There are many places to stay in Washington DC near metro transportation. In this guide, we will go over the best places to stay in downtown Washington, as well as in the surrounding areas. Having great access to public transportation is very helpful when visiting Washington DC, but traffic can become very congested at times.
Be sure to scroll all the way down to also find luxury and budget options in nearby Virginia and Maryland, since Washington DC neighbors these areas.
Best Places To Stay In Washington DC Near Metro
Every hotel below has very easy access to downtown Washington through the metro. Here are the best hotels to check out that are not only close to a metro station but also walking distance to several attractions, restaurants and generally have a good location.
Dupont Circle Hotel – Luxury Hotel – Top Choice
The Dupont Circle Hotel is a 5-star hotel located directly on the bustling Dupont Circle on New Hampshire Avenue. It is less than a 5 minute walk to the Dupont Circle Metro Station which is only on the Red line. The hotel itself has multiple food and drink options such as a coffee bar in the lobby with an assortment of pastries and breakfast foods to start the day. It is also home to The Pembroke, a highly rated restaurant that has floor to ceiling windows along with a French and American theme. Along with terrace seating, they have a martini bar and lounge with wide views of downtown DC and Dupont Circle. They also offer a laundry and dry cleaning service along with a 24/7 fitness center.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco – Moderate Luxury – Top Choice
The Kimpton Hotel Monaco is located on F street across from the National Portrait Gallery and 2 minutes away from the Capital One Arena. Although not regarded as an ultra luxury hotel, it is still a great place to stay when it comes to a mix of luxury and convenience to sight seeing. It is also more centrally located when compared to some of the other options on this list.
It is about a 3 minute walk from the Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter Metro Station, which connects the green and yellow subways, and it is also a 5 minute walk from the Gallery Pl Chinatown Metro Station, which connects the Green, Red, and Yellow subways. It is also less than half a mile from the National Mall. They offer a French/New-American cuisine on-site as well as other amenities including a 24 hour gym and complimentary bike rentals. They also hold a free wine reception every evening.
Citizen M Capitol Hotel – School Street
There are multiple Citizen M Hotels so be sure to book the right one. The Citizen M Capitol Hotel is conveniently located next to two major Metro stops – L’Enfant Plaza and Federal Center. There are 3 metro lines that run through both of these stops. The Blue line will also conveniently connect you to DCA airport so you don’t have to rely on taxi or ride share to get to the airport.
All Citizen M rooms have King Beds. It is largely geared towards couples and solo travelers. The hotel has a beautiful rooftop and lively lobby area. The hotel rooms are small but the common spaces have room to spread out.
Arc Hotel – Top Budget Choice For Families
The Arc Hotel has a modern design and all your basic necessities. While it does not have a spa, it is in a great location for access to sightseeing. It is located in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of DC and is a short walk to the GWU-Foggy Bottom metro station. This metro station has 3 lines that run through it. The Blue Line will actually take you to the DCA airport (Ronald Reagan Airport) so you can easily use this metro line for easy access into and out of this DC airport.
The Arc Hotel also has junior suites for a couple and one to two children, just under $300 depending on the time of year that you book. The one bed rooms are also very affordable for solo travelers and couples.
Thompson Hotel – Luxury – Top Choice For Couples & Solo Travelers
The Thompson Hotel is located in Navy Yard on Tingey Street. It is a 5 minute walk to both Nationals Park and The Yards Park. It is a 4 minute walk to the Navy Yard Ballpark Metro which is only on the Green line. This hotel includes many amenities and is also pet free. The amenities include a fitness center, laundry services, and a restaurant. It overlooks the Anacostia River and offers a rooftop bar to enjoy the views. The restaurant is an American inspired restaurant for both breakfast and dinner.
The Thompson Hotel is in the vibrant and newer Navy Yard neighborhood. This area has lots of dining options aside from the hotel dining. There is also a great rooftop bar that is popular and lots of easy places to walk to for dinner or a drink after a day of sightseeing.
Embassy Suites Near Convention Center – Best Family Hotels
Embassy Suites is located on 10th St near the City Center and Museum of Illusions. It is near 4 metros. The Gallery Pl Chinatown metro connects the Green, Red, and Yellow lines. The Mount Vernon Square 7th Street Metro connects the Green and the Yellow lines. Metro Center connects the Blue, Orange, Red, and Silver lines. The McPherson Square Metro connects the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. This hotel offers free made-to-order breakfast, an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a complimentary reception every evening.
