Looking for the best place to stay in Washington DC?
Follow the guide, we have tested, listed and detailed for you the best areas to sleep in Washington DC as well as the best accommodation in this American city that never sleeps.
⏰ Don’t have time to read everything?
Here are our 3 favourite accommodations listed by price category:
🚨 Note: Don’t delay booking as these hotels are among the most booked in Washington.
(€) The Architect. Cheap hotel in Washington close to tourist sites and 700m from the White House. Bright contemporary style rooms. Book here.
(€€) Hotel Lombardi. This 1920 boutique hotel is located on the famous Pennsylvania Avenue. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and attentive staff. Book here.
(€€)❤️ CitizenM Washington. A 4-star hotel in Washington’s favourite tourist district, this fabulous hotel offers a superb rooftop and an ideal location just a short walk from the metro station and museums. Book here.
🏨 F ind other accommodation at the best price 👈
Table des matières
The best area to stay in Washington DC: National Mall
Looking for the best area to stay in Washington DC? Located on the banks of the Potomac flower, National Mall is the best neighbourhood to stay in Washington if you want to visit as many monuments, museums and other tourist sites as possible.
The cultural and financial epicentre of Washington, this district is unlike traditional American cities, as here you won’t find skyscrapers, but rather green spaces and wide avenues.
The National Mall is the best place to stay in Washington if you want to see the city in a short space of time.
Top 5 things to do and see on the National Mall
- The White House
- Lincoln Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- Washington Monument
- The Capitol
Here are our favourite hotels to stay at in Washington
Note: Don’t delay as these hotels are among the most booked in Washington.
(€) The Architect. Cheap hotel in Washington close to tourist sites and 700m from the White House. Bright contemporary-style rooms. Book here.
(€€) Hotel Lombardi. This 1920 boutique hotel is located on the famous Pennsylvania Avenue. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and attentive staff. Book here.
(€€)❤️ CitizenM Washington. A 4-star hotel in Washington’s favourite tourist district, this fabulous hotel offers a superb rooftop and an ideal location just a short walk from the metro station and museums. Book here.
🏨 F ind other accommodation at the best price 👈
Chevy Chase, the neighbourhood to stay in Washington DC with your family?
This district is known as the little city within the city. This is due to its proximity to downtown Washington and its small-town atmosphere. It’s perfect for young families and couples looking to settle down. For those who enjoy the pleasures of the city, but want a quiet place to retreat to, it doesn’t get much better than Chevy Chase (not to be confused with the neighbouring town of the same name in Maryland).
There are tons of playgrounds and green spaces that make it the perfect place for families with kids. Unfortunately, dining and entertainment options can seem a little limited in the area. However, with downtown DC so close by and a few local favorites holding their own, residents rarely complain. One of the most appealing features of Chevy Chase is its proximity to Rock Creek Park. There’s never a shortage of adventure here.
5 things to do and see in Chevy Chase
- National Museum of Health and Medicine
- Rock Creek
- Capital Crescent Trail
- Audubon Naturalist Society
- Woodend Sanctuary & Mansion
Here are our favourite family-friendly hotels in Washington
Note: Don’t delay as these hotels are among the most booked in Washington.
(€) The Architect. Cheap hotel in Washington close to tourist sites and 700m from the White House. Bright contemporary-style rooms. Book here.
(€€) Hotel Lombardi. This 1920 boutique hotel is located on the famous Pennsylvania Avenue. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and attentive staff. Book here.
(€€)❤️ CitizenM Washington. A 4-star hotel in Washington’s favourite tourist district, this fabulous hotel offers a superb rooftop and an ideal location just a short walk from the metro station and museums. Book here.
Adams Morgan, the place to stay in Washington DC as a couple
Adams Morgan is full of history like most DC neighbourhoods. Residents and visitors alike will notice the beauty of the many 19th century row houses that grace the streets. This small neighborhood has many features to boast about. It includes a beautiful community garden, an annual Adams Morgan Day Festival, and tons of parks, including Walter Pierce Park.
Adams Morgan is a favorite neighborhood for couples. Muzette offers residents the chance to become an international singing sensation with its karaoke offerings and delicious cuisine. Those who enjoy a little wilder entertainment can head to Jack Rose Dining Saloon. Here they can discover their huge whisky selection.
