The Top 10 Hotels in Washington, D.C. in 2018
By Rebecca Ascher-Walsh July 10, 2018
Exterior of The Jefferson hotel
Credit: Courtesy of The Jefferson
As volatile as the political climate can seem these days, the seat of our government is rooted in history and tradition, a fact that is mirrored by our readers’ consistent choices in where to stay. When it comes to the top hotels in Washington, D.C., renowned luxury brands like the Four Seasons, St. Regis, Mandarin Oriental, and Ritz-Carlton perennially make the World’s Best list, as do boutique, independent properties that have been welcoming political power brokers for decades.
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.
Related: The 2018 World's Best Awards
Set in the heart of tony Georgetown, the Four Seasons has spacious, contemporary guest rooms, as well as an impressive, mainly American art collection: 1,650 pieces grace the walls, some of which were commissioned for the hotel. The nearby Melrose Georgetown Hotel draws visitors for its cozy vibe and farm-to-table cuisine. “The staff was ever present and always ready to assist,” said one reader. “The location was excellent. I’d stay there again in a second.”
But with a few exceptions, the favored places to stay in Washington, D.C., adhere to tried and true. The Hay-Adams, which opened in 1928, has counted Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart among its visitors, and D.C.’s power players continue to assemble in its Lafayette restaurant. One reader suggests this “historic hotel for romantic weekends,” while another adds, “A must do, at least once. It lived up to its reputation, and it’s worth the splurge to stay in a room with a direct view of the White House.”
And at the 200-year-old Willard InterContinental, located in a Beaux-Arts building two blocks from the White House, “you can’t get more historic,” wrote one reader. “The location is outstanding; service is also excellent.” That opinion is seconded by another, who praises the lively bar scene: “Service is great, and the rooms are beautiful.”
This year’s No. 1 pick is another landmark, housed in a building that dates from 1923. Read on for the full list of winners and see how they scored.
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.
Related: The 2018 World's Best Awards
Set in the heart of tony Georgetown, the Four Seasons has spacious, contemporary guest rooms, as well as an impressive, mainly American art collection: 1,650 pieces grace the walls, some of which were commissioned for the hotel. The nearby Melrose Georgetown Hotel draws visitors for its cozy vibe and farm-to-table cuisine. “The staff was ever present and always ready to assist,” said one reader. “The location was excellent. I’d stay there again in a second.”
But with a few exceptions, the favored places to stay in Washington, D.C., adhere to tried and true. The Hay-Adams, which opened in 1928, has counted Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart among its visitors, and D.C.’s power players continue to assemble in its Lafayette restaurant. One reader suggests this “historic hotel for romantic weekends,” while another adds, “A must do, at least once. It lived up to its reputation, and it’s worth the splurge to stay in a room with a direct view of the White House.”
And at the 200-year-old Willard InterContinental, located in a Beaux-Arts building two blocks from the White House, “you can’t get more historic,” wrote one reader. “The location is outstanding; service is also excellent.” That opinion is seconded by another, who praises the lively bar scene: “Service is great, and the rooms are beautiful.”
This year’s No. 1 pick is another landmark, housed in a building that dates from 1923. Read on for the full list of winners and see how they scored.
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10. St. Regis
Lobby at the St Regis in Washington DC
Credit: Courtesy of The St. Regis Washington, D.C.
Score: 84.75
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9. Willard InterContinental
Renovated rooms at the Willard InterContinental
Credit: Courtesy of Willard InterContinental
Score: 85.45
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8. Four Seasons Hotel
Pool at the Four Seasons hotel in washington dc
Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Score: 86.57
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7. Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown
Reception at the Fairmont Washington DC HOtel
Credit: Courtesy of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Score: 86.60
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6. Mandarin Oriental
Exterior of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Washington, DC
Credit: Courtesy of the Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.
Score: 87.00
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5. Melrose Georgetown Hotel
Room at the Melrose Georgetown Hotel
Credit: Courtesy of Melrose Georgetown Hotel
Score: 87.60
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4. Ritz-Carlton
Lounge at the Ritz Carlton Washington DC
Credit: Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C.
Score: 87.85
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3. Sofitel Washington D.C. Lafayette Square
Room at the Sofitel DC
Credit: Courtesy of Sofitel
Score: 88.21
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2. Hay-Adams
Room at the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington DC
Credit: Courtesy of The Hay-Adams
Score: 91.66
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1. The Jefferson
Book Room at The Jefferson Hotel
Credit: Courtesy of The Jefferson
Score: 93.25
Antiques abound in this boutique hotel, which wins the top spot for the second year in a row. Located in a 1923 Beaux-Arts landmark, the Jefferson’s 99 guest rooms are inspired by our third president’s travels in Paris and home in Charlottesville, Virginia. Splurge on the Thomas Jefferson Suite and gaze out at the White House and the Washington Monument. One reader writes simply of the experience: “Exquisite.”
See all of our readers' favorite hotels, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2018.