Washington DC, USA | Recommended hotels

Best hotels in Washington DC, USA | Budget accommodation ($)

You’ll be extremely lucky to find an en-suite room for under $100, but www.bedandbreakfastdc.com is the best place to start the hunt. The site list deals from most of the city’s guesthouse options. For those who don’t mind a shared bathroom, however, William Lewis House (1309 R Street NW) combines period charm with a homely vibe. Wireless internet and breakfast are included for from $89 a night. DC Trekker (1422 Harvard Street NW)) is a more functional option – it’s a reasonable if unexciting hostel with private rooms.

Best hotels in Washington DC | Mid-range hotels ($$)

The American Guest House (2005 Columbia Road NW) has old house character by the truckload, cracking breakfasts thrown in, plus free tea, coffee and cookies to go with the WiFi. The rooms are done up beautifully – this is a steal at from $100 a night.

If that’s not the best bargain in town, then the Helix (1430 Rhode Island Avenue NW) is. It’s a lively, colourful joint where bold rooms featuring leopard-skin dressing gowns, flat screen TVs and rainbow couches can be had for under $150 a night.

Adams Inn (1746 Lanier Place NW) is another friendly, well-presented option that caters especially well for families.

Best hotels in Washington DC, USA | Luxury hotels ($$$ to $$$$$)

The Dupont Circle Hotel (1500 New Hampshire Avenue, $$$$) has a great location at the epicentre of the upmarket but lively Dupont Circle area, whilst the rooms are understatedly stylish and impeccably furnished.  The Palomar (2121 P Street NW, $$$) is an arty, hi-tech option with lovely touches such as the sunbed-esque chairs, a heated outdoor pool and $30 upgrades to the spacious executive rooms.

Young, energetic types will probably enjoy Topaz (1733 N Street NW, $$$) though. Topaz is a bombardment of colour, the staff are playful and the rooms combine all the requisite geek treats with furnishing pizzazz.

The Jefferson (1200 16th Street NW, $$$$$) has classically elegant rooms, an air of unstuffy refinement and modern additions such as TV screens within the bathroom mirror and iPod docks. If you’re wanting star power, however, you can go one of two ways. The Four Seasons (2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, $$$$$) specializes in discrete, understated luxury for the likes of Oprah Winfrey, while the W (515 15th Street NW, from $$$$) is be-seen central. Bright young things pace the lobby, zebra stripes and red leather give a look of sinful decadence and the rooms are set to dazzle rather than lull.

Washington DC hotel prices

Price brackets are based, roughly, on the starting rates that can be found in low season.

$ = under US$100 a night

$$ = under US$175 a night

$$$ = under US$275 a night

$$$$ = under US$400 a night

$$$$$ = over US$400 a night.

The Washington DC hotels above have been personally inspected – and recommended as being amongst the best in their price bracket – by travel journalist David Whitley. To look for other hotels in Washington DC, try a Washington DC hotel search with our booking partner, Ebookers.com.

Disclaimer: These hotels were inspected in October 2010. Things may have changed since then.