Best Luxury Hotels in District of Columbia

The Westin Washington, DC Downtown occupies a prime position in the Penn Quarter sitting directly opposite the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and within easy reach of Capitol Hill, the White House, and National Mall. The Westin brand’s flagship in the capital, with redesigned guestrooms with the largest footprints of any hotel in Downtown DC, and a 10,000 sq ft fitness centre that ranks as the city’s biggest.

Dine at Root and Vine their lobby-level restaurant drawing on the wellness philosophy at the heart of the Westin brand. The concept champions locally-sourced, seasonally-inspired ingredients, with a menu that rotates to reflect the best of what the region has to offer, from a generous breakfast spread to cocktails and light fare late into the evening. Alongside it sits The Market at Root and Vine for grab-and-go options, and a Starbucks.

The Washington Marriott at Metro Center sits at the very heart of downtown Washington, DC, adjacent to the city’s Metro Center Station. Following the completion of a multi-million dollar renovation, the property has been transformed with redesigned guestrooms and suites, a state-of-the-art fitness centre with Peloton equipment, and a refreshed indoor pool.

The showpiece of the transformation is Spotted Zebra: Kitchen, Cocktails & Contradictions, a street-level dining destination with a personality as bold as its name. The concept takes playful inspiration from the political lore of the capital, its name a tongue-in-cheek nod to an infamous gaffe by a former Senator, while the hotel also offers the M Club, an exclusive lounge open around the clock for Marriott Bonvoy Elite and Club-paying members, providing complimentary food and beverage throughout the day from hot breakfast to evening hors d’oeuvres and premium drinks.

The Marriott Marquis Washington D.C sits in the convention centre district. At the heart of the hotel rises the colossal Birth of the American Flag, a 56-foot stainless steel structure by artist Carroll, which weighs 27,000 pounds and soars through a football field sized glass atrium to the fifth floor, and it is the largest single artwork in any Marriott hotel worldwide.

Dining ranges from the Anthem a bright, welcoming all-day restaurant drawing on the legacy of Marriott’s original 1927 Hot Shoppes and The Dignitary, housed within the historic Samuel Gompers AFL-CIO Plumbers Building, while in the warmer months, guests spill onto The Dignitary’s outdoor patio at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and 9th Street. The historic Plumbers Building also houses the hotel’s 8,000 sq ft bi-level fitness centre and a selection of guest suites.

While many of DC’s luxe hotels are grand, large establishments, the Rosewood bucks the trend as an intimate boutique hotel with a high-end approach. Set beside the canal, it gives access to a leafier side of the city, although the eponymous monument can still be seen from the rooftop. And it’s here, at the top of the building, that the Rosewod’s pool (and a pool bar) is found. Guests can also dine with a view of the canal in the Grill Room and drink in the club-style Rye Bar. Rooms at the Rosewood are bang on-trend, yet supremely elegant, with espresso machines, Pratesi linens, touch-panel tech and monsoon showers.

Standing today as the Riggs Washington DC Hotel, the former headquarters of Riggs National Bank, known as the Bank of Presidents, offers luxurious and unique accommodation to travellers from around the world. The hotel is comprised of 181 carefully designed guestrooms and suites with elements reflecting the building’s history with the exquisite Riggs Suite being housed in the former boardroom complete with ornate ceilings and fireplace. There are also accessible rooms and spaces on site. Guests are invited to make the most of the all-day on-site dining at the splendid Café Riggs which puts a contemporary twist on the concept of a classic brasserie. In the building’s original bank vault you’ll find the Silver Lyan Bar, the first bar by Mr Lyan outside of Europe. Guests can take full advantage of the 24-hour Riggs Gym or opt for the complimentary guest bikes to explore the city and make the most of your stay.

The St. Regis Washington, D.C. is widely regarded as the finest address in the capital, a hotel of choice for royalty, presidents and prime ministers. Located just two blocks from the White House and within easy walking distance of the nation’s most celebrated museums, monuments and galleries.

Its 182 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, including a meticulously finished 2,500 square foot Presidential Suite, pair original Palladian windows and Italian Renaissance Louis XVI chandeliers with custom-designed contemporary furnishings. Guests staying in suites are afforded the signature St. Regis Butler Service, with complimentary pressing, unpacking and packing and beverage service, alongside 24-hour private dining and a dedicated concierge.

