Washington, D.C. is a city where you can walk from the Lincoln Memorial to the US Capitol in a single morning and spend the afternoon in free museums. At the same time, the capital is much more than monuments: there are historic streets in Georgetown, waterfront restaurants at The Wharf and baseball in Navy Yard.
Where you stay decides how much time you spend on the Metro and on foot, and what your evenings will be like. Here are six good areas in Washington, D.C. and the hotels I’d choose in three price ranges.
Contents
The Best Areas in Washington, D.C.
- Downtown & Penn Quarter - best area for first-time visitors
- The Wharf - best area for restaurants and evenings by the water
- Georgetown & West End - best area for historic streets and shopping
- Dupont Circle - best area for restaurants, bars and local city life
- Capitol Hill & Navy Yard - best area for the Capitol, markets and baseball
- Rosslyn - best area for a cheaper base across the river
Below, I’ll take you through the areas one by one, with a map, practical facts and three hotels in each. I always start with the most expensive hotel and finish with the cheapest, so you can quickly find your price level.
1. Downtown & Penn Quarter - best area for first-time visitors 🏛️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying in the centre. From Penn Quarter, it’s around 1.3 km to the White House and just under 1.4 km to the Capitol.
- 🚇 Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown has the Red, Green and Yellow Lines, and several other stations are within walking distance.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: The Yellow Line runs direct from Reagan National Airport to Gallery Place-Chinatown, and my estimate is around 20 minutes. From Dulles Airport, you take the Silver Line and should allow around an hour.
- 💰 Price range: High. There are lots of big chain and luxury hotels here, but also a few more affordable design hotels.
- 👮 Safety: There are lots of people on the streets during the day and in the evening. Late at night, I’d stick to the well-lit main streets, and as in any big city, keep an eye on your belongings.
Downtown and Penn Quarter are my first choice when you’re visiting Washington, D.C. for the first time. You’ll be staying right between the White House, the National Mall and the Capitol, and you can walk to most of what you’ll want to see. Penn Quarter is the part of Downtown around Chinatown and 7th Street, and there’s more life here in the evening than in the streets lined with nothing but offices.
From Penn Quarter, it’s less than 1 km to the Natural History Museum, which is one of the ten Smithsonian museums along the National Mall. According to the Smithsonian, admission is free everywhere except Cooper Hewitt in New York, so you can easily fit several museums into one day.
See hotels in Downtown & Penn Quarter here.
The National Mall itself is a long, green space with monuments and memorials, and the National Park Service calls it “America’s Front Yard”. It’s just over 3 km from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol, so wear good shoes, and feel free to split it over two days.
The downside is the price. The hotels here are usually among the most expensive in the city, and the streets closer to the White House go quiet when the offices close. That’s why I’d look for a hotel in Penn Quarter itself rather than somewhere among the office buildings. If you’re coming during cherry blossom season in the spring, book well ahead, because the city fills up quickly then.
The Metro is the easiest way to get around the rest of the city. According to WMATA, you can pay by tapping a contactless bank card on the fare gates, and a single journey costs between about $2.25 and $6.75 depending on the distance and the time of day.
Places to Stay in Downtown & Penn Quarter
Riggs Washington DC - five-star hotel in the heart of Penn Quarter
Riggs is my luxury pick in Downtown. The hotel has five stars and is on F Street, around 350 metres from Gallery Place-Chinatown and about 700 metres from the Natural History Museum. There’s a restaurant, a bar, room service and a gym, and the rooms are soundproofed.
I’d choose it for a couple’s getaway or a special occasion when the hotel should be part of the experience. The price is well above my other two suggestions in the area, so it’s the location and the style you’re paying for.
One guest writes briefly on Booking.com: “The location was excellent.”
See photos and book Riggs Washington DC here.
Arlo Washington DC - design hotel with a rooftop pool
Arlo is on G Street in the eastern part of Penn Quarter, around 500 metres from Gallery Place-Chinatown and just over 800 metres from Union Station. The hotel has four stars, a restaurant, a bar and a heated rooftop pool that’s open in season. It also has the highest guest rating of my three suggestions here.
I’d choose it if you want a modern hotel with a bit of atmosphere without paying luxury prices. It’s just over 1 km to the Capitol, so both the Capitol and the museums are within walking distance.
Here’s how one guest sums up their stay on Booking.com: “Super location, super service and atmosphere.”
