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

This newly renovated hotel has a stylish lobby; a sleek bar, The Doyle, where dapper bartenders serve craft cocktails; and modern, minimalist rooms done in neutral colors with splashes of orange or purple. The hotel is within walking distance of many Dupont Circle attractions, and its proximity to the Metro makes it a great base for exploring the rest of the city as well.

Located along a row of quintessential Georgetown townhomes, The Avery is an intimate guesthouse that makes you feel as if you're staying with very stylish relatives. Rock Creek Park sits right next to the guesthouse, which is perfect for a morning run or afternoon stroll. The newly renovated rooms are minimalist, with a pop of color given by the unique wallpaper patterns. The property also has several gardens, giving it a quaint atmosphere. Although in Georgetown, it's a 10–15 minute walk to the Dupont Circle neighborhood, amplifying the dining choices. 

From the two giant glamazon murals on the exterior to the dozen high heels encased in the front desk, Hotel Zena is all about women's empowerment. Upon entering, you cannot miss the larger-than-life mural of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the lobby. The rooms are light and airy and decorated with art made by women. Ask for a room with a view of Thomas Circle Park. If you can't snag a room with a view, head up to the rooftop pool and Hedy's Rooftop Bar for a glorious view of the District of Columbia. 

A former church, The Line Hotel DC was made for those who want to stay among the locals. A podcast studio welcomes you upon entering, followed by an open lobby. The hotel houses the No Goodbyes restaurant, open all day from 7 am to 10 pm and featuring a wood-burning stove and a menu that changes frequently, with ingredients fresh from the Chesapeake Bay. Rooms are small yet stylish, with unique photos, midcentury furniture, and pops of vintage details.

A fascinating history makes these beautiful, 1864, Victorian town houses interesting, as well as comfortable and well-located, choices. Antiques-filled public areas have marble fireplaces, bay windows, and medallioned ceilings, and rooms have Neoclassical, French country, or Victorian furniture alongside modern amenities. The former Morrison home, on the National Register of Historic Places, became noted in 1923 when the Women's Army and Navy League bought and converted it into inexpensive lodgings for visiting enlisted men. First Lady Grace Coolidge attended the opening, and other First Ladies and dignitaries have visited over the years. American cuisine with regional accents is served in the relaxed restaurant, with its outstanding wine list and patio.

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.

With a hip open-plan lobby called "The Living Room," Yours Truly is a modern bohemian-style hotel in the West End neighborhood. Designed by award-winning Simeone Deary Design Group, who took inspiration from the 1970's Brutalist design movement, the property is perfect for design lovers looking for a relaxed vibe. The love for design extends to the rooms, with unique art pieces in each room, wood and brass furniture with leather touches, and colorful rugs. The lobby turns into the lively, South American-inspired restaurant Mercy Me in the evenings with a live DJ and a full bar and dinner menu.  

The brainchild of former Essence editor Monique Greenwood, this 1890s town house turned guesthouse—one of three inns Greenwood has opened—celebrates the richness of African American literature. Each of the rooms is named and decorated in the spirit of one of the genre's greats, like Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, or Walter Mosley. Decor is unfussy and sophisticated, with conveniences like cable TV and Wi-Fi offered in every room. Two rooms have Jacuzzis.

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. 

Just a block from a Metro station and within walking distance to Nationals Park, this is a smart choice for budget-savvy travelers. Rooms are large and nicely done in gold, gray, and taupe, and amenities include an indoor pool. The hotel is just across the street from Washington Canal Park, a wonderful 3-acre urban playground with an ice-skating in the winter and outdoor markets and food trucks in the warmer months.

Eaton is a politically progressive hotel that offers retro-cool and comfortable rooms and digital content on hot-button issues, including climate change and immigration. There is ample communal space, so guests have room for "creativity and consciousness building." Art, music, and film festivals focused on social change are a feature of the hotel. The speakeasy bar, Allegory, is a must. Grab a coffee, and delicious pastries made in-house at their picturesque coffee shop, Baker's Daughter. 

Bold, contemporary design provides a soothing retreat in a busy part of town, near many top attractions like the Capital One Arena, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Mall. The Metro is a few blocks away, as are the shops, restaurants, and clubs that have grown up in this bustling neighborhood. Recently renovated, the rooms are modern and spacious. The pub attached to the hotel serves meals and has something of a cult following among Guinness lovers; the owners have gone to great lengths to install the proper taps and train bartenders in the ways of the double pour.

Just a block from a Metro stop, this hotel, though a bit off the beaten path in the NoMa neighborhood, is convenient for getting around the city. Soothing, well-kept guest rooms feature microwaves, mini-refrigerators, and wonderful views of the Capitol building in some rooms. Business travelers appreciate the 24-hour business center with free printing. Lily & the Cactus, overseen by Iron Chef alum Morou Ouattara, is a full-service restaurant whose dishes blend West African flavors from his Ivory Coast heritage with flavors from the American Southwest. 

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. 

A favorite for political events, fund-raising dinners, and networking meetings, this standard-issue business hotel is a solid choice if you plan to spend a lot of time on the Hill. Expect to find the lobby and the restaurant, Article One–American Grill, abuzz with groups getting ready to participate in the political process. The Hyatt often serves as home base for lobbying days, where organizations bring in busloads of people to meet with lawmakers. You can feel good about your carbon footprint when you sleep here: the hotel is one of the most environment-friendly in the city, doing everything from presetting thermostats in guest rooms to using earth-friendly cleaning products to monitoring its electrical use each day. Because this hotel caters to groups and a business crowd, weekend rates are lower.

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.

The signatures of presidents, prime ministers, sultans, and kings fill the guest register at this classic Washington address, noted for polite service and stylish comfort and now rebranded as a Hilton. Custom bedding lulls you to sleep in rooms fitted with plush lounge chairs, flat-screen TVs, ergonomic workstations, and marble-and-granite bathrooms stocked with luxurious bath products and towels. The M Street location puts you close to the White House, numerous monuments, and dozens of restaurants. The lobby lounge, Postscript, serves light bites, but it's not a full-service restaurant.

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. 

This sophisticated and chic boutique hotel offers the ideal accommodations for business and leisure travelers, with ample-sized studios and suites. The location is an intersection of Dupont Circle, West End, and Georgetown, making all three neighborhoods easily accessible by foot or public transportation. Showcasing flavors from the Mediterranean, St. Greg Kitchen & Bar serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch. The stunning bar area is a great place to enjoy an end-of-day refreshment and a selection of small plates, pasta, flatbreads, and salads.