overly positive reviews (no hotel would write a negative review about itself).
- Identify trustworthy reviews – The most reliable reviews are those that are balanced. If you see both the good and the bad points combined in the same review, consider it credible.
- Spot recurring patterns – If many reviews mention that the hotel is noisy from the outside, unfortunately, it's probably true. On the other hand, if many reviews say the bed is super comfy, then great, it really is very comfortable… Good night.
Guy's hot tip – Take a Google Street View tour of the hotel's street
Google Earth has opened up new opportunities for us travelers to preview our destinations. Take a tour with this handy tool to check out the hotel's quality and its surroundings. See if there are windows that open or if the hotel's windows are dirty. Check the building's exterior – is it renovated? Are there broken doors or windows, etc.?
Also check the hotel's surroundings. Is the street where the hotel is located too busy? Or on the contrary, is the street deserted or neglected? Are there homeless people on the street? Abandoned businesses? Piles of junk? Etc. In Washington D.C., you shouldn't take a risk. If the look of the hotel or its surroundings doesn't appeal to you, it's worth finding another place in the capital city.
