The Best Washington DC Hotels for the Holidays

Between buying gifts, attending parties and reactivating your gym membership to hopefully offset the impact of said parties, the holidays are a hectic time. The kind of hectic that could make you, oh I don’t know, forget to book a room for a certain someone coming into town.

Fear not: we have you covered with this handy list of hotels for every variety of holiday guest you may be expecting this year.

For the parents: The Jefferson Hotel
Downtown

Both classically luxurious and contemporary in feel, The Jefferson is a prime choice for where to house the ‘rents this holiday season. They’ll have plenty of dining options to choose from without even having the leave the hotel, from the more opulent Plume to the loungey Quill. Besides its proximity to popular DC attractions such as the National Geographic Museum and the White House, your parents will have fun checking out the hotel’s antique furnishings, curated art, a noteworthy collection of books and nine framed original documents bearing Thomas Jefferson’s signature. Mom can even bring her beloved pooch along, as all the rooms are dog friendly (for a fee of $50).

The Conrad DC — (Instagram/@conradwashingtondc)

For the in-laws: The Conrad Washington, DC
Downtown

Trying to impress the in-laws? Look no further than the ultra modern Conrad. One of the most stylish hotels in town, entering the Conrad kind of feels like walking into a designer spaceship … in a good way. Besides spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, the hotel is also located right across from CityCenterDC, where they can do any of their last-minute holiday shopping. Dining options include the highly personalized Sakura Club or Estuary by the Voltaggio brothers for a modern take on Chesapeake Bay classics.

For the DC first-timer: The Watergate Hotel
Foggy Bottom

The totally revamped and surprisingly affordable Watergate is the perfect option for DC newcomers and history buffs alike with its iconic grandeur, infamous place in DC history and stunning views of the Potomac River from both the rooms and the rooftop. The location is great for an afternoon strolling Georgetown or grabbing brunch at the waterfront, and even better for if you’re catching a show at the Kennedy Center later that night. For a unique experience, try renting one of their Winter Igloos for a drink or two, located on the patio of the Next Whisky Bar.

For the child-toting: The Darcy
Logan Circle

Eclectically modern with what they describe as a “European sensibility,” The Darcy is a boutique hotel just a few blocks north of The Jefferson and close to the hip, charming neighborhood of Logan Circle. With rooms that have a stylish residential feel, pet-friendly accommodations and courtesy bike and scooter rentals, it’s a good option for your out-of-town friends or family bringing kiddos along. Make sure they grab a Darcy Daypack, too — complimentary backpacks that contain all the materials for kids to have fun DC adventures, with themes like “The Darcy Detective” and “Hip Historian.”

For the friends: The St. Gregory Hotel
Dupont Circle

Go ahead and put your selectively rowdy but always tasteful friends staying for New Year’s Eve at The St. Gregory, centrally located near Dupont Circle and West End. With sensibly priced rooms that don’t skimp on style and comfort, your visiting pals will also be impressed with the ultra dapper lobby and adjoining St. Greg Kitchen & Bar. From 5:30-6:30 p.m., the hotel offers its guests complimentary vino, and a suite stay on the penthouse floor comes with spacious balconies and a wet bar — perfect for getting the party started in style.

For the wealthy aunt and uncle who know exactly what they want: The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C.
West End

For your relatives with the most discerning taste and a budget to match, we suggest a stay at The Ritz-Carlton. They’ll love the spacious suites and deluxe rooms with oversized Italian marble bathrooms as well as the option for an overnight shoe shine and laundry service to get ready for the big family get-together. During downtime they can work out at the 100,000-square-foot Equinox Sports Club next door and then reward themselves with a sound-aged Negroni at Quadrant Bar & Lounge. If your rich, eccentric aunt or uncle is also a fine whiskey lover (of course they are), you can clue them in on the fact that Quadrant is home to a locked rare whiskey vault that they’ll get to peek into after ordering a pour off the reserve list.

For the romantic staycation: The Mandarin Oriental
Southwest Waterfront

Treat yourself and your beau to a stay at the classically luxurious Mandarin Oriental, right by the Tidal Basin and a short walk or drive to the Wharf for dinner, drinks or a show. The elegantly furnished rooms are made to impress, but the real focal point is the spa-inspired bathroom with deep soaking tubs. Whether your partner is coming from out of town or you two just need a few nights of staycation to unwind from the hectic holidays, a trip to their well-appointed spa is exactly what the doctor ordered, followed up by dinner and a handcrafted cocktail at their newly opened American bistro, Amity & Commerce.

For the college kids: Hotel Hive
Foggy Bottom

Your kids (or grandkids) will thrive at the buzzy Hotel Hive, a refreshingly low-cost option for such a prime location by George Washington University. As DC’s first “micro hotel” their rooms may be on the smaller side, but are perfect for those who will most likely be spending more time at The Hive Bar and outside the hotel. Rooms are available with either a standard king or queen bed, or even bunk style if you’ve got two kids visiting. There’s also the ability to stay in adjoining rooms to keep the family together. Besides, they’ll love the fact that the onsite food option is none other than &pizza, serving inventive slices of ‘za for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For the friend who works (and parties) hard: Eaton DC
Downtown

Perhaps the most multi-functioning hotel in town, the Eaton literally has everything your guest would need within its walls, from a dedicated workspace that’s available to all guests to a casual rooftop restaurant and bar, full restaurant downstairs, cafe, wellness center, events programming and even a sleek speakeasy style bar behind the lobby called Allegory. Out of town friends who might have to get some work done in the afternoon will appreciate the ample space and free wifi as well as the Eaton’s highly aesthetic mid-century modern digs. After they close their laptop for the day you can meet up for dinner at American Son for some upscale comfort food that’ll hit the spot before you hit the town.