The Best Hotels to Book Near the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, Washington DC

A warning: you might not want to return to your own apartment after a stay at Sonder – Callisto. The rooms in this Aparthotel chain’s DC property are homey yet chic, decorated with interesting artworks and eclectic furniture. They’re also fully equipped with everything you could need, from cleaning products and toiletries to an oven and kitchenware. Sonder’s location in DC’s Navy Yard neighbourhood is equally great. It’s just a few minutes from the shops and independent restaurants of Barracks Row Main Street and the U.S. Navy Museum. To get to the Frederick Douglass historic site, take the 11th Street Bridge over the Anacostia River.

A great place to stay during baseball season, this no-frills hotel is just a few minute’s walk to Nationals Park, where the Washington Nationals play. Real fans should book a room with a view over the stadium or head to the Top of the Yard rooftop bar (open March-October) to enjoy the game in its full glory. Outside of these months, there’s plenty more to do. The Hampton Inn is right in the thick of Navy Yard’s thriving restaurant and bar scene, which includes DC’s first winery, District Winery.

Pitched as Hilton’s affordable lifestyle brand, you might expect Motto to be a little basic. But the three-star hotel, just a 10-minute metro ride to the station near the Frederick Douglass historic site, doesn’t skimp on amenities. It’s got no less than four dining and drinks options (a diner, a coffee bar, a rooftop terrace and a whiskey bar) and the whole place is beautifully designed in a modern millennial style, which combines industrial details, hanging plants and pops of colour. Not to mention the upscale Malin + Goetz products in the bathroom. It’s unclear whether Motto has an actual motto, but we reckon it would be something like ‘paying less doesn’t mean you get less.’ Not that we’ve thought about it or anything.

This boutique inn is housed inside what was once two 19th-century townhouses and a Chinese church. It has a decor to match, combining Victorian period details and modern Asian features, including a Chinese Chippendale porch and Chinese-style pendant lights. The unusual mix doesn’t quite reach the award-winning Morrison Clark Inn Restaurant, which focuses more on modern American cuisine with international touches. Bring your appetite for the Jumbo Lump Crab Fondue, made with gruyère cheese.

History buffs will love this three-star stay in downtown DC. A member of the Historic Hotels of America, its Tudor-style aesthetic has been well preserved from when it was built as an apartment block back in 1918. With its stained glass windows, Mercer-tiled floors and ornate facade, you can see why many senators, congressmen and other members of Washington’s high society once chose to reside there. Today, it acts as a charming place to stay when visiting the city’s historical attractions, including the National Mall and the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. You can easily reach the latter by riding the Metro’s Green Line for 12 minutes to the nearby Anacostia station.

Not exactly a looker from the outside, you might be wondering where this hotel gets its name. Rather than being part of a striking skyline, it looks out over one. You can enjoy views across the Capitol area from your window and the seasonal rooftop pool. With a reputation as one of the best swim spots in the city, the pool alone merits a stay here during the summer months. To the south east of the hotel you’ll find The Yards Park and – to the south west – the lively waterside area, The Wharf. Across the river is the Frederick Douglass site. If you want to head north into the city, the hotel offers a free shuttle in the mornings (though you have to make your own way back).

This hip-looking four-star reflects the up-and-coming nature of the Navy Yard neighbourhood. Once an underappreciated part of the city, it’s now one of DC’s hottest spots, with cool eateries like ramen shop Hatoba, seafood-focused The Salt Line, and microbrewery Bluejacket. The hotel itself is inspired by the area’s maritime past. It’s decked out in moody tones of blue, grey and cream, while occasional subtle elements such as ropes hint at a nautical theme. Take a walk along the actual water on the nearby Riverwalk trail, or wander over the bridge to the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site.