The Best Hotels in Washington, D.C. in 2016

By Stephanie Wu
July 06, 2016
Courtesy of Rosewood
The nation’s capital is, unsurprisingly, one of the most popular destinations in the U.S. From the historic monuments to the free museums to the explosion of cherry blossoms in the spring, there’s more than enough to keep visitors entertained, no matter how long they stay.

Given the number of travelers Washington, D.C., attracts, it’s no surprise that the area has some of the best hotels around. 

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 lines, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated hotels on their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and drink, and overall value. Properties were categorized as city or resort based on their locations, and Washington, D.C. includes the city and surrounding areas. 

Washington, D.C.’s hotels are known for their service and discretion, hosting not only tourists, but dignitaries and politicians from around the globe. The high standards have expanded beyond the boundaries of the city—so much so that two hotels in Virginia (the Lorien Hotel & Spa and the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner) cracked our list.

Location within the city is important to readers as well—the Rosewood, this year’s number one winner, is right in the heart of Georgetown, while the Hay-Adams, which came in at number two, is across the street from the city’s most famous address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

“I wish the walls could talk,” one respondent wrote. They’d surely have some fascinating tales to tell.
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No. 10: Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C.

Courtesy of Four Seasons

Score: 87.16

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No. 9: Willard InterContinental, Washington, D.C.

Courtesy of Willard InterContinental

Score: 87.18

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No. 8: Sofitel Washington D.C. Lafayette Square

Courtesy of Sofitel

Score: 87.23

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No. 7: The Donovan

Courtesy of Donovan House

Score: 87.30

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No. 6: St. Regis Washington, D.C.

Courtesy of St.Regis

Score: 88.34

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No. 5: The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, McLean, Virginia

Courtesy of the Ritz Carlton

Score: 89.04

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No. 4: Lorien Hotel & Spa, Alexandria, Virginia            

Courtesy of Lorien Hotel and Spa

Score: 90.67

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No. 3: The Jefferson, Washington, D.C.

Courtesy of The Jefferson

Score: 93.75

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No. 2: The Hay-Adams

Courtesy of the Hay-Adams

Score: 94.03

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No. 1: Rosewood (formerly the Capella)

Courtesy of Rosewood

Score: 94.04

The Rosewood in Georgetown took the top honors this year. “This little jewel on the C&O Canal offers a whimsical alternative to the establishment grande dame properties,” says one reader. Others loved the “flexible check-in and check-out times,” the “outstanding bath products,” and the “amazing rooftop bar and grill, which is for guests only.” Don’t miss the Grill Room, run by James Beard Award–winning chef Frank Ruta. Ruta cooked in the White House under the Reagan and Bush administrations—which means he knows a thing or two about exacting standards.

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By Stephanie Wu