America’s capital city is one of the most popular destinations for tourists, jam-packed with cultural attractions, iconic landmarks and a wide range of culinary options. Washington, D.C. also tends to attract plenty of business travelers. No matter what the reason you plan to visit, you’ll find a wide range of accommodations to choose from, but these boutique hotels are especially impressive, offering more personalized attention and a more unique stay.
Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square
Located next to Lafayette Square in downtown D.C. just two blocks from the White House, Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square is the ideal spot for sightseers and business travelers. It offers plenty of luxuries as well, including rooms with stocked minibars, sumptuous linens, 55-inch flat-screen TVs, Bose sound systems and marble bathrooms. The stylish bar provides free coffee and tea, while the Opalie Bar & Brasserie serves gourmet French cuisine and 24-hour room service is available.
The Jefferson
This historic boutique hotel is set within a 1920s building and pays homage to founding father, Thomas Jefferson. It offers a central location that’s only about a 10-minute walk to the White House along with plenty of old-world charms. Guests can expect high-quality antique furnishings, wood paneling and marble fireplaces along with a luxurious lounge stocked with vintage books and comfortable couches. It also hosts an intimate spa with custom-designed services utilizing herbs and botanicals that are grown in Monticello’s gardens, ideal for relaxing after a long day out on your feet. The property is home to three restaurants (one of which is Michelin-starred) and a fitness center, while complimentary access is provided to facilities at the nearby University Club which has an indoor heated pool.
The Liaison Capitol Hill
One of the newer hotels in DC, The Liaison Capitol Hill opened in 2008 and boasts a destination restaurant headed by Art Smith, Oprah’s former private chef, The Art and Soul. It serves Southern comfort fare using ingredients from local farms, with popular dishes like smoked ribeye and buttermilk mashed potatoes. Guests can also enjoy the swanky rooftop pool and bar in the summer, while rooms feature luxurious beds, iHome docks and high-end toiletries. In-room spa treatments are available, including manicures, pedicures and massage.
Rosewood Washington DC
The Rosewood Washington, D.C. sits along the C&O Canal just steps from the wealth of dining and shopping venues in Georgetown. This intimate boutique hotel is jam-packed with amenities, in fact, every guest gets a personal assistant who provides round-the-clock service. It also includes an indoor/outdoor rooftop infinity pool with views of the Washington Monument and a fitness center. All rooms and suites have hardwood floors, luxurious Pratesi linens and large bathrooms with deep-soaking tubs. In-room spa treatments are available too. The in-house Grill Room is impressive, featuring a menu focused on prime cuts of steak and fresh seafood.
Hay-Adams
One of D.C.’s most famous hotels, the Hay-Adams is located directly across the street from the White House. Opened back in 1928, it’s been spotlighted in multiple TV shows and films and tends to attract quite a few dignitaries and VIPs as well as business travelers and tourists. The rooms and suites come with lots of opulent touches like ornamental fireplaces and marble bathrooms – some even have views of the White House. Guests can also enjoy free morning newspapers and take advantage of Tesla car service to get around the downtown area.
The Graham
The Graham in Georgetown is famous for its swanky bars, including the Graham Rooftop and The Alex Craft Cocktail Cellar & Speakeasy. The Alex has a romantic, moody Victorian aesthetic inspired by Alexander Graham Bell who once lived in the area and hosts live jazz every Saturday night. The boutique hotel itself offers quiet rooms, over half of which are suites with sofabeds and large bathrooms, providing a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle.
The Kimpton Donovan
The Kimpton Donovan in downtown D.C. is located within walking distance of the National Mall and the White House. It stands out for its tasty Asian fusion fare offered at its onsite restaurant, Zentan, as well as a beautiful rooftop pool and complimentary evening wine tasting. Rooms include LCD flat-screen televisions and minibars stocked with Dean & DeLuca gourmet items.
The Dupont Circle
The Dupont Circle Hotel is named for the trendy neighborhood it’s located in, with some of the top nightlife spots within easy reach. It’s ideal for those who want to spend lots of time enjoying the offerings after dark before returning to a room with luxurious amenities like heated bathroom tiles and attractive modern decor. The hotel also hosts the Café Dupont which serves French cuisine and the Bar Dupont, known for its lively happy hour.
The Line DC
The LINE DC is located in the hip Adams Morgan neighborhood. It’s easy to miss with its neoclassic facade that doesn’t look like it would host 220 guest rooms but you’re in for a surprise from the moment you step in. Housed inside a former church, there are over 3,000 original works of art in this unique property, along with three fantastic restaurants, including A Rake’s Progress (helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Spike Gjerde) which serves local cuisine like Rock Hall rockfish and Virginia ham, a coffee shop, two bars and 24-hour room service.
Henley Park Hotel
The Henley Park Hotel is a 96-room boutique property frequented by politicians and other notables, centrally located in downtown D.C. across the street from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. A former apartment building with historic architecture and charming antique decor, its standard rooms all include complimentary bottled water, Bath & Body Works toiletries and Frette linens. Book a suite and you’ll get a large sitting area and bar. The hotel also has a parlor where afternoon tea is served, an upscale bar and a full-service restaurant on site.