5 things to see and do in Adams Morgan
- DC Arts Center (DCAC)
- Meridian International Center
- Comedy Club DC
- Kalorama Park
- National Gallery of Art
Here are our favourite hotels for couples in Washington
Note: Don’t delay as these hotels are among the most booked in Washington.
(€) The Architect. Cheap hotel in Washington close to tourist sites and 700m from the White House. Bright contemporary-style rooms. Book here.
(€€) Hotel Lombardi. This 1920 boutique hotel is located on the famous Pennsylvania Avenue. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and attentive staff. Book here.
(€€)❤️ CitizenM Washington. A 4-star hotel in Washington’s favourite tourist district, this fabulous hotel offers a superb rooftop and an ideal location just a short walk from the metro station and museums. Book here.
Dupont Circle, the best place to go out
Another area steeped in history, Dupont Circle is known for its post-Civil War buildings and the famous Dupont Circle. The roundabout, which is billed as the centre of this fun neighbourhood, is also home to a small green space where you can relax and play an exciting game of chess. The stone chess tables have been known to host some very entertaining games.
5 things to see and do in Dupont Circle
- The Phillips Collection
- Heurich House Museum
- Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle
- O Street Museum
- Larz Anderson House
Here are our favourite hotels in the best area to go out in Washington
Note: Don’t delay booking as these are some of the most booked hotels in Washington.
(€) The Architect. Cheap hotel in Washington close to tourist sites and 700m from the White House. Bright contemporary-style rooms. Book here.
(€€) Hotel Lombardi. This 1920 boutique hotel is located on the famous Pennsylvania Avenue. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and attentive staff. Book here.
(€€)❤️ CitizenM Washington. A 4-star hotel in Washington’s favourite tourist district, this fabulous hotel offers a superb rooftop and an ideal location just a short walk from the metro station and museums. Book here.
Georgetown, the tourist district to visit
Georgetown is, among other things, a shopper’s paradise. The shopping streets here are full of high-end designers and major retailers such as H&M and Anthropologie. You’ll also find plenty of small businesses offering distinctive designs and products on your shopping trip to Georgetown.
If you’re looking for a little more peace and quiet, head to Georgetown Waterfront Park. Have a picnic, look at the water, watch the birds or go for a run. There’s loads to do. You can even get lost in a maze if you want a taste of the old pastimes. Just watch out for children crossing the path. Kids love mazes too!
5 things to see and do in Georgetown
- Dumbarton Oaks Museum
- Waterfront Park
- Dumbarton House
- Montrose Park
- Washington Printmakers Gallery
Here are our favourite hotels in the best tourist area in Washington
Note: Don’t delay as these hotels are among the most booked in Washington.
(€) The Architect. Cheap hotel in Washington close to tourist sites and 700m from the White House. Bright contemporary-style rooms. Book here.
(€€) Hotel Lombardi. This 1920 boutique hotel is located on the famous Pennsylvania Avenue. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and attentive staff. Book here.
(€€)❤️ CitizenM Washington. A 4-star hotel in Washington’s favourite tourist district, this fabulous hotel offers a superb rooftop and an ideal location just a short walk from the metro station and museums. Book here.
Capitol Hill, cheap accommodation in Washington, DC
Ever wanted to taste the rare air of American government in action, but don’t feel like running for public office? Then Capitol Hill is the place for you! This district lives up to its name and is home to a number of important buildings. These include the Supreme Court and the Capitol on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Not forgetting that it wouldn’t be out of place to see your local MP or representative out shopping. Capitol Hill is usually home to those who work in government. However, Capitol Hill’s attractions are not limited to government buildings. If you’re thinking of staying in Capitol Hill, you’ll have access to a solid selection of entertainment including numerous restaurants, vintage storefronts and low-cost shopping.
You can get to any of these shops on foot or via the easily accessible Union Station. If you get the chance, be sure to stop off at Eastern Market. You’ll find tons of food, art and other products. They’ll certainly weigh you down on the way home!
