Ghost Cities · Washington DC

Where to Stay in Washington, D.C.: Neighborhoods and Hotels

We run walking tours in Arizona, and we research haunted history everywhere. This is our honest local guide to Where To Stay In DC: the tours worth booking and the stories behind them.

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Our top picks in Where To Stay In DC

Top pick

The Hay - Adams

Overlooking the White House, the historic Hay-Adams hotel in Washington, D.C. not only boasts a prime location but also offers exquisite gourmet dining and convenient access to the city's major attractions. Guests at The Hay-Adams are treated to amenities like free WiFi, in-room Bose CD players, and luxurious Italian bed linens, along with complimentary daily newspapers and access to a business center. The hotel's Lafayette Room provides an exceptional dining experience with contemporary American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while the Off the Record Bar features a unique dinner menu and an extensive wine list. Situated within 2.1 miles of key landmarks like the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building, and just 1.2 miles from The Smithsonian and the National Mall, The Hay-Adams offers an ideal base for exploring the layered history and culture of the area.

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Top pick

Riggs Washington DC

Situated in the historic building that once housed Riggs National Bank, the Riggs Washington DC hotel provides contemporary accommodations just a 5-minute walk from the Gallery Place - Chinatown Metro Station. The rooms at Riggs Washington DC boast stunning city views of the Penn Quarter and are equipped with Smart TVs and complimentary WiFi access throughout. Culinary delights await at Cafe Riggs and Lounge, serving classic American fare, while Silver Lyan, a cocktail mixology bar, is uniquely located in the original basement vault. Additionally, guests have access to a rooftop event space, adding to the allure of this blend of history and modern luxury.

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Top pick

Conrad Washington DC

Situated in the heart of downtown Washington DC, Conrad Washington DC is conveniently located just two blocks from the Washington Convention Center, Capital One Arena, and the Metro Center and Gallery Place metro stops, adjacent to CityCenter DC's luxury shopping and dining. The hotel's chic guestrooms boast city views, a 55-inch HDTV, a well-stocked mini-bar, and espresso machines, along with a private bathroom in each room. Guests can savor fresh seafood at the on-site restaurant, Estuary, or enjoy cocktails with panoramic views of DC monuments at the rooftop bar, Summit. The hotel ensures guest convenience with a 24-hour front desk and complimentary WiFi. The White House is just 1.1 miles away, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a mere 5.6 miles from the hotel, making it an ideal location for both leisure and business travelers.

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More worth a look

Thompson Washington DC, part of Hyatt

Just an 8-minute walk from Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Thompson Washington DC, a part of Hyatt, offers comfortable accommodations complete with a fitness center, private parking, an on-site restaurant, and a bar. This 4-star hotel features room service and a 24-hour front desk, with select units boasting balconies that offer city views. Rooms at the hotel are well-appointed with a desk, a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries, a flat-screen TV, and air conditioning, with some rooms also including a terrace. Guests can enjoy the convenience of bed linen and towels in every room. Situated 1.2 miles from The Capitol and 1.4 miles from the National Museum of the American Indian, the hotel is also conveniently located 6.8 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

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InterContinental - Washington D.C. - The Wharf, an IHG Hotel

Situated on the vibrant mile-long pier of The Wharf, this hotel is a gateway to an array of restaurants, retail shops, and exciting activities along DC’s Potomac River. Guests can enjoy a range of top-notch amenities in their rooms, including a Nespresso machine®, a 50 inch Smart TV with Bluetooth, an in-room safe, and a mini bar. The hotel houses three diverse dining and bar options, boasts a state-of-the-art fitness center, a business center, and a rooftop pool offering stunning views of the DC skyline. Conveniently located, the property is just 12 minutes from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, 45 minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport, and 15 minutes from Union Station, The White House, Capitol Hill, and other iconic destinations in the District.

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Canopy By Hilton Washington DC The Wharf

Situated in Washington, D.C., just a 14-minute stroll from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Canopy By Hilton Washington DC The Wharf offers a range of amenities including complimentary bikes, private parking, a fitness center, and a shared lounge. The hotel, which features a 24-hour front desk and a terrace, also boasts an on-site restaurant serving African and American cuisine, along with a bar. Guests can enjoy comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, free toiletries, and complimentary WiFi, some of which offer scenic city views. An American breakfast is available daily, enhancing your stay at Canopy By Hilton Washington DC The Wharf. The hotel is conveniently located near attractions such as the National Museum of the American Indian, US Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the Washington Monument, with Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport just 5.6 miles away.

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Lyle DC

Lyle DC, conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from Dupont Circle and its Metro Station, offers guests an exceptional stay with an on-site restaurant and complimentary WiFi. The hotel's rooms, many featuring a fully equipped kitchenette, are designed for comfort and convenience, each equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a work desk, ironing facilities, and a private bathroom with a shower and hairdryer. Guests are invited to start their day with complimentary coffee in the lobby and can savor upscale American cuisine with a European twist at Lyle's, the hotel's on-site restaurant. Lyle DC's prime location means it's just a 5-minute drive to the White House and only 1.6 miles from the National Mall, with the nearest Capital Bikeshare station for easy city exploration just 820 feet away.

