Hotels in Washington, D.C., DC

Best time to visit Washington, DC

Fall is a good time to visit Washington, DC. From September – November, the days are cooler, crowds are thinner, and the changing leaves create a beautiful picture against the marble monuments. Another great time to visit is in spring, from March – May when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom all over the city. Summer is hot and humid but it is also the tourist high season due to schools being closed. Average temperatures are around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are freezing cold and temperatures hover around 20 – 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember to bring your hats, gloves, coats, and thermal clothing. The National Christmas Tree Lighting does attract a large number of tourists, however, hotel prices are affordable during this time of the year.

Getting around Washington, DC

Many of the memorials and monuments are concentrated in a compact area, so walking around the city is one way to cover some of the must-see and must-do items in your DC itinerary. To cover longer distances, you can use the WMATA-operated Metro trains and buses which have a fairly dense and efficient network. The Metrobus fare for regular routes is $2.00 USD and for express routes, it is $4.25 USD. Metrorail peak-hour fares range from $2.25 USD – $6.00 USD. Off-peak fares are capped at $3.85 USD. There are also plenty of metered taxis which can be flagged down at the curb or you will find them lined up outside most major hotels and attractions. Ride sharing options such as Uber and Lyft also operate in and around DC.

Best places to stay in Washington, DC

With a multitude of museums and memorials, the hot seat of the US government, Washington, DC has much to see and do. And guess what? Most of these sites can be enjoyed for free! Apart from that, exploring the city’s eclectic neighborhoods and experiencing its youthful vibe will make your DC visit truly interesting and well balanced.

Downtown

This is the most convenient area to visit museums, monuments and many other major DC attractions. Downtown is well-connected with the trains and buses to other parts of DC. For 5-star accommodation with a history of presidential patronage, there is no other place like The St. Regis Washington, D.C. in the heart of Downtown DC. For a more modest budget, you have The Henley Park Hotel or the Kimpton Donovan Hotel. You may also want to look at The Capital Hilton, for a contemporary stay within a 10-minute walk from The White House. For direct views of the presidential home, check out The Hay Adams hotel at Lafayette Square.

Dupont Circle

Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut avenues, that radiate from the Dupont Circle, have plenty of luxury and budget stay options as well as a multitude of boutiques, bars, and restaurants. Stay in stylish boutique accommodation at The Dupont Circle Hotel or enjoy the modern ambience and excellent location of the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Washington DC. For a luxurious stay, you can check out the historic The Jefferson Hotel or the Park Hyatt Washington DC hotel.

Georgetown & Foggy Bottom

A swanky neighborhood with cobblestone streets and red brick colonial architecture, Georgetown has plenty of big brand shopping and gourmet food options along its main corridor, the M Street. Further down, at Foggy Bottom, due to the resident student population of George Washington University in the vicinity, the area has several hip food and drink options catering to youngsters. Enjoy the ultimate luxury at The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington D.C. hotel or the Four Season Hotel Washington D.C. on Pennsylvania Avenue. For more mid-range budget options, check out The Avery, Georgetown or The Watergate Hotel, a riverfront property at Foggy Bottom.

Capitol Hill

Home to the most powerful government edifices such as the U.S. Capitol, and U.S. Supreme Court, Capitol Hill is an impressive neighborhood. There are a handful of accommodation options very close to the Hill and within easy reach of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. Stay at the stylish Kimpton, The George Hotel near Union station and within walking distance of the Capitol building or enjoy the largest roof-top pool in DC at the Liaison Hotel. You can also check a mid-range budget property such as The Capitol Hill Hotel or stay in upscale spacious rooms of the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

Cheap hotels in Washington DC

The Pod DC on H Street or the Comfort Inn Downtown DC/ Convention Centre are both good options to stay in the DC Downtown area at budget prices. The Swann House Historic Dupont Circle Inn in Dupont Circle offers 4-star amenities at very reasonable rates. In Foggy Bottom, a 5-minute walk from the university, you have the University Inn, Washington DC hotel. Or in Georgetown, you can look at the Georgetown Inn for modern amenities and a comfortable stay. For more reasonably priced lodging, dining and shopping, you can make your base in areas such as Arlington or Alexandria which are connected by local bus and train services.

The urban expanse of DC is balanced with the substantial amount of green spaces of the protected parklands. Hiking, biking, sailing, kayaking, and ice skating are popular recreational activities, as is picnicking in the parks. There is also plenty to explore in terms of food, drink, and indoor entertainment in the capital of the USA.

• On the National Mall, visit some of the Smithsonian museums such as the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Natural History Museum and Smithsonian Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, all of which give you free admission. Also check out the National Gallery of Art.
• Bike or walk through some of the national memorials such as DC War Memorial, Korean War Veterans’ Memorial, Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial, amongst many others. Most memorials are beautifully illuminated at night and many of them are open for 24 hours.
• Tour the 3 iconic government buildings: The White House, The Capitol and The Supreme Court.
• Take in the view of the city from the top of the Washington Monument during the day and also at night.
• Try and squeeze in the International Spy Museum into your DC itinerary. This one has an entry fee and takes you on a journey into the world of subterfuge and spycraft.
• Head to Embassy Row, where you can walk past elegant and imposing mansions that house more than 40 different embassies.
• Watch a show or concert at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on the Potomac River. You are sure to linger and marvel at the majestic grand foyer with 16 hand-blown Orrefors crystal chandeliers and the plush red carpet.
• Stroll through Georgetown and stop by at the Georgetown Bakery, home of the TV show D.C. Cupcakes. Sip some whiskey at the Ri Ra Bar or have a warm cheery coffee at Baked & Wired.
• On H Street, don’t miss the chance to taste DC’s meatier, smokier version of the hot dog at Ben’s Chili Bowl.