As one of the most popular cities in the United States for family vacations, school trips, or even couple’s getaways, Washington DC is practically bursting with hotels throughout the city and into the nearby suburbs. Choosing your lodging option is an important component of planning your DC vacation. It often determines how easy or convenient it is for you to see and do what you want. To help you see what hotels you might look into depending upon which attractions you hope to visit, we’ve pulled together a quick guide to Washington DC hotels. Hotels in DC vary wildly in price, so we’ve included some of the chicest, best hotels, as well as some of the cheap hotels to fit every budget. Hotels are loosely grouped into neighborhoods. This list of hotels is by no means exhaustive. But it’s only designed to be a starting point for your trip planning. Check out our list of Washington DC hotels, including...
- Marriot Marquis
- Washington Plaza Hotel
- The Mayflower Hotel
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC
- State Plaza hotel
- Mandarin Oriental Washington DC
- and more!
Hotels Near Downtown Washington DC
Downtown DC is often where many business travelers stay because of the Convention Center, so there are plenty of hotels here. The Marriott Marquis is a 4-star hotel in downtown Washington DC, while Washington Plaza Hotel is going to be a bit less expensive. The Mayflower Hotel is another nice option with a gym and a great restaurant. Nearby attractions include the National Geographic Museum, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and the Renwick Gallery. 
Hotels Near the National Mall
The National Mall is in many ways the heart of the city. It’s a place nearly all visitors end up being drawn to, whether you want to see the museums or just stroll around. Hotels located north of the Mall include the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC and the less expensive State Plaza hotel. There are also hotels south of the Mall. There's the chic Mandarin Oriental Washington DC and the budget-friendly Holiday Inn Washington-Capitol. A few of the many attractions on or near the National Mall include the Newseum, the Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery, and the Museum of American History. 
Hotels Near the Whitehouse
Located just south of the downtown area is the neighborhood nearest to the Whitehouse. Some people choose to stay here if they’re exploring areas like Chinatown [insert Chinatown guide here] or Foggy Bottom. W Washington DC is one of the best hotels in this area. The Hotel Harrington can be a cheaper option. The luxurious Hay Adams is a historic hotel right off Lafayette Square. Attractions in this neighborhood include the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Capital One Arena (home to the Washington Capitals NHL team, among several others), Madame Tussauds Washington DC, and, a little further away, the National Building Museum. 
Hotels in Alexandria
Another popular lodging option in Washington DC is actually outside of the city itself. Staying in Alexandria has some benefits, including usually less expensive nightly prices and often nicer digs. There are a couple of really inexpensive hotels off of Route 1 (like the TownPlace Suites by Marriott) or nicer accommodations closer to downtown Alexandria like the Kimpton Lorien Hotel & Spa or the Hilton Alexandria Old Town. Attractions in Alexandria include George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the shopping district Old Town Alexandria, and several smaller museums like the Alexandria Black History Museum.
Save on Washington DC Attractions
Settled on that perfect Washington DC hotel for your vacation? Now it’s time to start thinking about what you want to do while you’re in town. Consider a Go Washington DC pass, which can save you up to 47% versus buying your tickets individually.
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