21 Best Hotels in Washington, D.C., USA

Understated elegance and refined service can be found at this soothing city getaway, where the guest rooms—designer Tony Chi's minimalist tribute to the American experience—feature walnut floors, hard-covered books, and folk-art accents. The spa-inspired stone bathrooms have rain showers and marble soaking tubs. The Blue Duck Tavern embraces local flavors and local produce, while the Tea Cellar, with its unusual collection of rare teas, holds regular tastings.

Great for exploring Georgetown, this hotel centers on an elegant central courtyard and gardens, overlooked by the large glassed-in lobby and half of the bright, spacious rooms. Accommodations are furnished with a stylish mix of traditional and contemporary pieces in a soothing palette of gray and white with purple accents. The Juniper restaurant serves Mid-Atlantic fare that might incorporate herbs and honey from the rooftop garden and hives. The hotel's canine ambassador, Georgie, a two-year-old yellow lab, is often in the lobby greeting guests. Children can ask for a copy of her coloring book.

With its magnificent block-long lobby filled with antique crystal chandeliers, layers of gold trim, and gilded columns, there's little wonder that this luxurious landmark has hosted presidential balls since its opening in 1925, as well as historic news conferences and even, for a short time, the Chinese Embassy. Even if you are not a visiting dignitary, being just steps from the Metro and within walking distance of numerous restaurants, shops, and tourist sites makes the Mayflower special. The guest rooms and palatial suites, done in shades of gray with bright splashes of color, are, in their own way, destinations in themselves. A stop  at the Edgar, its classic lobby bar is a must for a quintessential D.C. cocktail hour. 

Since its opening in 1930, this elegant landmark overlooking Rock Creek Park, a Historic Hotels of America member, has welcomed heads of state, U.S. politicians, and celebs like the Beatles, Judy Garland, and Bob Hope. Today, it is still luring guests with gorgeous public spaces and light-filled guest rooms. Lovingly tended and aging gracefully, its rooms, many of which are larger than normal, are appointed with sophisticated furniture in luxurious fabrics and equipped with small but snazzy marble bathrooms. Families will love the large pool, bike rentals, welcome backpack and cookies, hammocks, and fire pit. Extra effort is made to care for guests' special requests, and the excellent location means easy walks to restaurants and Adams Morgan.

Favored by American presidents and other newsmakers, this Washington landmark, only two blocks from the White House, offers superb service, a wealth of amenities, and guest rooms filled with period detail and Federal-style furniture. The spectacular Beaux-Arts lobby showcases great columns, sparkling chandeliers, mosaic floors, and elaborate ceilings—a Washington sight in itself. The French bistro–style restaurant Café du Parc serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual atmosphere, and high tea is served in Peacock Alley. Occidental Grill & Seafood is a top dining destination for its great steaks and delicacies from the sea. The Willard's archives chronicle the hotel's legendary past with photos, newspaper articles, and artifacts. A popular monthly History, Happy Hour mixology series, draws a wide range of locals and visitors.

Luxurious and practical at the same time, this is a great choice for families and groups because all the suites have separate bedrooms and full kitchens, and some have views of the city and the Potomac River. Amber, brown, gray, and cream furnishings in the lobby and guest quarters contrast playfully with a collection of curated photos of film stars and animal-print rugs. La Piazza specializes in pizza and has a full bar, and the terrace is a nice place to unwind after a day of sightseeing or work.

A great choice if you want to stay on the Hill and need some extra room to spread out: all Federalist-chic-style units are suites, with kitchenettes, large work desks, flat-screen TVs, and spacious closets. An eco-friendly sensibility extends from free-trade coffee in the lobby to water-saving showerheads in every bathroom; it's also pet-friendly. Staying here has a residential feel, though it's a short walk to plenty of restaurants and major sights on the Mall. 

All accommodations at this convenient hotel within walking distance of Georgetown and Dupont Circle have a living room and bedroom, making it an excellent choice for families. The recently renovated lobby, with its modern and sleek decor, also gives it a business hotel feel. Beverages and appetizers are complimentary at the nightly manager's reception, and the rate includes cooked-to-order breakfast. An indoor pool is a plus, especially during the city's hot summers. 

A favorite among celebrities, executives, and diplomats, the Four Seasons is one of the District's most sought-after luxury hotels. It offers upscale, ultramodern rooms outfitted in calming neutrals, plush beds, and French limestone or marble baths with separate showers and sunken tubs. A 4,600-piece original art collection graces the walls, including works by Fernando Botero, Helen Frankenthaler, and Andy Warhol. The restaurant, Bourbon Steak, is a favorite of sophisticated diners, and Seasons is the power-breakfast spot in D.C. The sophisticated spa here is one of the best in town.

