The city of Washington DC is unavoidably one of America’s most influential and historic destinations, home to the President for more than two centuries and the location for such key monuments as the White House itself, memorials to previous Presidents such as the Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian Gallery and the Library of Congress. On your trip to Washington you can witness and pay tribute to the best, and the worst, of America’s history as well as the people responsible for making and chronicling it. You should also experience festivals in Washington to complete your trip. You can also stay in some of the most opulent, and in some cases historic, hotels that this city has to offer. Scroll down for a list of historic hotels in Washington, DC.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) properties with historic significance, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on December 20, 2024.
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1. The Hay-Adams (from USD 462)
Enjoy a stunning view of the White House from this upscale, historic hotel located in downtown Washington. You’ll be near top city attractions such as the National Mall, the Capitol Building, and the Washington Monument.
This boutique hotel started functioning in 1928 and bears the names of notable American citizens Henry Adams and John Hay. It has hosted renowned guests such as Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, Henry James, and many more.
During your stay, savour delicious contemporary American cuisine at the gourmet restaurant on site and enjoy exquisite wines at the in-house bar. A fitness centre is also available at the hotel, so you don’t have to worry about your calories.
The Hay - Adams
Address: 800 16th Street Northwest
1.06 km (0.7 mi) from Ford's Theatre
2. The Jefferson, Washington DC (from USD 492)
This luxurious boutique hotel downtown was constructed in 1923 as a high-end apartment building. Designed by Jules Henri de Sibour, the building showcases the Beaux-Arts style of architecture. The apartments were renovated and turned into a hotel in 1955.
The hotel has three restaurants and a bar to satisfy all your culinary needs. You can stay fit during your stay by working out in the gym. Book lovers can enjoy the hotel’s library.
Every room is uniquely decorated. You’ll have free Wi-Fi and an HDTV with premium channels for entertainment.
The Jefferson, Washington, DC
Address: 1200 16th St NW
1.42 km (0.9 mi) from Ford's Theatre
3. Riggs Washington DC (from USD 277)
Riggs Washington DC is located in the historic former Riggs National Bank building. It features an on-site restaurant that serves all-American cuisine and a cocktail mixology bar where you can hang out and grab some drinks. Each room of this hotel is complete with air-conditioning and heating systems, as well as a flat-screen TV with access to the internet.
Apart from lodging, the hotel also has a well-equipped fitness center and a wellness center where you can get relaxing massages. Plus, the property allows pets for a minimal fee and provides pet bowls and baskets for your furry pals.
Riggs Washington DC
Address: 900 F Street Northwest
127 meters (417.5 ft) from Ford's Theatre
4. Sofitel Lafayette Square Washington DC (from USD 240)
Fantastic breakfast, good food at the on-site restaurant, and plenty of great dining options nearby.
A little bit expensive, but worth it for the central location and spacious, comfortable rooms.
Perfect location near the White House and other major attractions, with easy access to transportation.
Great on-site dining options, spacious rooms, and friendly, professional staff.
Located on Lafayette Square, this famous hotel in DC is just a few short minutes’ walk from the White House itself, with the Smithsonian and countless other landmarks such as the Martin Luther King Memorial all within easy reach also.
This is a hotel that gets you right to the heart of what is special about Washington DC, and additionally, a place where you will be looked after - ensuite rooms with flat screen TV, excellent brasserie-style dining options, and complimentary coffee on arrival are just part of the experience.
Sofitel Lafayette Square Washington DC This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
Address: 806 15th Street North West
825 meters (0.6 ft) from Ford's Theatre
Washington Tour Guide
Annie Leguennec
My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the ci... Read more
Tours by Annie
Washington Tour Guide
Stephanie Eley
I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of... Read more
Tours by Stephanie
5. Phoenix Park Hotel (from USD 156)
Options for dining include the lively Irish pub, nearby food court at Union Station, and a complimentary 24/7 coffee and hot chocolate station.
Reasonable pricing for a prime location near Union Station and Capitol Hill.
Conveniently situated near Union Station, Capitol Hill, and public transportation for easy access to attractions.
24/7 coffee lounge, spacious and comfortable rooms, complimentary laundry facilities, and an attached Irish pub with live music.
You never have to look far for an Irish influence when in America, and the capital is no different. One of the city’s most enduringly popular hotels, the Phoenix Park is a homey stop that will appeal to a wide range of visitors. Excellent views, short walks to key locations such as the Capitol building and National Building Museum, and delightful Irish-American cuisine and drinking options in the on-site Dubliner restaurant are just part of what makes this hotel special. It’s the kind of hotel which, once you’ve stayed there, will become your go to whenever you’re in the city.
Phoenix Park Hotel This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
Address: 520 North Capitol Street NW
1.42 km (0.9 mi) from Ford's Theatre
6. Henley Park Hotel (from USD 126)
For people looking for something a little different from the chain hotel experience, the Henley Park is a location that offers a boutique hotel feel at a price you can afford. The rooms are not as large as those you might find elsewhere, but they are still spacious, beautifully appointed and comfortable. Among the key positives for people staying in the Henley Park Hotel, perhaps the most important is the way that you will be treated by every member of staff from the top down - this is a location that provides a welcome you won’t find anywhere else.