Salamander Hotel – Luxury Hotel
The Salamander Hotel is located at the end of the Maryland Avenue loop just next to the Potomac River. It is within a 10 minute walk from the L’Enfant Plaza Metro, which is a connecting station to the blue, green, orange, yellow, and silver. It is right next to the Artechouse Museum and near the International Spy Museum, it is also only an 8 minute walk to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and only a little over a mile from downtown DC and the White House.
Because it is located walking distance from many major attractions, this hotel is not in a neighborhood. Therefore, there are limited dining options adjacent to the hotel. However, luckily the DC Wharf is about 10 minute walk from this hotel. The DC Wharf area has lots of things to do and many restaurant options.
The Salamander Hotel use to be the old Mandarin Oriental Hotel before it went through a rebrand. It is very popular with business travelers. Within the hotel, they have a cocktail lounge, an Asian restaurant, and also offer paid breakfast. For amenities, they offer a spa and an indoor pool along with a fitness center.
Coda on Half
Coda on Half is located at the corner of L street and Half street near The Bullpen. It is within a few minute walk of the Navy Yard Ballpark Metro which is only on the Green line. The green line runs down to Camp Springs, Maryland, and up through DC to end at College park, Maryland. Its amenities include a state of the art fitness center, a rooftop clubhouse lounge, and an outdoor terrace.
Motto By Hilton
The Motto Hotel by Hilton is located on H Street in the Penn Quarter Neighborhood. It is across the street from the Gallery Pl Chinatown Metro Station, which connects the Green, Red, and Yellow subways. The yellow and green lines run right through the middle of downtown dc for a quick and easy ride to the monuments and museums. It is a few minutes walk away from the Capital One Arena and the National Portrait Gallery. The hotel is home to a diner, a whisky bar, and a rooftop bar. They also have a fitness center and lounge.
Hotel Hive
Hotel Hive is located on F street near George Washington University. It is down the street from the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro Station, which connects the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. It is also a 10 minute walk from the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall. They have 3 dining options. &Pizza shop is a renowned pizza restaurant that allows you to create your own pizza. The Hive Bar provides both coffee and cocktails and includes a happy hour with only $4 for beer and $5 for wine and cocktails. The Hive Rooftop is a greta spot to relax and take in the sights of sc while enjoying cocktails and pizza. Hotel Hive is the best budget option in this area and provides a great view and access to DC.
Waldorf Astoria – Luxury Hotel
The Waldorf Astoria Hotel is located on Pennsylvania Avenue. The hotel is right across the street from the Federal Triangle Metro which connects the blue, orange, and silver metro lines. It is also very close to the National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, and the National Archives Museum. This hotel is incredibly luxurious and displays it with a 9 story atrium. The building also has a large clock tower that is available to be toured by guests. The amenities include a lobby bar, a restaurant, a sushi place, a fitness center, and even a spa.
If you can afford it, this is a primely located D.C. Hotel for sightseeing. Not only does the Federal Triangle Metro have many subway lines, the hotel itself is walking distance to many attractions. This makes it a convenient place to stay if sightseeing is a priority. One of DC’s famous chefs Jose Andres has also opened an outpost of his popular Miami restaurant Bazaar inside the lobby of this hotel. Bazaar is a luxury experience restaurant with great tapas and creative cocktails.
Washington Marriott At Metro Center
The Washington Marriott is located on 12th street and about a 10 minute walk from the White House. It is directly next to the Metro Center, which connects the Blue, Orange, Red, and Silver lines. It is also near the McPherson Square Metro which connects the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. This hotel offers both an American restaurant and a Starbucks, plus an indoor pool and fitness room.
Hotel Zena
Hotel Zena is located on 14th Street in Thomas Circle Park. It is closest to 2 different metros. The Farragut North Metro Station is about a 10 minute walk and is only on the red line. The McPherson Square Metro connects the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines and is only a 6 minute walk. The Hotel itself offers a lobby bar/lounge with billiards tables, drinks, and light meals. They also have a seasonal rooftop pool with a poolside bar.
Best Places To Stay In Washington DC Near Metro: Virginia
As you may already know, Washington DC is neighbored by Virginia on the west. There are a few neighborhoods that offer a great location near DC, but are technically in Virginia. These neighborhoods (Alexandria and Arlington) have their own metro stations and are usually much less expensive than some of the hotels in DC proper.