See photos and book Arlo Washington DC here.
Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center - compact rooms right by the Metro
Motto by Hilton is my budget pick in Penn Quarter. It’s on H Street in Chinatown, only around 60 metres from Gallery Place-Chinatown, where the Yellow Line from the airport stops. There’s a restaurant, a bar, a coffee bar and a gym.
The rooms are small, and that’s part of the concept, so the hotel is best for two people with light luggage or for a short trip. In return, you get an address where you can walk to most things and quickly get onward by Metro.
One guest describes it aptly on Booking.com: “It’s a very compact hotel, but everything has been thought through.”
See photos and book Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center here.
2. The Wharf - best area for restaurants and evenings by the water ⛵
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 1.4 km to the Washington Monument and about 2 km to the Capitol from the waterfront itself.
- 🚇 Metro: Waterfront station on the Green Line is around 800 metres from the waterfront.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Reagan National Airport is just under 3.5 km away as the crow flies, so a taxi is the easiest option here. My estimate is 10 to 20 minutes without traffic and around an hour from Dulles Airport.
- 💰 Price range: High by the water itself, where the newest hotels are. A little further into Southwest, there are cheaper options.
- 👮 Safety: The promenade is busy until late in the evening. Stick to the well-lit streets when you walk to the Metro late.
The Wharf is my suggestion if you’d like to end your days by the water. The area is in Southwest, and along the harbour there are restaurants, shops, hotels and apartments side by side. The atmosphere is more like a harbour town than the rest of Washington, D.C., where office buildings take up a lot of space.
According to The Wharf’s own website, there are four public piers and a water taxi, and a free shuttle bus runs in Southwest. The promenade makes it an obvious place for a stroll after dinner, even if you’re not eating by the water every evening.
The location is better than many people expect. From the waterfront, it’s around 1.4 km to the Washington Monument, and the Smithsonian museums are a little further to the north-east. On many days, you can walk to the National Mall in the morning and back to the water in the evening.
The downside is that the hotels right by the water are rarely cheap, and getting to the Metro takes a walk. Waterfront station is around 800 metres away and only has the Green Line, so to get to Dupont Circle or Georgetown, you’ll need to change along the way or take a car.
Navy Yard and Nationals Park are just under 2 km to the east, so you can also walk to a game or a concert from here if you fancy a longer walk.
I’d choose The Wharf for two to four nights, especially in the warmer half of the year, when the promenade and the roof terraces get the most use. It’s also one of the places in the city where you can eat outdoors by the water once the museums have closed. If you’re in the city mainly for the museums, Penn Quarter is more practical.
Places to Stay at The Wharf
InterContinental Washington D.C. The Wharf - five-star hotel right on the waterfront
InterContinental is on Wharf Street right by the promenade, less than 200 metres from the middle of The Wharf. The hotel has five stars, a spa, a restaurant and a rooftop pool with a pool bar that’s open in season.
I’d choose it for a couple who want to treat themselves and spend their evenings by the water. The rooms are soundproofed, which is nice when the promenade is full of life. It’s also the most expensive of my suggestions here.
One guest highlights the location in particular on Booking.com: “Fantastic location right by the water, which was lovely after a day exploring the city.”
See photos and book InterContinental Washington D.C. The Wharf here.
Hyatt House Washington DC/The Wharf - suites with a kitchen for families
Hyatt House is a few steps from InterContinental on Wharf Street. The hotel has three stars, but it also has a roof terrace with a heated pool in season, a restaurant and a bar. Depending on the type, the rooms have either a kitchenette or a full kitchen, and the largest suites sleep six people.
That makes the hotel my pick for families or friends travelling together who’d like to make their own breakfast or a light dinner. Several room types have a view of the water, so choose one of them if the view matters to you.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “My family loved the hotel.”
See photos and book Hyatt House Washington DC/The Wharf here.
citizenM Washington DC Capitol - compact design hotel between the harbour and the National Mall
citizenM is on School Street in Southwest, around 850 metres from The Wharf and about 1 km from the Natural History Museum. The hotel has a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, a gym and express check-in.
The rooms are small, and one guest calls them best suited to one person on a business trip, so for a family I’d choose something else. For a couple on a short trip, though, it’s a cheaper and practical choice between the water and the museums.
