Washington D.C. is unlike any other American city. As the seat of federal power and a living monument to the country’s history, it carries a weight and grandeur that few capitals can match, yet it is also an accessible, walkable and genuinely surprising place to spend time. The Mall and its iconic landmarks from the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol, the Washington Monument anchors the city, but the best of D.C. extends well beyond them. Georgetown’s Federal-era architecture and independent restaurant scene, the cultural energy of the 14th Street corridor, the galleries and museums of Dupont Circle, and the dining and nightlife of Shaw and Navy Yard all add dimension to a city that rewards those who explore it properly. World-class museums, almost all of them free, sit alongside some of the East Coast’s finest restaurants, and the hotel scene has evolved significantly in recent years with a strong offering of luxury and boutique properties to match the city’s ambitions.
Luxury Marriott Properties
All Hotels Washington D.C.Washington D.C. holds a special place in Marriott’s story. Just across the Potomac in Arlington, Virginia, J. Willard Marriott opened the very first Marriott Hotel in 1957, making the greater D.C. area the true birthplace of the brand’s hotel legacy. Today, the capital continues to embody everything Marriott stands for and here are out favourite luxury Marriott properties in the capitol.
Dupont Circle, Washington D.C., District of Columbia
The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection
(4 stars)Restaurant Review
Love, Makoto – Restaurant Review
There is a Japanese phrase, “kokyou ni nisjiki wo kazaeru”, which roughly translates as “return home with glory”. It’s the phrase chef Makoto Okuwa had in his head when he came back to Washington D.C. to open Love, Makoto. On a recent trip to Washington, D.C to experience the city and review The Westin DC […]
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Useful Info
How to Get There
Washington D.C. is served by three major airports. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), across the Potomac in Virginia, is the closest and most convenient for central D.C., with a direct xqMetro link into the city. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), around 45 minutes west of the city, handles the majority of long-haul and transatlantic flights and is well connected by the Silver Line Metro as well as taxis and ride-share services. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is around an hour north and is used primarily by domestic low-cost carriers, though Amtrak and MARC train services provide a direct rail link into the city.
From the UK, direct non-stop flights to Dulles and Reagan are available from London Heathrow and London Gatwick with airlines including British Airways, United and Virgin Atlantic. Flight time is approximately eight to nine hours. Connections from other UK and European cities typically route via London, Dublin or a US hub.
Getting Around
Washington D.C. is one of the most walkable and transit-friendly cities in the United States. The Metro system is clean, efficient and covers all the key areas of the city and its inner suburbs, making it easy to get around without a car. Ride-share services are plentiful and relatively affordable for point-to-point journeys. A hire car is not necessary and is best avoided in the city itself, where parking is limited and traffic can be heavy. The city’s compact layout means that many of the major sights, hotels and neighbourhoods are within easy walking distance of one another, particularly around the Mall, Capitol Hill, Georgetown and Downtown.
When to Visit
Washington D.C. has four distinct seasons and can be visited comfortably at almost any time of year, though each season has its own character. Spring, particularly late March and April, is the most popular time to visit, coinciding with the famous National Cherry Blossom Festival, when the Tidal Basin is ringed with flowering cherry trees, a genuinely spectacular sight. Expect larger crowds and higher hotel rates during this period, and book well in advance.
Summer brings warmth and humidity, with temperatures frequently reaching the high 80s and occasionally above 90°F. The city is busy with visitors, but the long daylight hours and lively outdoor dining scene make it an enjoyable time to visit if you plan early mornings to cover the main sights. Autumn offers some of the best conditions: comfortable temperatures, lower humidity and beautiful foliage across Rock Creek Park and the wider city. Winter is quieter, often cold, and punctuated by the occasional snowfall. Hotel rates drop significantly, crowds thin, and the city takes on a more contemplative, local feel, well suited to museum-heavy itineraries and serious dining explorations.
Holiday Types
Washington D.C. suits a wide range of travellers. History and culture enthusiasts will find the city almost inexhaustibly rich, with the Smithsonian Institution’s network of free museums, including the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, forming one of the finest cultural offerings anywhere in the world. Architecture and urban design aficionados will find plenty to admire in the city’s neoclassical core and the striking contrast of its contemporary additions.
Food lovers are increasingly well served, with a dining scene that has grown considerably in ambition and quality, with a strong emphasis on Mid-Atlantic ingredients and a diverse range of international influences. Couples seeking a sophisticated city break will find a strong luxury hotel offering, excellent restaurants and a compact enough footprint to feel properly immersed in the city over a long weekend. Families with older children benefit enormously from the free museum culture, making D.C. one of the most cost-effective major city destinations in the world once accommodation is accounted for.
Passports and Entry
UK and EU citizens visiting Washington D.C. do not require a US visa for stays of up to 90 days but must have an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) in place before departure. Applications are made online and are typically approved within minutes, though it is advisable to apply well in advance of travel. A valid passport with at least six months’ validity is required. US citizens require no additional documentation beyond a valid ID.
Time Zone
Washington D.C. operates on Eastern Time (ET). It is GMT-5 in winter (Eastern Standard Time) and GMT-4 during summer (Eastern Daylight Time). For UK visitors, D.C. is five hours behind in winter and four hours behind during British Summer Time. It is on the same time zone as New York and one hour ahead of Chicago.
More From Washington D.C.
Love, Makoto – Restaurant Review
There is a Japanese phrase, "kokyou ni nisjiki wo kazaeru", which roughly translates as "return... 