The hotel’s signature restaurant, Alhambra, celebrates fresh, locally sourced ingredients in a stunning space that honours the building’s historic character. The St. Regis Bar is the setting for signature cocktails and premier wines, while each evening at six o’clock, the gracious lobby becomes the stage for the hotel’s celebrated Champagne Sabering ritual, one of the brand’s most cherished traditions.

Located in the historic West End, between Georgetown, Dupont Circle and Foggy Bottom and within easy reach of the capital’s most celebrated cultural institutions is The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. The hotel’s interiors evoke the classic grandeur of the city and brings a sense of place by showcasing locally inspired art. Home to 300 guestrooms and suites, ranging from executive and one-bedroom suites to two Presidential Suites and the signature Ritz-Carlton Suite. Guests seeking additional privacy and personalised service should opt for Club Level Access, which includes a dedicated concierge and selected food and beverage offerings for members throughout the day and evening.

Dining takes place across two venues, the Quadtrant Bar and Lounge, celebrated for innovative cocktails and cuisine, along with acclaimed restaurant The Saga. Wellness services are provided through the adjacent 100,000 sq ft Equinox Sports Club, which features an indoor saltwater lap pool, boxing area, full-sized basketball court and a comprehensive Mind Body programme.

The iconic former Post Office of Washington DC has been beautifully restored and transformed into the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC that is seen today. Located on the bustling Pennsylvania Avenue, the hotel is conveniently located close to some of the city’s major attractions such as The White House, the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. The hotel is comprised of 263 elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites featuring the city’s largest offering – the two-bedroom, bi-level Waldorf Townhouse, a 6,300sqft retreat with every modern comfort and private entrance. The hotel’s culinary offerings boast Michelin-starred The Bazaar by José Andrés and the options of dining underneath an impressive atrium roof featuring sophisticated chandeliers and elegant design. There is also the indulgent, Michelin-starred Sushi Nakazawa and the option of 24-hour room service. The on-site spa provides a Himalayan Salt Therapy Room and a team of treatment specialists while there is also a fully equipped fitness room. The hotel is pet friendly.

The luxurious Conrad Washington DC Hotel is conveniently located in Downtown DC, mere blocks away from the Walter E. Washington Convention Centre. Some of the city’s main attractions are situated less than ten minutes from the hotel – The White House, the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian Museum. There is an exquisite selection of guestrooms and suites featuring the expansive, almost-2,500-sqft, two-bedroom Presidential Suite with a double-sided gas fireplace, baby grand piano and access to the exclusive Sakura Club. The Sakara Club offers complimentary breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails. On-site dining is available at Estuary Restaurant and Bar where a seasonal, Mid-Atlantic menu is served daily. Guests are also welcome to enjoy local dishes and beverages in the spectacular Summit Rooftop Bar. There is also a fully equipped fitness centre. The hotel is pet friendly.

Located on one of the most storied addresses in Washington D.C, standing on the former site of Shoomaker’s, the celebrated 19th century gathering place for politicians and statesmen and home to the celebrated Rickey cocktail first served in 1883. The hotel opened in 1984, and as the very first JW Marriott hotel (in the entire world) it was named by Bill Marriott in honour of his father, so the property holds a singular place in both the city and the brand’s legacy. Conveniently located in the downtown area, it offers a sophisticated retreat reflecting the brand’s signature commitment to refined design, holistic well-being, and meaningful connections.

The Southwest Waterfront has seen more than its fair share of regeneration over recent years and it’s here that the Mandarin Oriental is found. As is customary in the brand’s properties, you’ll find plenty of Asian influences, reflecting the hotel chain’s heritage. This extends to the spa menu, the dining offer, artwork and decorative touches. Tea can be taken in the Empress Lounge and the Muse restaurant serves American favourites like cheeseburgers, along with sushi and Hong Kong specialities. After a hard day’s sightseeing, you can chill out in the Zen relaxation room and swim some laps in the 50ft heated indoor pool.

Around the corner from The Hay-Adams is the very grown-up Sofitel. It utilises a moodier decor palette than many of its local competitors, with darker hues, black and white vintage French posters and velvet upholstery. The hotel has a restaurant – Opaline Bar & Brasserie with an outdoor seating area and a fitness centre. 237 guest rooms take on a fairly minimalist style, with theatrical colours (lots of black and red), modern artworks and conveniences like blackout curtains and king-sized beds.