Another guest is happy with the beds and writes on Booking.com: “The beds and bedding were extremely comfortable, and the pillows were lovely and soft.”
See photos and book citizenM Washington DC Capitol here.
3. Georgetown & West End - best area for historic streets and shopping 🛍️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Georgetown is around 2.8 km west of the White House. West End is between Georgetown and Dupont Circle.
- 🚇 Metro: The nearest station is Foggy Bottom-GWU on the Blue, Orange and Silver Lines, around 1 to 1.3 km from the hotels in Georgetown and closer to West End.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: The Blue Line runs direct from Reagan National Airport to Foggy Bottom-GWU, and the Silver Line runs there from Dulles. My estimate is 20 to 25 minutes from Reagan National plus the walk. By taxi, it’s around 7 km as the crow flies.
- 💰 Price range: High in Georgetown itself, where there are few hotels. In West End, the choice is bigger, and prices are often lower.
- 👮 Safety: A calm and well-kept area. M Street can be very busy at weekends, and the small side streets call for good shoes.
Georgetown is my pick if you want to stay somewhere with more atmosphere than the rest of the city. The official tourism website Washington.org calls it the city’s oldest neighbourhood, and its heart is where M Street meets Wisconsin Avenue. Here, you’ll find shops, galleries, restaurants and beautiful row houses.
Down by the river is Georgetown Waterfront Park, which the same website highlights as one of the city’s most beautiful places for kayaking, running and cycling. The peaceful C&O Canal also runs through the neighbourhood, so there are good walks here when you need a break from the museums. Across Key Bridge, you can walk to Rosslyn on the other side of the Potomac.
See hotels in Georgetown & West End here.
The downside is getting around. The nearest Metro station is Foggy Bottom-GWU, around 1 to 1.3 km from the hotels in Georgetown. Getting to the National Mall therefore means a longer walk or a short bus or taxi ride, so try to group each day’s sights in the same part of the city.
That’s why I’ve included West End. It’s the neighbourhood between Georgetown and Dupont Circle, and the hotels here are closer to the Metro. You can walk to Georgetown in about 20 minutes and still take the train direct to both airports from Foggy Bottom-GWU.
I’d choose Georgetown for a couple or for a second visit to the city, when you don’t need to stay close to all the monuments. For a first trip with lots of museums, Penn Quarter is more practical, but the evenings here are cosier. Book well ahead, because there aren’t many hotels in Georgetown itself.
Places to Stay in Georgetown & West End
The Graham Georgetown - small boutique hotel in the heart of Georgetown
The Graham is on Thomas Jefferson Street between M Street and the water, around 500 metres from Georgetown Waterfront Park. The hotel has four stars, a restaurant, a bar and a sun terrace, and the rooms are soundproofed.
It’s my most expensive suggestion in the area and the one I’d choose for a romantic weekend. Guests particularly praise the size of the rooms. It’s just under 1 km to Foggy Bottom-GWU, so expect a walk before you reach the Metro.
One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “A charming little hotel with a fantastic location.”
See photos and book The Graham Georgetown here.
The Georgetown Inn - classic hotel on Wisconsin Avenue
The Georgetown Inn is on Wisconsin Avenue in the northern part of Georgetown, around 500 metres from the water. There’s a restaurant, a bar, a gym and room service.
I’d choose it if you want to stay right among Georgetown’s shops at a lower price than at the most exclusive addresses. Guests mention spacious rooms and good beds. The distance to the Metro is the biggest drawback, as it’s around 1.3 km to Foggy Bottom-GWU.
One guest praises the rooms on Booking.com: “Beautiful, spacious room.”
See photos and book The Georgetown Inn here.
Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/Georgetown Area - practical West End hotel with a rooftop pool
Hilton Garden Inn is on M Street in West End, around 500 metres from Foggy Bottom-GWU and just over 700 metres from Dupont Circle station. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar, a gym and a heated rooftop pool that’s open in season.
The name promises a little more Georgetown than you get, as it’s around 1.5 km to the heart of the neighbourhood. On the other hand, it’s the cheapest of my three suggestions here and a good choice if you want to combine Georgetown with easy access to the Metro.
One guest praises most things on Booking.com: “All of it: the location, the staff, the room, the furniture and the pool.”
See photos and book Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/Georgetown Area here.
4. Dupont Circle - best area for restaurants, bars and local city life 🍷
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 1.5 km north of the White House and just under 2 km from Georgetown.
