Many neighborhoods in DC are spread out, so it is better to book a hotel in the general downtown area specifically near a metro stop, such as The Westin, than to insist on staying right by the Mall, which is home to Washington’s iconic monuments.

If you are traveling with your family and will need more than two beds, make sure to specify with the hotel ahead of time. Hotel rooms in Washington generally do not have space for roll-away beds for children. For large groups, it might be best to look at hotels with suites, like the Embassy Suites by Hilton at the Georgetown location.

Tours usually leave very early in the morning, so it might help to select a hotel that offers a buffet breakfast for a quick start to your day. The Capitol Hill Hotel offers a quality, free breakfast and is only a block away from the metro.

Interested in staying in a charming local neighborhood that is still close to downtown? Book a hotel near Dupont Circle, such as The Embassy Row Hotel. This area features DC’s famous colorful row houses, and it has a large selection of both chain and boutique hotels. It’s also within short walking distance of the White House and other famous monuments.

DC is not a particularly large city, and when it fills up for events, conventions, and festivals, such as the Cherry Blossom Festival or a protest march, it becomes harder to find a hotel, use the metro, or make a restaurant reservation, particularly downtown. However, if you book in advance, you shouldn’t have any problems.

FAQs when booking a Hotel in Washington

KAYAK users have found double rooms in Washington for as cheap as $18 in the last 3 days. The average price is $303.

In the last 72 hours, users have found Washington hotels for tonight for as low as $23. Users have also found 3-star hotels from $68 and 4-star hotels from $111.

Search here to find similar prices.

In the last 72 hours, users have found Washington hotels for this weekend for as low as $22 per night. Users have also found 3-star hotels from $66 and 4-star hotels from $89.

Search here to find similar prices.

Hotels in Brookland - Takoma - Petworth, Capitol Hill and The Mall - East End have the most searches on KAYAK. For more information about Washington's different neighborhoods, check out our Washington's City Guide.

Take a look at our extensive hotel Heatmaps to find the best hotels near you.

The Kimpton George Hotel, Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill and Grand Hyatt Washington are upscale, yet affordable, hotels located near Union Station. Each one has an on-site restaurant.

Parking prices are expensive in the District, so it is best to find a hotel that provides this service for free. Both the Capitol Hill Hotel and The Liaison offer free parking, and they are centrally located near Union Station. Most of the hotels near the Dulles International Airport, like Washington Dulles Airport Marriott and The Westin Washington Dulles Airport, also offer free parking.

The W Hotel is an upscale choice that has a rooftop bar providing panoramic views of the District. The Club Quarters Hotel is more affordable, but still keeps you centrally located.

If you’re bringing your furry friend along on your vacation, you have several hotel options. The Kimpton Carlyle Hotel is a luxury hotel that is pet-friendly and does not charge any additional fees. The Kimpton Rouge Hotel is conveniently located downtown and allows big dogs to stay in their rooms.