5 things to see and do on Capitol Hill
- Volunteer Park
- Seattle Asian Art Museum
- Jimi Hendrix statue
- Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
- Streissguth Gardens
Here are our favourite cheap hotels in Washington
Note: Don’t delay as these hotels are among the most booked in Washington.
(€) The Architect. Cheap hotel in Washington close to tourist sites and 700m from the White House. Bright contemporary-style rooms. Book here.
(€€) Hotel Lombardi. This 1920 boutique hotel is located on the famous Pennsylvania Avenue. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and attentive staff. Book here.
(€€)❤️ CitizenM Washington. A 4-star hotel in Washington’s favourite tourist district, this fabulous hotel offers a superb rooftop and an ideal location just a short walk from the metro station and museums. Book here.
Foggy Bottom, the best area to stay for the first time in Washington, DC
Yes, Foggy Bottom has a strange name. And, yes, there’s an ominous omnipresent fog that’s behind the name. However, this is a bright and vibrant DC neighbourhood with a culture all its own. Not to mention that it’s a central neighbourhood with access to many points of interest.
Artists are easy to spot in this neighbourhood. This is where you’ll find the JFK Center for Performing Arts. It has become Washington’s premier arts venue and puts on incredible shows throughout the year. You can visit Foggy Bottom by taking the orange line of the metro.
The pretty row houses date back to the 1800s and are inhabited by a multitude of people, from artists to restaurateurs. It’s no surprise, as the neighbourhood is home to a five-star restaurant and whiskey bar in the bowels of the Watergate building – yes, that Watergate.
5 things to do and see in Foggy Bottom
- Tatte Bakery
- Blue Duck Tavern
- Rasika
- District Commons
- Bluestone Lane
Here are our favourite hotels to stay at in Washington for a first visit
Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most booked hotels in Washington.
(€) The Architect. Cheap hotel in Washington close to tourist sites and 700m from the White House. Bright contemporary-style rooms. Book here.
(€€) Hotel Lombardi. This 1920 boutique hotel is located on the famous Pennsylvania Avenue. Very spacious rooms, decorated with care and attentive staff. Book here.
(€€)❤️ CitizenM Washington. A 4-star hotel in Washington’s favourite tourist district, this fabulous hotel offers a superb rooftop and an ideal location just a short walk from the metro station and museums. Book here.
Penn Quarter – Chinatown, Washington DC’s entertainment centre
Penn Quarter and Chinatown are actually two distinct neighbourhoods in Washington DC. Their boundaries are unclear and overlap. As a result, people use their names interchangeably. This area could be defined as the entertainment centre of Washington. The area has undergone significant changes over the past few decades.
It is also important to note that the name “Chinatown” refers to the area of DC that was once home to many Chinese and Chinese-American immigrants. That number has dwindled to almost nothing. The name is no longer accurate. That said, the large and stunning Arch of Friendship was built thanks to a collaboration between Washington DC and Beijing. It dominates the district and is a truly beautiful monument.
5 things to see and do in Penn Quarter – Chinatown
- National Portrait Gallery
- Smithsonian Museum of American Art
- La Colombe Coffee Roasters
- Warner Theatre
- Café de la cour
Columbia Heights, the cheapest place to stay in Washington DC?
Columbia Heights is a popular neighbourhood for local artists and those who appreciate the area’s diversity. The large Latino population has brought the vibrancy of Latino culture to Columbia Heights. The GALA Hispanic Theater is one of DC’s leading arts venues. In addition, the Mexican Cultural Institute offers cultural and educational programmes open to the public.
If you love the outdoors, Meridian Hill Park offers views of beautiful fountains, statues of Joan of Arc and Dante, informational exhibits and fascinating drum circles on Sundays.
It’s also wheelchair accessible and a firm favourite with the locals. You can head here to finish your meal after visiting the plethora of bars and restaurants on NW 11th Street.
If you plan to walk or cycle in the area, be aware that it is notoriously hilly. For those who prefer a less strenuous commute, the metro’s yellow and green lines can get you around.
5 things to see and do in Columbia Heights
- Meridian Hill Park
- Mexican Cultural Institute
- James Buchanan Statute
- United States Capitol
- Columbia Heights Dog Park