Best Places to stay in Washington DC in 2023

My current favorite hotel is Pendry The Wharf – Washington DC . This is the perfect to check and lounge by the swanky pool terrace overlooking the Potomac. Or have a cocktail at the Japanese tapas on the rooftop bar, Moonraker, where you have a bird’s eye view of the helicopters going by. The Pendry Spa and modern gym with complimentary massage guns will leave you rejuvenated. The new restaurant Flora Flora has a fun all-day menu of Mexican and Peruvian dishes, and the chef is from Guadalajara. The hotel will set up kayak and e-bike rentals to take advantage of the wonderful location.Pendry’s concierge can set up tours of the city, along with reserve kayak and e-bike rentals to take advantage of the wonderful waterfront location. Visitors to Washington DC value that the Pendry is within walking distance of the US Capitol and National Mall, the historic DC Wharf Fish Market, and steps from the International Spy Museum. 

My favorite DC hotel is the Pendry The Wharf.

If you wanted to revel in pure elegance and feel like you’ve discovered America’s best secret, reserve a room at The Jefferson, which caters to the guests who want to keep a low profile (like celebrities and world leaders coming to Washington DC do). It has an old-school culture and has won best hotel in DC from Travel & Leisure countless times. The bar is designed like a library where literary guests have left signed copies of their bestsellers on the shelves. The main dining room is inside an observatory, and I think the Jefferson might have the best hotel chef in town. They have a luxury spa, and despite this level of sophistication, the hotel welcomes pets and has cute dog beds in the rooms. My favorite amenity is the in-house historian who designs a local walking tour for guests.

The thing about Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg is it’s not in Washington DC. But you’re only 1 hour from a wellness vacation in the heart of Virginia Wine Country. Plus it’s a quick drive downtown to enjoy all the Nation’s Capital has to offer. that the primary hotel guest is a local person looking for a wellness staycation. I would write about Mineral Spa with its sunken hydro-pool and holistic Chinese treatments, the beautiful grounds with walking paths to the river, the popular golf course and clubhouse, and the kids’ activities. The outdoor pool is a literal party where they shoot off fireworks, have barbeques, and live music. The chef grows herbs and veggies inside the hotel, which he uses for the restaurants.

The trendy The Line Hotel  in Adams Morgan was a 110-year-old historic bank in Adams Morgan. The founding was a community effort from various local chefs and broadcasters, and it has took the city by storm when it opened in 2018. It’s a favorite hangout for the locals, too, and the neighborhood gets a little noisy and rowdy on weekends. The rooms are decorated with eclectic touches, and configurations vary from a traditional king to a corner suite with views of the Washington Monument. Guests enjoy the three restaurants, two bars, a coffee shop, and watching the live DJ spin tunes from the lobby. The Line Hotel serves high-tea in the lobby. If you’re looking for a stylish, upbeat, quirky time in D.C., this is your place, but it’s not recommended for travelers with children. 

The AKA Hotel is located close to Lafayette Park and the White House

AKA White House   in Downtown DC   

1710 H St. NW, Washington, D.C.; 202-858-3760[HC1] ; stayaka.com/aka-white-house

If you’re like me, you’re usually traveling with family. We like to stay together and still have a place to chill out after a busy day. And we like to make our own breakfast. So, that’s why leading international luxury long-stay brand, AKA White House   in Downtown DC  is two blocks from The White House, and has 1 and 2 bedroom suites that are perfect for families. Near historic Lafayette Park, the hotel puts you within walking distance of many major attractions. The guest rooms, with both one and two bedrooms, as well as the penthouse suites, are the peak of sophistication and comfort, with full kitchens, dining areas, a dishwasher, a washer and dryer, and marble bathrooms. Many have balconies, where you can sit and watch the action. The Technogym is small but with state-of-the-art equipment. The property is three to four blocks from the McPherson Square, Farragut North, and Farragut West Metro stations.


Intercontinental Washington, D.C.–The Wharf     

801 Wharf St. SW, Washington, D.C.; 202-800-0844; ihg.com

If you’re a young-at-heart visitor looking for a D.C. neighborhood that is lively day and night, then staying at The Wharf is perfect for you. The Intercontinental Washington, D.C.–The Wharf has rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of the marina, East Potomac Park, and the Potomac River. Walk to the new live-music venue, The Anthem; make s’mores on the boardwalk fire pit; and tour the historic Maine Avenue Fish Market. The hotel has a sparkling fitness center and a rooftop pool. 

The Conrad his adjacent to shops and restaurants at City Center DC

The Conrad Washington DC  in City Center/Penn Quarter is steps from D.C.’s most upscale shopping and dining spots in CityCenterDC. Three blocks from Capital One Arena, Shakespeare Theatre, the National Portrait Gallery, and two Metro stops, you can’t beat the location if you want nightlife and culture. The rooms are equipped with espresso machines and Bluetooth speakers, and the design feels residential like a chic apartment. The Conrad is also known for offering a unique hotel refuge called the Sakura Club (named after Washington’s famous cherry blossoms), with expansive suites that include a gourmet buffet three times each day, evening libations, afternoon tea, and priority access to Conrad’s rooftop bar and Estuary, a restaurant owned by Top Chefs, the Voltaggio brothers, that showcases the flavors of nearby Chesapeake Bay. There’s no pool, but the fitness center features Precor equipment. The hotel caters to international business travelers, so it’s quieter on the weekends when the rates drop. 

The lobby at the Conrad Hotel in Washington DC

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Freelance writer and photographer specializing in vivid, deeply reported stories about food, travel and family.

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