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Hotel Madera

Hotel Madera welcomes guests with stylishly decorated rooms, each featuring a flat-screen TV and a work desk, adorned in soothing cool tones. For added convenience, coffee makers are available upon request, and select rooms boast the luxury of a balcony. Dining at the hotel's Firefly Restaurant promises a gastronomic experience with its contemporary American comfort food and a diverse selection of cocktails. For guests' convenience, Hotel Madera provides Wi-Fi access throughout and offers valet parking services. Situated ideally, the hotel is just a mile from the White House and two miles from the Washington National Monument, making it a perfect base for exploring the city's attractions.

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citizenM Washington DC NoMa

Located in Washington, just 0.9 miles from the Walter E Washington Convention Center, the citizenM Washington DC NoMa offers an exceptional stay with its own restaurant and bar, and is conveniently situated 1.2 miles from both the Supreme Court and the Capitol, with the National Gallery of Art also 1.2 miles away. Each guest room in the hotel is equipped with a flat-screen TV, ensuring a comfortable and connected stay. Guests can indulge in a diverse hot & cold breakfast buffet, featuring unique local delicacies, classic favorites, and a range of healthy options catering to vegans and vegetarians. The friendly staff at citizenM are always on hand at the reception to assist guests, making for a welcoming and helpful environment.

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HighRoad Washington DC

HighRoad Washington DC, nestled within a historic Victorian mansion in Washington, D.C., offers a unique lodging experience just 0.7 miles from Dupont Circle and 1.6 miles from the heart of the city. This hotel provides guests with free WiFi across the property. Accommodations include access to a shared kitchen and a cozy common lounge complete with a fireplace. Additional amenities include lockers, a 24-hour front desk, and complimentary on-site computers. Catering to diverse needs, HighRoad Washington DC features both private and dormitory-style air-conditioned rooms, each fitted with comfortable memory foam mattresses. It's important to note that all rooms are accessible only via stairs, adding to the charm of this traditional mansion stay.

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Pick the neighborhood first

In Washington, D.C. the neighborhood decides your trip more than the hotel does. Stay near the National Mall or downtown and the monuments are a walk away. Pick Dupont Circle or Georgetown and you trade proximity for galleries, restaurants, and streets with real character. The Wharf puts you on the Potomac with rooftop pools and a pier of restaurants, and NoMa or Capitol Hill keep you close to Union Station for early trains. The hotels above are our honest picks across all of them, strongest first.

Washington, D.C. skyline near the National Mall hotel district

Where each pick puts you

The Hay-Adams overlooks the White House itself and has hosted presidents and dignitaries for a century; it is the historic splurge. Riggs occupies the former Riggs National Bank in Penn Quarter, with a cocktail bar in the original basement vault, and the Conrad sits two blocks from the convention center beside CityCenter's shopping, with monument views from its rooftop bar. Down on the water, the InterContinental and the Canopy by Hilton anchor the Wharf, the former with a rooftop pool over the Potomac, the latter a 14-minute walk from the Air and Space Museum.

Dupont Circle offers Lyle, five minutes from the Metro with kitchenettes in many rooms, and Hotel Madera, home of the Firefly restaurant, both a short hop from Embassy Row. The Thompson covers Navy Yard, eight minutes from Nationals Park, useful on game days. citizenM in NoMa is the compact-and-modern option near Union Station and the Capitol. And HighRoad, a hostel-style stay in a Victorian mansion near Dupont, is the budget pick, with memory foam mattresses, a shared kitchen, and stairs-only access that is part of the charm.

Historic hotel facades in a Washington, D.C. neighborhood

Booking notes

Book near a Metro station and you will not miss having a car; Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, and Gallery Place are the most useful stops. Spring cherry blossom season and any week Congress is busy push rates up, so reserve early. If your trip revolves around the museums, stay downtown or on the Mall side; if it revolves around dinners, pick Dupont or Georgetown and commute to the monuments.

Questions people ask

What is the best area for first-time visitors?

Downtown or near the National Mall. You can walk to the monuments, the Smithsonian museums, and the Archives, and Metro lines converge there for everything else.

Which hotels are historic?

The Hay-Adams, overlooking the White House, and Riggs, in the former Riggs National Bank building, are the two on our list with real history in the walls. HighRoad's Victorian mansion adds period charm at a fraction of the price.

Are there budget-friendly picks?

HighRoad offers private and dormitory-style rooms in a Victorian mansion near Dupont Circle, and citizenM's compact rooms in NoMa keep rates down without feeling cheap.

Do you need a car in D.C.?

No. The Metro, Capital Bikeshare, and your own feet cover the city, and hotel parking is expensive. Pick a hotel near a station and skip the rental.

Keep planning your D.C. trip

Pair this guide with things to do in D.C. and the haunted side of Washington, browse our ranked D.C. ghost tours list for the evening, or start from our Washington, D.C. hub.

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