The Best Hotels in Washington, D.C.

The best hotels in Washington, D.C., marry the city’s history with a modern sense of style.

Popular landmarks such as the Lincoln Memorial and the White House continue to draw domestic and international visitors to our nation’s capital, but the ever-growing restaurant scene and expanding waterfront are also good reasons for many travelers to visit. The District of Columbia is home to a number of hotels as iconic as its historic treasures, but there’s always room for more, as evidenced by the relatively new hotel that tops this year’s list of the best hotels in Washington, D.C., according to Travel + Leisure readers.

Each year, T+L asks readers for their opinions on the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines and more as part of our World’s Best Awards survey. Hotels (including safari lodges) were rated on amenities, location, service, food and overall value. Depending on location and amenities, properties were classified as city hotels, resorts or safari lodges.
The interior of Riggs Washington D.C.
Jennifer Hughes/ courtesy of Riggs Washington D.C.

While there are independent hotels throughout the District, half of this year’s list of the best hotels in Washington, D.C., are made up of travel industry heavyweights. Of the Ritz-Carlton (ranked No. 9), one reader wrote, “A great place for business and leisure travel. Customer service was excellent, and the food was really good.” One reader made a particularly keen observation about the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. (No. 7): “The lobby smells fantastic!”

Read on to learn why the Riggs was voted the best hotel in Washington, D.C., by T+L readers.

1. Riggs Washington D.C.

Riggs Washington D.C. opened its doors two years ago (it made T+L’s 2021 It List), with a bold, jewel-toned design inside the imposing 1891 structure of the former Riggs National Bank headquarters. Each of the 181 rooms has playful, bespoke elements created by design studio Voutsa. What some readers have enjoyed the most about the hotel is the food and drink program. The kitchen at Café Riggs turns out inventive takes on Continental dishes. Downstairs in the old bank vault is Silver Lyan, the first cocktail lounge outside of Europe for master bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana. “Riggs brings a beautiful aesthetic to the D.C. market, with top-notch food and beverage offerings in a design lover’s paradise,” commented one reader. Several others echoed that praise..

Score: 97.45

More information: riggsdc.com

2. The Jefferson, Washington D.C.

Score: 93.76

More information: jeffersondc.com

3. Rosewood Washington, D.C.

Score: 93.18

More information: rosewoodhotels.com

4. The Hay-Adams

honoree. Score: 92.39

More information: hayadams.com

5. Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C.

Score: 91.22

More information: washington.intercontinental.com

6. Hamilton Hotel Washington, D.C.

Score: 88.40

More information: hamiltonhoteldc.com

7. Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C.

Score: 87.93

More information: fourseasons.com

8. The St. Regis Washington, D.C.

Score: 87.76

More information: marriott.com

9. The Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C.

Score: 87.00

More information: ritzcarlton.com

10. Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.

Score: 86.94

More information: mandarinoriental.com