- 🚇 Metro: Dupont Circle station on the Red Line is right by the circle itself.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: From Reagan National Airport, you take the Yellow Line to Gallery Place-Chinatown and change to the Red Line. My estimate is 30 to 35 minutes, and a taxi is often quicker outside rush hour.
- 💰 Price range: Medium to high, with a good choice of mid-range hotels.
- 👮 Safety: A busy and popular neighbourhood, also in the evening. As in the rest of the city, keep an eye on your belongings when you’re out at night.
Dupont Circle is my choice if you want to stay where lots of locals go out themselves. The neighbourhood is built around a round park with a fountain in the middle, and Connecticut Avenue and several other streets with restaurants, bars and shops lead off the circle.
According to Washington.org, both locals and visitors gather at the fountain to read, people-watch or meet friends. The neighbourhood is also known for the many embassies in the surrounding streets, and exploring among them is one of the reasons to come here. During the day, according to the same website, you can also see people doing yoga or playing chess by the fountain.
See hotels in Dupont Circle here.
The practical part is the Red Line. The station is right by the circle, and from here you can ride direct to Gallery Place-Chinatown in Penn Quarter and to Union Station by Capitol Hill. That makes it easy to stay here and still spend your days in the centre. If you’re heading to Georgetown, it’s just under 2 km, which is a nice walk to the west.
The downside is the distance to the National Mall. It’s around 1.5 km to the White House and further to the museums, so most days start with the Metro or a longer walk. In return, you often get more hotel for your money than in Downtown.
I’d choose Dupont Circle for a trip of four or five days when the evenings matter as much as the sights, or if you’ve already seen the monuments on an earlier trip. The neighbourhood is also well placed if you want to split your time between the centre, West End and Georgetown.
Places to Stay in Dupont Circle
The Dupont Circle Hotel - five-star hotel right on the circle
The Dupont Circle Hotel is on New Hampshire Avenue, right on the circle and less than 200 metres from the Metro. The hotel has five stars, a restaurant, a bar, a coffee bar, room service and a gym.
It’s my luxury pick in the neighbourhood and especially good if you want to be able to go out for dinner and be back at the hotel within minutes. Guests mention bright rooms and a very clean hotel.
One guest describes the room like this on Booking.com: “A lovely bright and airy room.”
See photos and book The Dupont Circle Hotel here.
Hotel Madera - boutique hotel with highly praised staff
Hotel Madera is on New Hampshire Avenue, around 300 metres south of the circle and just under 400 metres from the Metro. The hotel has four stars, a restaurant, a bar, a gym and a terrace, and pets are allowed.
I’d choose it for a couple who want to stay in Dupont Circle without paying for the most central address. One guest mentions that the hotel is a little outside the city centre, so expect to take the Metro or a taxi to the monuments. Wi-Fi may cost extra, so check if you need to work.
One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were absolutely fantastic, and nothing was too much trouble.”
See photos and book Hotel Madera here.
Courtyard by Marriott Washington, DC Dupont Circle - simple, quiet mid-range hotel
Courtyard is on N Street, around 400 metres from the circle and just under 600 metres from the Metro. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar and a gym, and it’s the cheapest of my three suggestions in the neighbourhood.
I’d choose it when you mainly need a clean, quiet room and would rather spend your money in the neighbourhood’s restaurants. Guests call the hotel quiet, but don’t expect a big design experience.
One guest writes about the breakfast on Booking.com: “The breakfast was simple, but always hot and tasty.”
See photos and book Courtyard by Marriott Washington, DC Dupont Circle here.
5. Capitol Hill & Navy Yard - best area for the Capitol, markets and baseball ⚾
- 📍 Distance from the centre: The Capitol is around 900 metres from the centre of Capitol Hill, and Navy Yard is just over 1 km further south.
- 🚇 Metro: Capitol South has the Blue, Orange and Silver Lines, Union Station has the Red Line, and Navy Yard-Ballpark is by Nationals Park.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: The Blue Line runs direct from Reagan National Airport to Capitol South, and the Silver Line runs there from Dulles. My estimate is around 25 minutes from Reagan National and just over an hour from Dulles.
- 💰 Price range: Medium to high, with most hotels by Union Station and in Navy Yard.
