2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BEST HOTELS IN WASHINGTON DC


Where to Find Cheap Hotels in Washington DC for a Bargain Vacation

Washington, DC, the Nation’s Capitol, is a great place to vacation that has something for everyone and many of the attractions are free to visit. To make the most of a bargain DC vacation, you’ll want to find Washington DC hotel deals that offer great prices, plus other extras.

Best Cheap Hotels in Washington DC Red Award Emblem

Award Emblem: Top 6 Cheap Hotels in Washington DC

A total of 21.3 million visitors traveled to Washington DC in 2015, setting a new record for the city. It’s a popular destination for people from all over the world, many of them staying in Washington DC hotels that are close to the city’s many attractions.

When looking for cheap hotels in DC, you’ll find that the closer you are to places like the Smithsonian museums and the White House, the higher the prices are. The best hotels in DC are just steps away from places like the Capitol and multiple museums.

To save money when you travel, a great option is to use the Metro system. Many hotels in Washington DC that are lower priced might not be located in the heart of the city, but are next to a Metro station that will get you there in minutes.

For our review, we searched for cheap hotels Washington DC and looked through each hotel site to find not only the top hotels in DC with some history but also that had fairly low pricing on their website, beyond just the Washington DC hotel deals you can find on places like Expedia and Hotels.com.

Before we get into the comparison of cheap hotels in Washington DC, we’ll give you a run down of attractions you can visit and resources you can use to plan your trip.

There’s a reason that visitors flock to DC in increasing numbers each year; it’s a very affordable destination to see a lot of memorable places. Finding the best hotels in Washington DC with low prices can make it even more economical.

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AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 6 Cheap Hotels in Washington DC

List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the hotel names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that hotel):


Top 6 Washington DC Hotel Deals | Brief Comparison & Ranking

Cheap Hotels in Washington DC

Low Price on Websites of Washington DC Hotels

Low Price Showing on Google Search

Distance from Attractions

Club Quarters Hotel Washington DC

$169/night

$134/night

2 blocks from White House
Days Inn Washington DC/Connecticut Avenue

$169/night

$116/night

Less than 2 miles from Smithsonian National Zoo
Holiday Inn Washington-Capitol

$187/night

$136/night

1 block from Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Motel 6 Washington DC

$99/night

$99/night

6 miles from WWII Memorial and White House
The Baron Hotel

$159/night

$152/night

6 blocks from White House
The Windsor Inn Hotel

$149/night

$89/night

6 blocks from White House
Table: Top 6 Washington DC Hotel Deals | Above list is sorted alphabetically


Best Hotels in Washington DC FAQ | Where Can I Go for Free?

Once you’ve found hotels in Washington DC to make your vacation economical, you’ll want to start planning visits to all those excellent attractions in the area. And there is so much you can see for free that it can keep you happily occupied the whole trip.

Even if you book one of the cheap hotels in DC that is a few miles away from the places you want to see, you can easily take the Metro to get you everywhere or just rent a car if you prefer.

hotels in washington dc

Image Source: Best Hotels in Washington DC

Here are several attractions you can visit for free while staying in the best hotels in DC.

Smithsonian Museums

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. They have 19 museums, galleries, and gardens to visit. Their most popular museums include the Air and Space Museum, American History Museum, Natural History Museum, and the Smithsonian Castle.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo

If you’re searching “cheap hotels Washington DC” for a family with children, then you’ll definitely want to put the Smithsonian’s National Zoo on your list of places to visit. It’s located off the Metro stops of both Woodley Park (uphill walk) and Cleveland Park (flat walk).

Memorials

Washington, DC, has a rich heritage and some of the most impressive memorials you’ll find anywhere. All of them are free to visit and include:

  • Lincoln Memorial
  • Washington Monument
  • National World War II Memorial
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial
  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
  • Thomas Jefferson Memorial
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

The White House

Even if you’ve chosen to stay in cheap hotels in DC, you can visit one of the most notable places to stay in the country, the White House. Tours are free of charge, but you’ll want to submit a request through your Congress representative in advance.

Capitol Building

Want to see the government in action? You can take a guided tour of the Capitol and even may get a staff-led tour by the office of your Representative or Senator. Details on booking a tour can be found here.


