For Every Taste: Where to Stay in Washington, DC

It’s great to see how Washington, DC has evolved from a place where herds of student groups come to tour the monuments to an eclectic city with a vibrant culture that is taken well beyond the mall.  One of my favorite things about Washington, DC is the diversity the city possesses in every sense of the word.  You can also experience that diversity when it comes to lodging in our nation’s capital.  Here are my picks on where to stay in Washington, DC from luxury to budget.

Dining Traveler Guide to Where to Stay in Washington, DC 

Classic Luxury

The Jefferson Hotel:  What I love about The Jefferson Hotel is the balance of the quaint feel of the property with the luxurious touches the property is known for. Located on 16^th St NW and M St NW, it is walking distance from the main attractions, but far enough from the madness of the National Mall.  Dining Traveler Hotel Must:  Make sure to dine at Plume Restaurant, considered one of the top restaurants in DC and have a cocktail at The Quill Bar.  Average room rate per night: $475.  Recommended for:  Business travel and romantic getaways.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel:  This property gives you quick access to the National Mall, however, it is tucked into Maryland Ave which makes it discreet yet accessible to The National Mall and the Smithsonian Museums.  Make sure to snag a room with a view to the Tidal Basin. Dining Traveler Hotel Must:  Make some time for a spa treatment at the Mandarin Oriental DC Spa. It’s truly a religious experience.  Average room rate per night: $395.  Recommended for:  Business travel and romantic getaways.

Modern Luxury

Park Hyatt DC:  Park Hyatt DC is located in the West End neighborhood of DC, walking distance from Georgetown.  I like that the location feels residential but it is close to all the attractions of the city.  If you love to run, ask for the running routes the general manager of the hotel has curated for the guests.  Rooms are spacious with a minimalistic dark wood and leather design. Dining Traveler Hotel Must:  Make sure to dine at Blue Duck Tavern, one of the top restaurants in DC.  Average room rate per night: $375.  Recommended for:  Business, girl’s trip (so close to Georgetown shopping), and family travel.

Sofitel DC:  This slice of France is just steps from The White House. So close, that it is believed that the bees of the Sofitel DC rooftop spend quite some time in The White House gardens.  Rooms at the property have been recently renovated with an effortlessly chic, Parisian inspired décor. Dining Traveler Hotel Must:  During the summer, don’t miss their Art Soiree events at the hotel bar.  Average room rate per night: $365.  Recommended for:  Business travel, solo trips, and romantic getaways.

Boutique Hotels

Kimpton Topaz Hotel:  This business travel friendly hotel is conveniently located near Dupont Circle, close to both the blue and red Metro lines on N St and Connecticut Ave. The staff is friendly, the rooms are spacious, and there’s plenty to see and do nearby. Dining Traveler Hotel Must:  Take advantage of the Kimpton free wine hour, from 5-6pm at the hotel lobby.  Average room rate per night: $279.  Recommended for:  Business travel, solo trips, and friend getaways.

The Graham Hotel:  Located on the side street of Thomas Jefferson St off Georgetown’s M Street, it’s the perfect location to go for a walk along the canals, go for a run along the waterfront, and shop on the many stores of M St.  Don’t let the small façade fool you: the rooms are quite spacious!   Dining Traveler Hotel Must:  Have a drink at their beautiful rooftop bar with an epic view of Washington, DC.  Average room rate per night: $375.  Recommended for:  Solo travel, romantic getaways, and friend trips.

Family Hotels

Hilton Garden Inn:  Located in the up and coming NoMA neighborhood, the Hilton Garden Inn has a metro stop right next to the property which takes you to all the main attractions in matter of minutes.  The rooms are big, perfect to fit a family of four who is looking forward to explore the Nation’s Capital. Dining Traveler Hotel Must:  Head to Union Market, just a short walk from the hotel for a taste of local owned restaurants and food stalls.  Average room rate per night: $150.  Recommended for: family travel, budget travel, and friend trips.

Adams Inn:  This Bed and Breakfast is located in the heart of Adams Morgan is a great place to accommodate a large family with its different room combinations in a quaint, classic DC home.  Local love: Adams Inn gives a discount to those in the neighborhood who are hosting out of town guests. Dining Traveler Hotel Must:  Take a short walk to discover the National Zoo with your family (free admission).  Average room rate per night: $150 (variable depending on room size). Recommended for: family travel, budget travel, and solo travel.

Budget

HI Washington DC:  A Hostel in downtown Washington, DC? Yes! HI Washington, DC is not only one of the few hostels in the city but it is also a hub for cultural and charitable events throughout the year.  Don’t be surprised if during your stay you witness a cultural presentation or a charity event.  As for the rooms, you have a choice of a shared space in classic hostel fashion and there is also a limited number of private rooms.  Dining Traveler Hotel Must: Ask about the tours and social events hosted by the many volunteers at HI Washington, DC.  Average room rate a per night: $29-49 for shared space; $89-119 private room. Recommended for: solo travel, budget travel, friends travel.

When looking for where to stay in Washington, DC, the possibilities seem endless as there are many great properties to choose from, regardless of your taste! Here are some factors to take into consideration:

Location: When looking for where to stay in Washington, DC, how important is it for you to stay close to the main attractions?  You may save by staying further from the attractions and use public transportation or Uber to get around.

Time of visit:  Summer is a busy time in Washington, DC with throngs of tourists and large student groups which makes for high demand for hotels, thus, higher prices. Consider traveling in the fall and the early winter. Minus a random snow storm a year, winters in DC are pretty mild (then again, I went to college and high school in upstate NY….).

Budget:  Another option is to look for lodging is in the bordering cities of Alexandria, Arlington, Silver Spring, and Rockville. All of these cities are connected by metro and will get you into the city in 30 minutes or less.  One setback is the delayed public transportation on the weekends which reduced routes and mechanical work being done.

Are you in DC? What’s your suggestions on where to stay in DC? Share in the comments! Happy Travels…