- 👮 Safety: Quiet residential streets in the evening. During games and concerts at Nationals Park, Navy Yard is packed with people, so watch your belongings in the crowds.
Capitol Hill and Navy Yard are my pick if you want to stay close to the Capitol and still have an area with some life in the evening. Capitol Hill is the neighbourhood east of the Capitol, with row houses and small restaurants, while Navy Yard is by the river to the south, with Nationals Park, where the Washington Nationals play baseball.
A good place to start is Eastern Market, a market with fresh food indoors and stalls with fruit, vegetables and crafts outside at weekends. According to the market’s own website, both the indoor and outdoor markets are closed on Mondays, so plan your visit for another day. From the market, it’s around 1.2 km to the Capitol.
You can visit the Capitol itself on a guided tour. According to the Capitol Visitor Center, the visitor centre is open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 4.30pm, and you can book a tour on the same website.
See hotels in Capitol Hill & Navy Yard here.
Union Station is on the northern edge of the area. WMATA describes the station as a major hub for the Metro, Amtrak trains and buses. If you’re continuing by train to New York, my guide to where to stay in New York can help you with the next leg.
The downside is that the area is long. It’s around 1.7 km from Navy Yard to the Capitol, so base your choice on what you’ll spend most time on: the Capitol and the museums, or the restaurants and the games by the river.
I’d choose the northern part by Union Station for a short trip focused on the sights, and Navy Yard if you’re going to a game or would like newer hotels and restaurants right outside the door.
Places to Stay in Capitol Hill & Navy Yard
The Royal Sonesta Washington DC Capitol Hill - five-star hotel near Union Station
The Royal Sonesta is on Massachusetts Avenue, around 400 metres from Union Station and just under 900 metres from the Capitol. The hotel has five stars, a restaurant, a bar, room service and a gym, and pets are allowed.
I’d choose it if you want to be able to walk to the Capitol and still have the Red Line and the trains just around the corner. Guests mention spacious rooms and a good breakfast, but check whether breakfast is included in the rate you book.
One delighted guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic hotel! Highly recommended.”
See photos and book The Royal Sonesta Washington DC Capitol Hill here.
Hampton Inn & Suites Washington, D.C. Navy Yard - practical hotel right by Nationals Park
Hampton Inn & Suites is on 1st Street SE, around 250 metres from both Navy Yard-Ballpark station and Nationals Park. There’s a gym, a terrace and a 24-hour front desk, and guests mention a rooftop bar.
It’s my mid-range pick if you’re going to a game or a concert, or if you want the Metro close by. Some guests feel the hotel is a little worn around the edges, so expect a practical hotel rather than a design hotel.
One guest highlights the connections on Booking.com: “Good location with access to the Metro.”
See photos and book Hampton Inn & Suites Washington, D.C. Navy Yard here.
Coda on Half, a Placemakr Experience - apartments with a kitchenette and a washing machine
Coda on Half is an apartment hotel on L Street SE, around 300 metres from Navy Yard-Ballpark station. There are studios and apartments with up to three bedrooms, all with a kitchenette and a washing machine, and the front desk is staffed around the clock.
I’d choose it for families, groups of friends or a longer stay. The price is often lower than at the hotels around it, and the kitchenette makes it easy to sort out breakfast yourself. There’s also a gym and a terrace.
One guest writes about the staff on Booking.com: “The hotel’s staff are friendly and helpful.”
See photos and book Coda on Half, a Placemakr Experience here.
6. Rosslyn - best area for a cheaper base across the river 🌉
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Rosslyn is in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac from Georgetown. It’s around 1 km to Key Bridge and just over 3 km to the White House.
- 🚇 Metro: Rosslyn station has the Blue, Orange and Silver Lines, and the next station is Foggy Bottom-GWU on the other side of the river.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: The Blue Line runs direct from Reagan National Airport to Rosslyn, and the Silver Line runs direct from Dulles. My estimate is around 20 minutes from Reagan National and just under an hour from Dulles.
- 💰 Price range: Often lower than in Washington, D.C. itself, but prices vary a lot from date to date.
- 👮 Safety: A quiet office and residential area. In the evening, there are fewer people on the streets than in Georgetown, so it’s a good idea to take the Metro or a taxi home late.