A stay at this LEED-certified hotel puts you close to the National Mall, with spectacular river and monument views from certain rooms—all of which have floor-to-ceiling windows. Modern rooms have a D.C. touch with a subtle cherry blossom design. Guests can find a Starbucks, a restaurant, a lounge, a café, a market, a heated outdoor pool, and a fitness center on-site. With spaces that can accommodate upward of 800 guests, the hotel is also an excellent spot for large meetings or weddings. The Smithsonian museums and several government agencies (USDA, USPS, and DOT) are within a few blocks, and the Metro station is on the lower level. 

Family-friendly and centrally located, The Holiday Inn Central White House has all the amenities to keep families (and business travelers) happy. A rooftop pool is a major asset, especially during the hot D.C. summer days. The recently renovated rooms are simple yet spacious and have a small kitchenette with microwaves and a refrigerator, perfect for extended stays or families. The hotel also offers laundry rooms for guests with state-of-the-art washers and dryers. 

One block from the National Air and Space Museum, this family-friendly hotel is in an excellent location for those bound for the Smithsonian museums. During the summer, kids can enjoy the rooftop pool with a view of the Capitol. A full-service restaurant, Capitol Bistro, is on-site, and a sizable hotel bar at the 21st Amendment Bar and Grill. In the lobby, there is space to relax, charge phones, and work at a table, and a full-service Starbucks fulfills many a caffeine fix. With two metro stations nearby, it makes the hotel a good base for exploring the city. 

Despite its tiny lobby, this sophisticated and art-focused Kimpton hotel, just south of vibrant Dupont Circle, provides the perfect respite after an evening of restaurant and club hopping along P Street and Connecticut Avenue. Rooms, some with balconies overlooking leafy New Hampshire Avenue, are comfortable and attractive, outfitted in neutral colors. As part of the refurbishment, many rooms have larger bathrooms than previously, and there is also now a 24-hour gym.

Families and business travelers will appreciate this modern hotel conveniently located in the West End neighborhood just a few blocks from the Foggy Bottom–GWU Metro and a short walk from Georgetown. The modern rooms are decorated in neutral colors with basic yet comfortable furnishings, and the lobby offers lovely seating areas. The daily hot breakfast buffet, on-site bar, and 24-hour market add to the appeal of this hotel. The fitness center and indoor pool are also a plus. 

Tucked away on a quiet tree-lined street, this stylish Kimpton property makes for a comfortable and convenient base for exploring the city. Spacious rooms are elegantly understated with plush beds and furnishings in rich woods. The intimate restaurant and lounge serves modern American cuisine and classic cocktails.

Rock 'n' roll palace meets thrift shop in this guesthouse, a funky D.C. landmark that draws celebrities and notables. While the two-story Log Cabin and Lennon suites are extravagantly decorated and priced, even the less-expensive options are unique, like the Safari room, with its leopard-print decor and situated in a quiet corner of the five-town-house complex. All guests have access to common rooms where they might catch a glimpse of the visiting celebrities who prize the inn for its privacy and security.

This hotel is not posh, but it is ideal for families or business travelers staying for a few days, and all rooms have kitchen facilities, including a full-size refrigerator. Sinks outside the bathrooms make it easier for family groups to get ready in the morning, and all rooms have large closets.

This all-suite hotel is close to the Kennedy Center, George Washington University, and Georgetown. Its roomy, one-bedroom units have full kitchens and living-dining areas with desks, dining tables, and sofa beds. The rooftop pool provides a place to relax after summertime sightseeing. Amenities such as complimentary hot American breakfast daily, Wi-Fi, and a fitness room are a bonus, especially for families. 

Once an incinerator dating from the 1920s, this building still topped with a smokestack might seem the most unlikely of places for a luxury hotel, but settle into one of the large and chicly designed guest rooms. A fire theme unites the intimate spaces, a complete departure from the chain's more traditional style, while exceptionally spacious guest rooms, outfitted in restful hues of mint and gray, convey the opposite effect. If you're looking for a place to relax, its modern spa is small but luxurious, with a relaxation lounge, steam room, and treatment rooms. Have a drink at The Living Room, the lobby bar with a warm decor of exposed brick walls, a wood fireplace, and live DJ lounge music on the weekends. 

Although not truly in Georgetown (but nearby), this Westin's location in a busy part of the West End makes it popular with both business and leisure travelers—all of whom appreciate the stately, comfortable rooms and spalike bathrooms with sunken tubs and separate glassed-in showers. The courtyard, with its fountain and comfortable seating, is especially nice for relaxing, and there's a lovely outdoor pool. Runners can join the concierge for Tuesday and Thursday morning guided runs, and the fitness studio has Pelotons.