Lorien Hotel And Spa – Top Choice For Luxury & Families!
The Lorien Hotel and Spa is located in Alexandria on King Street. Even though this hotel is not technically in DC, it is located along metro lines that travel into Washington DC. It’s a great way to save money, get more space, have more amenities and still have easy access into Washington DC. This hotel is less than a 5 minute walk away from the King St-Old Town Metro Station, which connects the blue and yellow lines. Both lines will take you through potomac yard and into DC. The blue line will take a longer route and go through Theodore Roosevelt Island and Arlington National cemetery, and end up at FedEx Field. The yellow line is much shorter and goes straight into DC and ends at Mt. Vernon Square.
This hotel contains a great spa, 24/7 fitness center, a dining and a tasting center, as well as complimentary morning coffee and evening wine. This part of Alexandria has many popular restaurants and is a great choice when traveling as a couple or as a family. Many of the rooms here are suites and great for families traveling together. Family suites here are much cheaper than a similar sized room in downtown Washington DC.
Hyatt Centric Arlington
The Hyatt Centric in Arlington is located on Wilson Blvd in Arlington, Virginia. This hotel may not be in DC itself, but it is still located along the metro lines that travel quickly into Washington DC. It is closest to the Rosslyn Metro Station, which provide access to the blue, orange, and silver lines, which all go into downtown DC. The hotel itself offers fantastic amenities such as a 24 hour gym and multiple dining packages at their restaurants. They have a Starbucks, a cocktail lounge, and a sophisticated breakfast buffet restaurant.
Hyatt Place Arlington CourtHouse
Hyatt Place is located on Wilson Blvd in Arlington, Virginia. It is near the Courthouse Metro Station, which connects the orange and silver lines. Both of these lines go through downtown DC. The hotel is connected to the AUSA Conference and Event Center, and provides a laid back vibe and easy access to Dc for those finishing up meetings and conferences. The amenities include a 24 hour fitness center, a bar, and a casual dining area. They also allow pets and offer free breakfast.
Best Places To Stay In Washington DC Near Metro: Maryland
Similar to Virginia, Maryland is also very close to DC. Maryland’s Chevy Chase and Bethesda neighborhoods not only offer great convenience when sightseeing in DC, but they also provide more value. Other areas of Maryland like Silver Spring are also close to Washington D.C. but they are not as close to DC as Bethesda and Chevy Chase. In fact, both Bethesda and Chevy Chase are regarded as some of the best neighborhoods in the metro DC area. Crystal city is also a popular place in Maryland, but it is more commercial and has less of a neighborhood vibe.
AC Hotel Bethesda – Top Choice!
This AC Hotel is on the newer side, having opened up in 2022. It is a very short walk to the Bethesda Metro Station. The red line subway runs through the Bethesda metro and it makes stops at the Smithsonian Zoo, Dupont Circle, Farragut North (Stop for the White House), Metro Center (Near Ford’s Theatre). The red line to the Metro Center stop in DC will give you wide access to multiple other metro lines.
The great part about the AC Hotel Bethesda is that there are a lot of things to do in Bethesda when it comes to food and shopping. It is also more affordable than hotels in Downtown DC.
Embassy Suites In Chevy Chase
Embassy Suites in Chevy Chase is located on Military Road in the Chevy Chase Pavillion Shopping Center. Even though it is not technically in DC, this Maryland hotel is located along metro lines that travel into Washington DC. You will still have easy access into DC and also have a fun neighborhood vibe where you are staying.
The metro line nearest is the Friendship Heights metro which is directly across the street. This station is only on the red line, which can be followed directly in downtown DC and stop at both areas near the Smithsonian Museums and the National Zoo. This hotel offers a place to stay outside of downtown DC and provides free made-to-order breakfast and a complimentary evening reception.
Best Places To Stay In Washington DC Near Metro: Summary
There are so many options when it comes to the best places to stay in Washington DC near metro transportation. It is always more convenient to be in a central location where you can either have an easy walk to sightseeing or convenient access to the DC metro. Don’t forget to also check out popular places in Virginia (Arlington, Alexandria) and Maryland (Chevy Chase, Bethesda) that are close to the DC metro. There are great options here as well and these smaller cities have their own scene and vibe.