Best Washington DC Hotels

The Hay-Adams is quite possibly the most sophisticated hotel in all of D.C. and not just because it has the most enviable spot in the city across the street from the White House. The property has been a mainstay of the political elite since it opened in 1928.  Past guests include Sinclair Lewis, Amelia Earhart, and Charles Lindbergh. It's also where Barack Obama stayed with his family before his inauguration.  The Italian-Renaissance design is classic Washingtonian grandeur with its myriad European influences (Elizabethan motifs, for example, blend Doric influences) Book at least three months in advance for a White House view. If they're fully booked it's not the end of the world—you can also ogle America's most famous home from the terrace (it's only open for private events, but if you ask a member of the staff they'll escort you up—if you play it cool you might even be able to pull this off without staying here). The Hay-Adams is the best Washington DC hotel to feel at home with our nation's history while also enjoying some pampering. If you're going to splurge on a hotel, this is definitely the place to do it.

Donovan House is a sexy boutique perfectly placed for night owls looking to explore D.C.’s clubs and bars. The cool lobby sporting futuristic wingback chairs, dimly-lit mirrored corridors, sleek guest rooms and rooftop pool (accessible by keycard only) which turns into an exclusive lounge come evening, make it very hard to believe that this place was once a Holiday Inn pre-refurb. If you're a traveler looking to enjoy the nightlife and modern luxury of the city, this is one of the best places to stay in Washington D.C. The 193 rooms have plush beds with dark leather headboards, and nautilus shaped Plexiglass encases the shower stalls (lit from within to cast risqué shadows into the bedroom).   

The chief rival to the storied Hay-Adams hotel is The Jefferson, located just four blocks south on 16th Street NW. The beautiful Beaux-Arts hotel is a decadent ode to the third president of the U.S. Every aspect of Jefferson's life is celebrated in superb detail here, from original signed documents that hang on the wall of the entrance to the pastoral prints of Jefferson's beloved home, Monticello, that have been incorporated into the bedroom textiles. Red Flower even designed bath products for the property that weave together the fragrances of Jefferson's garden. A dumbwaiter—Thomas Jefferson's own invention—is put to use in the dining room (it ferries up vintages from Jefferson's favorite wine regions to guests dining at the house restaurant, Plume). The Jefferson is one of the top Washington D.C. hotels to feel at home with a piece of our nation's history. At one time the nickname for the hotel was "White House North" because so many political glitterati stayed here and, believe it or not, Larry King used to broadcast his radio show here before he joined CNN. The hotel reopened in August 2009 with a full array of modern conveniences following a 30-month renovation.

The 40-room Hotel Tabard, in a trio of Victorian houses, draws visitors and locals alike with its shabby-chic charm and free Sunday jazz. Opened in 1922 and named after a pilgrim’s place for respite in Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, the hotel remains the oldest continuously running lodge in D.C. A hodgepodge of bold colors and eclectic art (dignified presidential portraits alongside a nude mannequin posing in a wooden bathtub) serve as a backdrop for the continuously growing selection of yard sale finds that decorate the quirky interior. The Tabard Inn is one of the best Washington D.C. hotels for a quaint getaway. If you don’t mind sharing a bath, you can book a room for as little as $113 per night, but if you can’t imagine going without a private restroom expect to spend at least $150 per night on a room.

This 26-room Victorian B&B spans three 100-year-old buildings on a quiet residential street near historic Adams Morgan. Steps away from popular shops and the National Zoo, the inn is also only a short walk away from the Woodley Park-Zoo metro station. Adam's Inn is one of the best places to stay in Washington DC for a charming, quiet place to rest and the amenities offered through the bed & breakfast make it one of the more affordable accommodations. Inside, rooms are simple and clean, with a rustic flair. Continental breakfast and free internet access are also included in the modest price. 

This 19th century red brick mansion, just four blocks north of desirable Dupont Circle, has period features like claw-foot tubs, chandeliers and carved fireplaces, but doesn’t forego the expected modern amenities like WiFi and flatscreen TVs either. Choose from 12 individually designed guest rooms such as the romantic Il Duomo with Gothic windows, cathedral ceiling, fireplace and turreted bathroom, or the small but perfectly formed Nantucket room, with funky seahorse wallpaper and a beachy vibe.

The formerly crumbling Allen Lee was renovated in April 2007, and now welcomes budget-conscious visitors with new carpeting and a fresh coat of paint. As you’d expect, rooms are small but they’re clean. With breakfast and WiFi access included in the bargain-basement pricing, this place is a steal, especially considering its Foggy Bottom location (if you’re willing to share a bathroom you can snag a room for under $100 per night, otherwise you’re looking at around $110 per night, which still isn’t bad). Visit the Lincoln Memorial only four blocks away, or walk seven blocks and find yourself at the White House.