Washington DC — Traveler Guide
History comes alive in these extraordinary properties. Each hotel occupies a building with genuine heritage significance — whether a former palace, a converted monastery, an art-deco landmark, or a centuries-old townhouse — sensitively restored with contemporary comforts.
Quick Answer
History comes alive in these extraordinary properties. Each hotel occupies a building with genuine heritage significance — whether a former palace, a converted monastery, an art-deco landmark, or a centuries-old townhouse — sensitively restored with contemporary comforts.
6 hotels reviewed · Price range: $$$, $$$$, $$ · Last updated March 2026
About This Guide
Washington DC offers exceptional options for travellers seeking historic hotels, and we've curated the very best. Each property has been selected for its outstanding facilities, prime location, and the quality of experience it delivers. Leading our list, Riggs Washington DC excels with its exceptional attention to detail and commitment to the historic experience. The Jefferson Washington DC offers a compelling alternative with its unique approach and distinctive character. Whether you're a first-time visitor to Washington DC or returning for another stay, these hotels represent the gold standard for historic accommodation in the city. Each has been independently evaluated for quality, location, and value.
Insider Tips
Book directly with the hotel for the best rate guarantee and potential upgrades.
Read recent guest reviews for the most up-to-date assessment of facilities.
Consider visiting during shoulder season for better rates and fewer crowds.
Ask the concierge for local recommendations — they know Washington DC better than any guidebook.
Our Picks
6 hotels · Updated February 2026
Penn Quarter
A stunning adaptive reuse of the 1891 Riggs National Bank building — a Washington institution that handled the payroll for the Civil War — with the original banking hall now housing Silver Lyan, a spectacular cocktail bar with a cerulean mosaic ceiling. The 181 rooms combine the grandeur of the gilded banking era with contemporary Italian design.
Downtown / Penn Quarter
The most quietly excellent luxury hotel in the American capital, where Thomas Jefferson's influence permeates every detail — from original documents in the reading room to Quill restaurant's colonial-inspired tasting menus. The 99 rooms are among DC's largest and most elegantly furnished, with an attentiveness that White House neighbors would expect.
Downtown / Penn Quarter
Two blocks from the White House and serving the republic since 1818, The Willard is where Abraham Lincoln stayed before his inauguration and where the word 'lobbyist' is said to have originated in its lobby. The Beaux-Arts grandeur of the Round Robin Bar and the soaring atrium have made it the unofficial parlor room of American democracy.
Capitol Hill
Washington's first true boutique hotel (opened 1998), positioned one block from Union Station and the Senate, with a political-playfulness theme — rooms named after Federalist Papers and a library stocked with policy journals. The location is ideal for Capitol Hill meetings and Amtrak arrivals, and rates are reasonable by DC standards.
Lafayette Square
The closest hotel to the White House with an unobstructed North Lawn view from the Off the Record bar — Washington's most storied political watering hole. Open since 1928 in a Florentine Renaissance building where Henry Adams once hosted the city's intellectual elite, the Hay-Adams remains DC's most atmospheric power address.
Foggy Bottom
Completely reimagined in 2016 and leaning into its extraordinary notoriety with impeccable design and genuine wit — the rooftop bar is called 'Top of the Gate,' the minibar is labeled 'The Burglary Kit,' and the Kingbird restaurant does justice to the setting. The curved brutalist architecture over the Potomac is genuinely iconic.
Keep Exploring
Common Questions
Yes — the best historic hotels preserve architectural character while offering thoroughly modern amenities including high-speed WiFi, premium bedding, and contemporary bathrooms.
Room sizes vary. Some heritage properties have grand suites, while others feature cozier rooms with unique architectural details. Room dimensions are usually listed in the booking description.
More Destinations
Prices and availability change daily. Lock in the best rate by booking early — most of our top picks offer free cancellation.
View All Washington DC Hotels