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HotelsWashington, D.C.'s 120-plus hotels are as varied as the clienteles they cater to: Hefty, thousand-room-sized properties, like the Washington Hilton, handle big business groups; luxury hotels such as the Four Seasons attend to VIPs; trendy establishments, like Donovan House, draw hipsters; all-suites hotels, like the Embassy Suites, appeal to families. Washington's compact size and the fact that most of its hotels are located on or near major avenues mean that no matter where you stay, you're never far from some attraction or other. The challenge for most travelers comes down to budget: how to afford an overnight stay in the nation's capital, where hoteliers can count on a steady stream of tourists, conventioneers, and government business-related visitors, and set their rates accordingly. Price Categories Very Expensive $400 and up Expensive $300-$400 Moderate $200-$300 Inexpensive Under $200 What You'll Really Pay -- The price categories described here are for a hotel's rack rate, the maximum that a hotel might charge for a "double" room. Please note: The word "double" refers to the number of people in the room, not to the size of the bed. Most hotels charge one rate, regardless of whether one or two people occupy the room. In a few cases, a hotel specifies separate rates for "single" and "double" occupancy, and I provide that information. The Hotel Tabard Inn is one example. At most hotels, you probably won't pay the very highest rate unless you visit in the spring -- especially during cherry blossom season in late March and early April -- and during inauguration Januarys, every four years. These categories are intended as a general guideline only, since rates can rise and fall dramatically, depending on how busy the hotel is. In this guide, I've tried to show a more realistic picture, providing peak and off-peak rates, sometimes presented as a range, for each hotel. Discounts are often available on the hotel's own website, or by booking through agencies, or through websites such as Hotels.com or Expedia. When the timing's right, It's not impossible to obtain a room at an expensive property for the same rate as a more moderate one. For instance, rack rates at the W Washington Hotel start at $369, but a cursory search of the usual Web discount sites in January 2011 revealed that the going rate was actually closer to $179. If you're the gambling type, you can bid for a room on Priceline. And if you're persistent, you can try besting the hotel's own discount by searching for a better price on the websites of the major discounters, then calling the hotel and quoting the discovered cheaper rate -- it's usually hotel policy to match the lower price. Note: Quoted discount rates almost never include breakfast or hotel tax. The Big Picture "You can't really be a hotel chain in America without Washington," said Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Hotels (and founder of the Virgin Group of airlines and other businesses). Quoted in a January 31, 2011, Washington Post Business section article about Washington's lusty lodging market, Branson's remark points up a basic fact about the city's hotel possibilities: If you have a favorite brand of hotel chain, you're likely to find it represented here, from the big boys, like Marriotts (17!), Hiltons, and Sheratons, to international chains like Ireland's gracious Doyle and France's chic Sofitel. Kimpton Group Hotels, the un-chainlike chain, now counts 11 hotels in the D.C. area and continues to up the ante on whimsically chic lodging. Hipster brands include the Thompson Hotels Collection's Donovan House and W Hotels' W Washington, D.C. Will Branson's new Virgin Hotels chain of upscale, sophisticated properties soon have a location in the capital? Perhaps, and if it does, it will be joining a crowded market. Luxury lodging is big business in D.C. Again, the high-end chains are here, including the Four Seasons, two Ritz-Carltons, and the Mandarin Oriental, all vying with each other, and with four exquisite, historic establishments, the Hay-Adams, the St. Regis, the Jefferson, and the Willard Hotel -- for the patronage of the wealthy. Washington also has a number of vital homegrown accommodations, from the romantic Swann House in the Dupont Circle neighborhood to the Georgetown Suites, always a remarkable deal given its buzzing locale. Inexpensive and moderately priced hotels are always in short supply. In fact, cheapest rates are found more readily outside the District, in suburban Virginia and Maryland motels and hotels -- that's where school groups usually stay. And keep in mind that D.C. hotel sales tax is a whopping 14.5%, merchandise sales tax is 6%, and food and beverage tax is 10%, all of which can rapidly increase the cost of a room. Reservations Services If you suffer from information overload and would rather someone else do the research and bargaining, you can always turn to one of these two reputable -- and free! -- local reservations services:
When All Else Fails If your luck and time are running out and you still haven't found a place to stay, these ideas are worth a try:
Kimpton Perks All hotels in the innovative Kimpton chain offer in-room spa services, reservable when you book your room, and complimentary Wi-Fi, once you sign up for the free membership program at check-in. See Rouge, The George, Monaco Washington DC, Helix, Palomar Washington DC, Madera, and Topaz. Extended Stays in the Heart of the City Travelers to Washington, D.C., who plan to visit for a week or longer should know about the centrally located AKA White House District apartments/hotel (1710 H St. NW; www.stayaka.com; tel. 202/904-2500). The D.C. location is one of 10 AKA properties (most are in NYC), all of which offer luxuriously furnished one- and two-bedroom apartments that are available for per-night rates (a minimum of 4-7 nights is generally required) or negotiated lease terms for extended stays. Federal employees will be happy to learn that AKA accepts the government's per-diem rate. Check out the website to see for yourself some of the property's fine appointments and amenities, including fully equipped kitchens, stylish decor, free Wi-Fi, on-site fitness center, washer/dryer (in each apartment), and complimentary continental breakfast. K Street law offices, the White House, the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery, and excellent restaurants, like BLT Steak, are just some of the property's notable neighbors.
Maps Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip. Related Features Deals & News
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