An Insider’s Guide to Hotels in Washington, D.C.

When it comes to luxury accommodation in Washington, only a select few places rival The Jefferson. What it lacks in modernist design it makes up for in history and grandeur. Initially built during the early 1920s as an apartment complex, The Jefferson has become the go to hotel for celebrities and high-status politicians. Following significant renovations in the 1980s, The Jefferson emerged as the well-known landmark luxury establishment it is today. Conveniently located, the hotel sits essentially in the middle of what’s known as DC’s Golden Triangle. Nearly equidistant from Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, and Lafayette Square, The Jefferson provides easy access to some of the best DC has to offer. The National Geographic Museum is just across M Street NW. Its eye-catching exhibitions display many of the august publication’s iconic photographs. Walk down 16th Street NW and you’ll reach Lafayette Square and the White House in about 10 minutes. From there you can circle around past The Ellipse and arrive on the National Mall. Then it’s off to the races for the best sightseeing in Washington. Back at The Jefferson, you have your choice between 99 guest rooms that include 20 suites. Several of these offer simply spectacular balcony views towards the Washington Monument. Stop in for a cocktail at Quill, The Jefferson’s in-house lounge. Keep your eyes peeled as you never know who might breeze into one of DC’s best hotels.

If you’re the type of person who needs proximity to power, you’re either going to have to get yourself elected to office, invited as a guest of the President, or book a stay in the fabled Hay-Adams Hotel. Walk out of the lobby and into Lafayette Square. The White House, Department of the Treasury, and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building are all a stone’s throw away. You’re literally staying in the epicenter of American power when you’re a guest at The Hay-Adams. First opened in 1928, the hotel was built on the site of the former home of prominent 19th century American political figures John Hay and Henry Adams. Prior to his inauguration, Barak Obama stayed in The Hay-Adams rather than the traditional state guest accommodations at Blair House. Given the location, it’s no surprise The Hay-Adams is favored by numerous prominent visitors. There are a wealth of cafes, bars, and restaurants in the immediate vicinity. Drop in for a cocktail during happy hour and you might bump into an administration official or two. Dine at the Lafayette or take it to Off the Record, which was recently ranked one of the world’s best hotel bars. Whether you’re in for a power lunch or high-stakes business meeting, the location and luxury on offer at The Hay-Adams make it an extremely attractive choice. Come discover what makes this one of DC’s best hotels.

South of the National Mall and overlooking the Tidal Basin is where you’ll find one of the District’s swankiest establishments, the Mandarin Oriental. Opened in 2004, everything here has a thoroughly modern appeal. The hotel’s sightly architecture match innovative interior design choices. With the upper floors offering attractive views across the DC skyline, the Mandarin Oriental has gained a considerable reputation as one of the city’s best hotels. During spring when the cherry blossoms bloom, the area around the hotel and neighboring Tidal Basin transform with the arrival of the elegant pink petals. Staying here you’ll have easy access to the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood. When the Nationals are playing, this is the place to be. Enjoy popular areas around the waterfront, which are quite spectacular when lit up after dark. A 10 minute walk will take you to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the International Spy Museum, and more. Head for a meal at the trendy restaurants located in the relatively new District Warf development. This fresh locale has experienced an uptick in investment with a range of new shops and services moving in. As one of DC’s “it” neighborhoods, District Warf adds considerable appeal to a stay at the Mandarin Oriental. With a name synonymous with luxury, it’s no surprise the Mandarin Oriental in Washington ranks among the city’s best hotels.

Having adopted the pun-y motto “Buzz More—Spend Less,” Hotel Hive targets travelers with a hip sensibility. Located right off the George Washington University campus and providing convenient access to the Kennedy Center, the National Mall, and Georgetown, Hotel Hive has gained something for a cult following for its no frills attitude and approach to accommodations. With some rooms targeted to the stay-up-late and we-don’t-mind-the-noise crowds, there is definitely something in the air at Hotel Hive. The iconic flatiron building on Virginia Ave NW is one of a growing number of so-called “micro-hotels” springing up in cities around the world. These are places where room size is sacrificed in favor of community spaces and a social atmosphere. Able to appeal to social travelers who enjoy meeting new friends and possible sightseeing companions, micro hotels are popular among a younger demographic. As DC’s first micro-hotel, people have flocked (or perhaps swarmed) here to experience what they see as a smarter way to travel located right in the heart of the nation’s capital. Take advantage of the location to tour the nearby Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the Department of State. The rooms house an exquisite collection of American furnishings and historical items designed to lend weight to meetings and present an evocative setting in which to conduct diplomatic business. Hotel Hive makes it easy to visit this decidedly underrated attraction, which is just one of the many reasons we think it one of DC’s best hotels.

