The Best Hotels to Book near Washington Union Station

The life-sized horse lamp in the lobby sums up this four-star hotel. It’s luxurious and stylish, with just the right amount of quirk. Guest rooms are suitably plush, but awash with offbeat design details such as decorative pillows wearing a George Washington-esque blue coat, extracts of his original writings on the walls and rugs, and plenty of pictures of the man himself. The Kimpton George Hotel is conveniently located close to the city’s major attractions, and just one block from Union Station. You’ll want to make sure you’re back at the hotel for 5pm each day, though – there’s a complimentary wine hour in the lobby.

You know your hotel’s in a good spot when you can step outside and see the Capitol Building at the end of the street. And that’s exactly what you get at the Hyatt Regency Washington, which is also just three blocks from Union Station. In the hotel itself there are spacious guest rooms, a gym and swimming pool, and an all-American grill called Article One. Don’t miss the ribeye, grilled to perfection and topped with a thick slab of beer-and-bourbon butter, with cloud-soft, garlic-whipped potatoes and asparagus on the side. And check if the salt-crusted prime rib is on as a special – if it is, you know what to do.

When it’s sunny outside, you might struggle to tear yourself away from YOTEL Washington DC’s rooftop pool and lounge Deck 11 (open from late May to September). And who could blame you, when you’re getting served watermelon frozé as you recline in a poolside cabana? Venture outside, though, and you’ll see you’re just a few blocks from sights such as the Capitol Building and the Smithsonian museums. Head back in time for dinner at the hotel’s Art and Soul restaurant, where modern American fare is made from ingredients sourced from the Chesapeake Bay watershed communities. The grilled swordfish is a must try.

You get a lot of bang for your buck at Motto: a great location in Chinatown; sleek, minimalist bedrooms; and four spots to eat and drink in. Start your day off with a mug of locally roasted Blanchard’s coffee at the Crimson Coffee Bar, hit up Crimson Diner for southern comfort food like jumbo chicken wings, and splash out on a sundowner on the Crimson View bar’s terrace. The hotel’s whiskey bar, with its brooding aesthetic, regular live music, and interesting array of whiskeys, is the perfect place to round off the day with a dram or two.

If you’re looking for a more luxurious stay, you’ll love this five-star bolthole in the city centre. Its muted colour scheme, marble bathroom tiles and simple modern furnishings give it a look of pared-back elegance. It’s not style over substance, though. Every aspect of a stay here has been considered, resulting in useful additions like a concierge app, and free fruit and headphones in the gym. Then there’s its incredible location, a 15-minute walk from the White House.

When former clients have included Presidents Lincoln, Eisenhower and Grant, you know you’re staying at the right place. That was, to be honest, back when Riggs Washington DC was a bank that some 23 former presidents trusted to keep their cash safe, rather than the swanky four-star hotel it is today. Still, a stay here is worth its weight in gold for its handy location near the White House and Union Station (less than a 30-minute walk), the excessively lavish, caviar grilled cheese at European brasserie Cafe Riggs, and the grown-up jello shots at experimental cocktail bar Silver Lyan, hidden away in the former bank vault.

It’s not every day you get gifted a healing crystal upon checking into your hotel, but this starting token tells you everything you need to know about hip hotel Eaton DC. Standing tall on K Street (a street known for lobbying), this progressive place is a meeting spot for social justice seekers, activists, and generally progressive individuals. Even if you’re not an activist yourself, you’ll likely be converted by a stay here, thanks to the political art, carefully curated library, and regular author talks. This vibe mingles nicely with the New Age one, which continues throughout the hotel. It even extends to the minibar, which is stocked with kombucha, moringa shots and tarot cards (don’t eat them).