Henley Park Hotel
Address: 926 Massachusetts Avenue
732 meters (0.5 ft) from Ford's Theatre
7. Omni Shoreham Hotel (from USD 176)
Good dining options, but breakfast and parking come at an additional cost
Competitive pricing for a luxurious experience, but additional charges for Wi-Fi and parking
Convenient location near the Metro, restaurants, and attractions like the National Zoo
Spacious hotel with a pool, cafe, and beautiful garden area
The Omni is undoubtedly a little further away from some of Washington’s attractions than some other hotels in the city, but it does offer plenty of historical glamour itself with a frontage and a decor that pays tribute to the early 1930s when it was built. This historical feel does not just come from the age of the hotel, but from the experience that comes from hosting Presidents and other world leaders. The Omni has even been home to the occasional Inaugural Ball. Today, you’ll find yourself at home in its lush grounds, and are unlikely to be able to resist a dip in the spectacular pool.
Omni Shoreham Hotel This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
Address: 2500 Calvert Street NW
3.88 km (2.5 mi) from Ford's Theatre
8. Willard InterContinental Washington (from USD 419)
Few hotels in Washington come with as much history attached as the Willard, which is itself not far from the White House, a Pennsylvania Avenue neighbor of the hotel. As a location with great proximity to the centers of power, the Willard has been a home away from home for countless diplomats, a place where presidents have stayed and attended events, and indeed where films have been shot. In 2012, then-Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd resigned in this very hotel. As a guest, you’ll appreciate the special touches which have made it so indispensable to these important people, from excellent personal service to fabulous amenities like a 24-hour spa and private limo service.
Willard InterContinental Washington, an IHG Hotel This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
Address: 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
631 meters (0.4 ft) from Ford's Theatre
9. Morrison Clark Inn (from USD 134)
Good quality breakfast and dinner available, excellent service, complimentary coffee in the lobby.
Affordable rates for a central location, valet parking available.
Centrally located, within walking distance to White House and convention center, near metro and restaurants.
Clean, spacious rooms with boutique feel, helpful staff, historic inn built in 1864.
A truly historic building, the Morrison Clark is built within a period-faithful 19th-Century Victorian mansion. All of the 114 rooms on site feature decorative period touches, including splendid Italian-style fireplaces and individual balconies. This is a hotel that is particularly favored by those who appreciate personal touches - the management make a personal effort to get to know residents so as to make sure your experience is as perfect as it can be. The popularity of the Morrison Clark suggests that they do this successfully - and with the White House a leisurely 20-minute walk away, you’re close to everything that makes Washington special.
Morrison Clark Inn Washington DC Convention Center
Address: 1011 L Steet NW
853 meters (0.6 ft) from Ford's Theatre
10. Capital Hilton (from USD 169)
This hotel, located just five minutes’ walk away from the White House and 20 minutes from the Smithsonian, is one of Washington’s most reliable locations. With the famous Hilton name an obvious attraction for visitors, this is a hotel that goes a very long way to live up to expectations with an outstanding breakfast menu and a spectacular level of service. A note of advice from previous residents is to call the hotel ahead of time if you have any specific needs; staff will go out of their way to ensure those needs are met.
Capital Hilton
Address: 1001 16th Street Northwest
1.18 km (0.8 mi) from Ford's Theatre
11. Hotel Lombardy (from USD 126)
Fabulous dining options, a nice bar, and many nearby eating establishments to explore.
Reasonable pricing for a historic hotel in central Washington DC.
Excellent location within walking distance of the National Mall and close to many restaurants and cafes.
Spacious rooms, helpful staff, historic ambiance, and a charming old-fashioned design.
Guests at this hotel regularly remark on its value and convenience, and the location is absolutely perfect for people who want to experience some of the history of Washington DC. The White House is a short distance away on the same street, while you’ll also be right on the doorstep of George Washington University. The hotel itself is a wonderful experience, with a 1920s style of architecture and decor. There’s a hint of modernity, of course - the on-site fitness centre has machines with their own personal TVs - but you’ll most enjoy the excellent, bistro-style dining options which give this hotel a touch of opulence.
Hotel Lombardy
Address: 2019 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
1.84 km (1.2 mi) from Ford's Theatre
12. District Hotel (from USD 91)
If you are looking for a luxury hotel in the most powerful city in the world, let’s be clear: the District Hotel is not it. It is affordable and, having been built in 1913, it is wrapped in the history of this city. It’s also splendidly well-located, with the Capitol building, the United States National Arboretum and Howard University all within close reach. There is also a commitment to making your stay as perfect as can be, with all staff dedicated to facilitating your every need while in Washington.
District Hotel
Address: 1440 Rhode Island Ave, NW
1.45 km (0.9 mi) from Ford's Theatre
13. W Washington DC (from USD 181)
While this modern boutique hotel may not be classically historic in and of itself, it’s close to and influenced by everything that is historic about Washington DC. The Washington Monument is visible from the hotel, while the White House is just around the corner and, thanks to the rooftop bar, you will have an excellent view of the city and all of its key locations. As a place to stay in comfort and style while in the world’s most influential city, you can’t go wrong with W Washington DC. The on-site Italian restaurant, Pinea, comes particularly highly recommended.
Hotel Washington
Address: 515 15th Street, NW
676 meters (0.5 ft) from Ford's Theatre
In hotels old and new, you can appreciate the history of Washington DC
Washington DC is one of those cities where you can truly feel the history wherever you go, and where history is being made every day. With so much to see and do such as food tours in Washington, you’ll want a hotel that does justice to this remarkable city and, should you pick any of the above, that is exactly what you will get when you travel to the capital of the USA.
Frequently asked questions about historic hotels in Washington, DC
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