Best Hotels in Washington DC FAQ | Travel Tips

Finding one of the great Washington DC hotel deals is a good start to booking an excellent family vacation, but there are a few other tips that may help to make your vacation the best it can be.

Plan for Long Walks

The Smithsonian Museum complex looks pretty easy to navigate on paper, but when you’re there, it’s quite a long walk from one museum to another, so plan to take breaks and have plenty of water on hand.

Check Your Bags

Have you arrived way before your hotel check-in time? Most of the best hotels in Washington DC will allow you to stow your bags there even before your designated check-in time, so you can explore the city without having to take a roller bag along.

Have Cash for Cabs

While the times may have changed, there are still some DC taxis that may not accept credit cards. So it may make life easier just to have cash on hand if you plan to take a cab anywhere.

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Detailed Review—Top Ranking Best Cheap Hotels in Washington DC

Below, please find a detailed review of each hotel on our list of best hotels in Washington DC. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these Washington DC hotel deals to score so highly in our selection ranking.



Club Quarters Hotel Washington DC Review


The Club Quarters Hotel Washington DC is made for the business traveler, but that doesn’t mean a vacationer looking for great-priced Washington DC hotels can’t stay there too.

Located at 839 17th Street NW (at 17th and I streets), this is one of the hotels in Washington DC that is close to multiple legal and professional offices and a myriad of restaurants. And if you’ve booked a White House tour, you’re just two blocks away.

Highlights that Make It Stand Out on Our Top List of Cheap Hotels in Washington DC

Walk to the White House

A great feature that makes this one of the top hotels in DC is that it is low-priced and within walking distance to the White House and famous monuments and museums. When you’re looking to save money with one of the cheap hotels in Washington DC, being close to attractions is a huge bonus.

Club Quarters Hotel Washington DC - washington dc hotels

Image Source: Club Quarters Hotels | Top Hotels in DC

Kitchenette Options

When you’re on vacation, food can be expensive. This is one of the best hotels in DC that has kitchenette options in their rooms, meaning you can save a lot by bringing your own food to cook in your room instead of having to dine out every night.

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Days Inn Washington DC/Connecticut Avenue Review


If you’re looking for familiar and cheap hotels in DC to stay in, the Days Inn Washington DC/Connecticut Avenue is a great choice. They make it easy to explore all that our Nation’s Capitol has to offer while still getting a great price.

This is one of the Washington DC hotels located in the Forest Hills area, and is just 1.5 blocks from the Metro and also has an Avis Budget car rental onsite if you’d like to rent a car to explore the area.

Highlights that Make It Stand Out on Our Top List of Cheap Hotels in Washington DC

Cheap and Close to the Action

This is one of the hotels in Washington DC that has great prices but is still minutes away from the heart of DC. They’re just 1.5 blocks from the nearest Metro station, giving you a lower priced option for the best hotels in DC that gets you where you want to go in minutes.

Charging Stations for Vehicles

If you’re driving an electronic vehicle on your vacation, you want to know where to find cheap hotels, Washington DC that you can park and charge. The Days Inn offers ChargePro EV charging stations for electric vehicles.



Holiday Inn Washington-Capitol Review


If you don’t mind paying just a little more to be within walking distance to the best museums in the world, then the Holiday Inn Washington-Capitol will be your best choice for cheap hotels in Washington DC.

No rental car or Metro pass needed if you book this as one of the best hotels in Washington DC, because once you check in, you’re within walking distance not only to the Air and Space Museum but also the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and multiple other attractions.

Highlights that Make It Stand Out on Our Top List of Cheap Hotels in Washington DC

Kids Stay Free

This is one of the best Washington DC hotel deals because if you’re traveling with kids ages 12 and under, they stay free when sharing their parents’ room. And because this is so close to one of the most popular Smithsonian museums, it’s an easy family walk.

Holiday Inn Washington-Capitol - washington dc hotel deals

Image Source: Holiday Inn | Best Hotels in Washington DC

Swim and See the Capitol Too

A unique feature that you won’t find in other top hotels in DC is their rooftop pool that has a view of the Capitol building. The Holiday Inn offers the best of Washington DC hotels deals, by being both well priced and close to many popular DC attractions.