Rosslyn is my suggestion if you want to save a little and don’t mind taking the Metro into the city. The area is in Arlington, Virginia, on the other side of the Potomac, and it’s dominated by high-rises, offices and hotels. It isn’t the place for charming streets, but it’s a practical base.
The big advantage is Rosslyn station. From here, the Blue, Orange and Silver Lines run under the river, and you can ride direct to both airports, with the Blue Line to Reagan National and the Silver Line to Dulles. That’s handy on your arrival and departure days when you have suitcases.
You can also walk. Across Key Bridge, you’re in Georgetown in about a quarter of an hour, and from Rosslyn station, it’s around a 15-minute walk to one of the entrances to Arlington National Cemetery. According to its own website, the cemetery is open every day from 8am to 5pm. The Lincoln Memorial is just over 2 km from Rosslyn, so you can reach the western end of the National Mall on foot too.
The downside is the atmosphere in the evening. If you want to eat out on several evenings, you’ll often end up in Georgetown or in the city and have to get back by Metro or taxi. I’d choose Rosslyn for a trip where price comes first or for an early departure from Dulles, not for a romantic weekend.
Choose a hotel close to the station, because it saves you a lot of minutes every day. Two of my suggestions are on Wilson Boulevard and Fort Myer Drive, only a few minutes’ walk from the Metro.
Places to Stay in Rosslyn
Hilton Arlington Rosslyn The Key - modern hotel with views right by the Metro
Hilton Arlington Rosslyn The Key is on Fort Myer Drive, only around 130 metres from Rosslyn station and just under 600 metres from Key Bridge. The hotel has four stars, a restaurant, a bar, a coffee bar, room service and a gym, and it has the highest guest rating of all the hotels in this guide.
I’d choose it if you want a comfortable hotel with a good view and often pay less than for a similar hotel in Washington, D.C. itself.
One guest praises the view on Booking.com: “Very beautiful view from the windows and a clean and cosy room.”
See photos and book Hilton Arlington Rosslyn The Key here.
Hyatt Centric Arlington - four stars close to the Metro and Key Bridge
Hyatt Centric Arlington is on Wilson Boulevard, around 200 metres from Rosslyn station and just under 900 metres from Key Bridge. There’s a restaurant, a bar and a gym.
It’s my mid-range pick in Rosslyn and a good compromise between price and location. A few guests feel the rooms and common areas could do with an update, so choose it for the location rather than the decor.
One guest also mentions the Metro on Booking.com: “Close to the Metro, so it was easy to get around to all the major sights.”
See photos and book Hyatt Centric Arlington here.
Sonesta Select Arlington Rosslyn - simple hotel at a lower price
Sonesta Select is on Clarendon Boulevard, just under 500 metres from Rosslyn station. The hotel has three stars, a restaurant, a gym, a garden and a laundry, and it’s my simplest suggestion in Rosslyn.
The guest rating is 7.9, which is a little lower than for the other hotels in this guide. The price varies a lot, but it’s often at the low end for the area, so compare it with Hyatt Centric for your dates. You’ll have the Metro, Key Bridge and Georgetown within walking distance.
One guest writes about the service on Booking.com: “The reception and the service were excellent.”
See photos and book Sonesta Select Arlington Rosslyn here.
Where should you avoid staying in Washington, D.C.?
For a first trip, I wouldn’t stay far out in the suburbs to save on the hotel. The sights in Washington, D.C. are close together, and a long journey by Metro or car every morning and evening quickly eats up the savings. A hotel by Dulles Airport suits an early departure, but not the city break itself.
I also wouldn’t choose a hotel just because it has the word Washington in its name. Many hotels are in Virginia or Maryland, a good way from the Metro, so always check the address and the distance to the nearest station on the map before you book. If you choose an area outside D.C., stay close to a Metro station, as in Rosslyn.
If it’s your first trip, I’d choose Downtown and Penn Quarter, because you can walk to most things and have the Metro close by. The Wharf is the best alternative if evenings by the water matter a lot to you, and Capitol Hill and Navy Yard suit you well if you want to combine the Capitol with markets or baseball.
Georgetown and Dupont Circle are for you if you want more atmosphere and good restaurants in the evening, while Rosslyn is the practical and often cheaper base on the other side of the river.
If your trip also takes in other cities on the East Coast, you’ll find inspiration in my guide to the best things to do in New York, and if you’re heading further north, my guide to where to stay in Boston will help you choose an area there.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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