North of Washington Circle and sandwiched between the Golden Triangle and Georgetown is where you will find the Park Hyatt Washington. Housed in a Postmodernist building that opened in 1986, the Park Hayat Washington is one of the famous brand’s designated luxury properties. The hotel’s concrete and brick exterior conforms to the neighborhood design aesthetic and blends well with adjacent buildings in the West End. The rooms are tastefully designed with some featuring hardwood flooring and furnishings. Their appearance could easily be mistaken for a modern smart home than a luxury hotel. Hardwoods in the interior public spaces lend a gravitas to the atmosphere, something likely to appeal to those eager to get things done. Set well outside the government quarter, the West End has a far more residential appeal. With nearby businesses such as Trader Joe’s and Soul Cycle, there is a clear youthful energy present. If you enjoy outdoor activities, the Park Hyatt Washington is less than 10 minutes on foot from sections of the Rock Creek Trail. Running between Rock Creek Park and the Potomac River, the trail is a great place for a stroll and a fantastic way to see another side of DC. When you’re hungry, drop in at the Blue Duck Tavern. Consistently ranked one of the DC’s best restaurants, it certainly helps make the Park Hyatt Washington one of the city’s best hotels.

In a city with surprising contrasts, the W Washington DC is a trendy hotel set in an iconic beaux-arts directly across from the Department of the Treasury. There’s more than a bit of glamor found among the hotel’s 317 guest rooms with their tasteful decoration and kitschy pillows. Opt for a suite with a distinctly modernist appeal or just enjoy selecting between what W calls their “Spectacular,” “Fantastic,” or “Marvelous” rooms. Enjoy trendy design in the hotel bar as you sip a cocktail overlooking the White House and the Washington Monument. Originally opened in 1918 as the Washington Hotel, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Film buffs with a keen eye will recognize the W from Contact starring Jodie Foster and The Firm starring Tom Cruise. Scenes from The Godfather Part II were filmed on the rooftop terrace so there’s more than a little panache associated with the place. The W is an ideal location if you’re planning to do an early White House tour or spend a fair bit of time down on the National Mall. The brand new National Museum of African American History and Culture is a mere three block away. In terms of location and enjoyment, it’s hard to top the W Washington DC, which is one reason we’re featuring it on our list of the city’s best hotels.

Downright enormous by Washington standards, the Omni Shoreham Hotel in the city’s relentlessly trendy Adams Morgan neighborhood is a place where you can spread your wings. Built in 1930, the hotel has been a staple in Washington at least since it hosted President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inaugural ball in 1933. Nearly 60 years later, another Democrat, this time President Bill Clinton, would dazzle the nation with a saxophone rendition at his inaugural ball at the Omni. During World War II, Philippine President Manual Quezon made the Omni his official residence when he headed that country’s government in exile. Throughout the decades, the Omni has maintained its popularity thanks in large part to its commitment to luxury and ideal location in one of Washington’s prime residential neighborhoods. Take a short walk to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park where you can visit the Giant Pandas Mei Xiang and Bei Bei. At night grab a table at Mama Ayesha's Restaurant before enjoying the Adams Morgan nightlife. Nearby Massachusetts Ave is known as Embassy Row due to the high concentration of diplomatic missions. The global presence is well felt throughout the area and makes this one of the best places in all of the DC. If you’re looking for a spacious hotel without sacrificing luxury or location, the Omni is for you. We know you’ll agree this is one of the best hotels in all of Washington.

This hotel is forever immortalized as the place where burglars operating on behalf of President Richard Nixon broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate Complex. Eventually the crime and resulting investigation led Nixon to resign his office in early August, 1974. Even today, major political scandals are invariably compared with Watergate. The hotel, closed for nearly a decade as part of a top-to-bottom renovation, reopened in 2016 and swiftly resumed its place among Washington’s finest accommodations. Located next to the Kennedy Center along the Potomac River, the Watergate offers near unparalleled views across the Washington skyline and into Arlington. With a short walk to Georgetown, you can easily explore one of the District’s most exclusive and posh neighborhoods. Head up to the rooftop bar where and rub elbows with the city’s high-powered elite. Enjoy 360-degree views, lively conversations, and a lovely assortment of handcrafted cocktails and Mediterranean-style small plates. Foggy Bottom-GWU station is a few blocks away meaning you can get just about anywhere in Washington in no time at all. As a place so intimately associated with DC legend, it’s all the more exciting to enjoy an intimate meal or some down time in the Watergate. Just about any way you slice it, this is obviously one of the city’s best hotels.

Washington DC epitomizes power and possibilities. From high-stakes diplomacy to high-powered business meetings, there’s always something in the air. First rate museums and a host of civic, cultural, and culinary institutions make this a city like few others. Far from a stodgy national capital, there is a vibrancy found in the District’s residential neighborhoods. Beautiful natural scenery complements the host of monuments and architectural designs. As the US federal budget expanded rapidly in the post-9/11 era, Washington witnessed an investment and construction frenzy. Young idealists come from around the country and the world aiming to make a difference either in government or the private and non-profit sectors. It’s no surprise then this town was bound to have some great hotels. In fact the problem is more one of narrowing down the options. For our guide we’ve looked across DC and pulled together a choice listing of some exclusive places to stay. You won’t regret your time at any one of these, so enjoy the city with the help of this insider’s guide hotels in Washington, D.C.