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Motel 6 Washington DC Review


If you don’t mind being a little farther from the main DC attractions and want to find the lowest of the cheap hotels in Washington DC, then the Motel 6 Washington DC is the perfect place to stay for less than $100 per night.

They’re located at 6711 Georgia Avenue NW and are within six miles of the World War II Memorial, the White House, and the US Supreme Court. The Metro is about 15 minutes away, so if you have a car, this would be one of the best hotels in Washington DC to book for the lowest rate.

Highlights that Make This Stand Out on Our Top List of Cheap Hotels in Washington DC

Most Economical Price

At only $99 per night, Motel 6 offers one of the best Washington DC hotel deals. You can still enjoy all that our nation’s Capitol has to offer while getting the lowest price of any of the Washington DC hotels in the area.

Pets Allowed

Sometimes you want to take your whole family on vacation, including the furry family members. What is great about Motel 6 is that they are one of the best hotels in Washington DC that is not only affordable, but that also allows you to bring your pets along.



The Baron Hotel Review


If you like a little history when looking for cheap hotels in Washington DC, you won’t be disappointed with The Baron Hotel. It’s located in the heart of Dupont Circle and just 1.5 miles from the Washington Monument.

This is one of the cheap hotels in DC that has a style all it’s own. It’s located at 1523 22nd Street NW in DC and has the award-winning Bier Baron Tavern on site, which has more than 600 different beers.

Highlights that Make It Stand Out on Our Top List of Cheap Hotels in Washington DC

One of DC’s Oldest Beer Bars

When it comes to the best hotels in Washington DC, The Baron Hotel has a personality and history all its own.

You can kick back after a day of sightseeing in one of Washington DC’s oldest beer bars and enjoy a selection of 50 rare draft brews, cask ales, and more than 500 beers from around the world.

Foodie Heaven

If you love great cuisine, then this is one of the best hotels in DC to stay in because it’s just one block from more than 300 restaurants of all types. And if you’re a Whole Foods fan, they have one nearby so you can stock your favorite comfort foods to enjoy in your room.



The Windsor Inn Hotel Review


The Windsor Inn Hotel was first built in 1913 as a luxury apartment building, and when you walk through the doors and see the original art-deco counters and floor tiles, you may feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It proves that cheap hotels in Washington DC can also be classy.

This is one of the Washington DC hotel deals that is affordable and is also conveniently located close to the Dupont Metro station and the 13th/U St. Metro station, so you can easily visit any place you desire.

The Windsor Inn Hotel - best hotels in washington dc

Image Source: The Windsor Inn Hotel | Cheap Hotels In Washington DC

Highlights that Make This Stand Out on Our Top List of Cheap Hotels in Washington DC

Just a Few Steps from Georgetown

This is one of the best hotels in Washington DC if you want to experience the charm of Georgetown up close. It’s just few steps from the cobblestone sidewalks and trendy boutiques and restaurants in the area.

When you choose the Windsor from a search of “great cheap hotels Washington DC,” you can also visit the one-time homes of JFK and Julia Child, which are both nearby this historic building.

Concierge Service

Not all hotels in Washington DC have a personal touch. But when you stay at the Windsor Inn Hotel, you’re going to feel like you’re being treated like royalty.

Some of the amenities that you’ll get beyond normal Washington DC hotel deals include:

  • Complimentary continental breakfast
  • Complimentary Washington Post newspaper
  • Free Wi-Fi access
  • 24-hour front desk assistance
  • 24-hour copy and fax service

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Conclusion—Top 6 Cheap Hotels in Washington DC

You can feel like you’re sleeping in luxury when staying in the best hotels in Washington DC even though they have lower prices. And no matter which of the cheap hotels in DC you choose, you have access via the Metro to get wherever you like.

Whether you choose one of the Washington DC hotel deals that is a block or two from the Smithsonian or one that’s a little farther out, you will still have plenty of things to do right outside your door.

Conclusion - cheap hotels in washington dc

Image Source: Pexels

One of the great things about DC is that the city offers so many activities, and they’re all just a short walk or Metro ride away. The best hotels in Washington DC will give you a great base to explore from and offer you some travel tips and deals as well.

If you know the great cheap hotels in Washington DC to book, along with all the great free attractions, then you can enjoy an exceptional family vacation at a bargain price.



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