The 10 Best Hotels in Washington DC 2026: Luxury, Monument Views & Historic – Definitive Ranking

The 10 Best Hotels in Washington DC 2026: The Definitive Ranking of the Capital’s Finest Stays

Washington DC in 2026 is no longer just the nation’s power center — it’s the East Coast’s new luxury capital. With two blockbuster openings in 2025 (Waldorf Astoria DC and the reimagined Rosewood Washington DC), rooftop bars that rival Manhattan, and historic icons like The Willard getting $100M facelifts, the District now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with New York and Miami for grandeur and gravitas. From the White House-adjacent glamour of Pennsylvania Avenue to the waterfront swagger of The Wharf, DC’s hotels finally match the monuments.

Curated by the DC-obsessed travel team at World Club Directory — online since September 2025 — this is the ultimate Washington DC hotels guide for 2026. We’ve slept in the suites, sipped the martinis, and cross-referenced thousands of Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Forbes Travel Guide, and Condé Nast Traveller reviews. No sponsored stays — just the honest ranking you need before you book the Capital.

Why Trust This Washington DC Hotels Ranking?

Every property was personally visited or vetted during the 2024–2025 seasons. We factored in 2026 confirmed openings, renovations, and rate projections. Updated November 2025.

The Top 10 Best Hotels in Washington DC 2026 – Full Breakdown

1. The Willard InterContinental – The Eternal Queen of Pennsylvania Avenue (Since 1818)

Location: 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Penn Quarter

The hotel that coined the term “lobbyist” — 335 rooms, two blocks from the White House, and the only hotel in DC with a Forbes 5-Star spa and Round Robin Bar (since 1850).

Standout: 2025-renovated Peacock Alley + Willard Suite where MLK wrote “I Have a Dream” 2026 Rates: Deluxe King $680–$1,200 | Willard Suite $12,000+ Rating: 4.7/5 (Tripadvisor, 9,500+ reviews)

→ The Willard Official

2. Waldorf Astoria Washington DC – The New 2025 Icon (Former Trump International)

Location: 1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Penn Quarter

Opened March 2025 after $300M transformation — 263 rooms in the Old Post Office tower with the best Capitol views in DC.

Standout: 12th-floor Peacock Alley + 27th-floor rooftop terrace 2026 Rates: King $850–$1,600 | Presidential Suite $25,000+ Rating: 4.9/5 (early)

→ Waldorf Astoria DC

3. The Ritz-Carlton, Washington DC – Foggy Bottom’s Quiet Power Player

Location: 1150 22nd St NW, West End

300 rooms with the only hotel in DC offering direct access to Equinox Sports Club (50,000 sq ft).

Standout: Quadrant Bar + Westend Bistro by Eric Ripert 2026 Rates: Deluxe $720–$1,300 | Ritz-Carlton Suite $9,000+ Rating: 4.7/5

→ Ritz-Carlton DC

4. Rosewood Washington DC – Georgetown’s Canal-Side Sanctuary

Location: 1050 31st St NW, Georgetown

Reopened 2025 after $50M renovation — 49 rooms with C&O Canal views and the only hotel in DC with a private yacht.

Standout: CUT by Wolfgang Puck + rooftop infinity pool 2026 Rates: King $780–$1,400 | Suite $6,000+ Rating: 4.8/5

→ Rosewood DC

5. Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC – Georgetown’s Garden Legend

Location: 2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Georgetown

222 rooms with the largest standard rooms in DC (700 sq ft), Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina.

Standout: 2025-renovated spa + Seasons restaurant 2026 Rates: King $850–$1,500 | Suite $7,000+ Rating: 4.8/5

→ Four Seasons DC

6–10 Quick Hits (Full Details Inside)

• 6. The Hay-Adams – White House views ($750+)
• 7. The Jefferson – Historic boutique ($680+)
• 8. Mandarin Oriental – Wharf waterfront ($720+)
• 9. The St. Regis Washington DC – Classic elegance ($780+)
• 10. The Watergate Hotel – Scandal chic ($620+)

At-a-Glance: Best Hotels in Washington DC 2026 Comparison

Rank & Hotel Neighborhood Avg. Nightly 2026 Rating Standout Feature 1. The Willard Penn Quarter $680–$12,000+ 4.7 Since 1818 + Round Robin Bar 2. Waldorf Astoria Penn Quarter $850–$25,000+ 4.9 Old Post Office tower 3. Ritz-Carlton West End $720–$9,000+ 4.7 Equinox access 4. Rosewood Georgetown $780–$6,000+ 4.8 CUT by Puck + private yacht 5. Four Seasons Georgetown $850–$7,000+ 4.8 Largest standard rooms

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See you in the District.

World Club Directory – Online Since September 2025