Best places to stay in Washington, DC
The majestic city of Washington, DC is home to some of the grandest memorials and monuments, scenic parks, quirky and fun museums, and a fantastic food and drink scene. While most visitors are here to explore the city’s history, the Smithsonian museums and the iconic government institutions, DC offers plenty of attractions for art enthusiasts, nature lovers and foodies as well. Wherever you stay in DC, you’ll get a generous dose of all these attractions in various neighbourhoods.
Capitol Hill
This neighbourhood gets its name from the gleaming white Capitol building that dominates the area. Apart from residential blocks of charming Victorian townhomes, you’ll spot politicians, lobbyists and dealmakers mingling at the fine restaurants and bars. The H Corridor offers some hip shopping and nightlife options while the bustling Eastern Market’s farm-fresh produce is what this neighbourhood wakes up to each morning. Enjoy the chic rooms and suites of the elegant Capitol Hill Hotel, just a short walk from the popular sites in this area. You can also look at the contemporary rooms of Courtyard by Marriott Washington Capitol Hill / Navy Yard hotel, just a short walk from the National Parks.
Georgetown and Foggy Bottom
Georgetown is a popular high-end shopping destination, with everything from eclectic antiques and housewares to clothes and shoes. Along M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, there are plenty of options to eat, drink and be merry. The area’s tree-lined streets and waterfront parks offer wonderful views of the Potomac. The neighbouring area of Foggy Bottom is home to the White House, the war memorials and the George Washington University. Indulge in a luxurious stay with rooms decorated in gold tones and chic wood paneling at the stylish Rosewood Washington, D.C. hotel. Check out the fully equipped suites of Georgetown Suites, just an 8-minute walk from the Georgetown Waterfront Park. Enjoy a unique blend of historic charm and urban sophistication at Hotel Lombardy, set in a 1920s opulent building in the heart of Foggy Bottom.
Downtown Washington, DC
Downtown DC is a compact neighbourhood with wide streets, tall buildings, and a host of museums and art galleries. Enjoy the sleek contemporary rooms, atrium courtyard, heated indoor pool and a hip bistro in the Grand Hyatt Washington hotel. It’s located on H Street, in the heart of Downtown DC. You can also consider the bright rooms and modern amenities of the Hamilton Hotel Washington, D.C., set in a 1922-built building with an impressive façade that blends the Beaux Arts and Art-Deco styles.
Dupont Circle
Dupont Circle, an important DC landmark is the intersection that connects Connecticut, New Hampshire and Massachusetts avenues. This area is home to several museums, art galleries and embassies. You’ll also find a bunch of quirky shops, specialty bookstores, offbeat coffeehouses and a wide range of restaurants in this neighbourhood. Enjoy stylish accommodation in the literary-themed Akwaaba Bed and Breakfast, set in a 1890s historic townhouse. You have the choice of various individually decorated, antique-filled rooms that have been named after noted African-American writers. Also check out the sophisticated rooms of Embassy Circle Guest House, an elegant B&B housed in a former embassy mansion in the Dupont Circle area.
Cheap hotels in Washington, DC
Cheap hotels are not easy to come by in DC, but if you search carefully and plan, you’ll find a handful of good hotels at reasonable prices in convenient locations. In Downtown DC, just steps away from Pennsylvania Avenue, between the Capitol and the White House, you have the family-run Hotel Harrington, a historic structure that has been welcoming guests since 1914. Just a 7-minute walk from Dupont Circle, you can look at the stylish rooms of Kimpton Carlyle Hotel, an Art-Deco gem with modern amenities. Close to Dupont Circle, you also have The District Hotel, set in a 1913-dated brick building on a picturesque tree-lined street. Across the street from the George Washington University campus, stay in the contemporary, minimalist rooms of Hotel Hive.