7 Best Budget-Friendly Washington, D.C. Hotels of 2022

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Washington, D.C. is one of the best places to travel on a budget. It’s not that bars, restaurants, or flights are always cheap—it’s that the city is teeming with free things to do, and over a hundred hotels in the capital means budget options abound. It all adds up to a great place to visit without spending a ton of money.

The iconic National Mall is lined with so many free attractions—including some of the country’s best museums—that you can do more in DC on a tighter budget than you can in some other cities. You can marvel at the White House, Capitol Building, and Washington Monument without paying a dime. Rock Creek Park offers over 2,000 acres of natural beauty, and the Potomac River gives waterfront lovers an area to relax. Plus, DC is one of the best walking cities in the world.

We put together a list of the best budget-friendly DC hotels for a variety of travelers, from solo explorers to families with young children. All the hotels on this list will put you within walking distance of many of the best things to do in DC, from sporting events to Chinatown to museums and more, and all of them offer clean, comfortable, quality accommodations to stay without breaking the bank.

7 Best Budget-Friendly Washington, D.C. Hotels of 2022

Best Overall: Hotel Hive
Best Location: Hampton Inn Washington-Downtown-Convention Center
Best for Explorers: State Plaza Hotel
Best for Families: Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown
Best Pool: The Washington Plaza
Best for Singles: Moxy Washington, DC Downtown
Best Boutique: The Georgetown House

Best Overall : Hotel Hive

See Rates on Kayak.com

Why We Chose It

Hotel Hive offers a hip, modern vibe with a fun atmosphere at a very affordable price.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Rooftop bar
Free high-speed Wi-Fi
Trendy neighborhood

Cons

Smallish rooms

Billed as a “microhotel,” Hotel Hive is not for everyone at first glance. But if you’re looking for fun, modernity, and quality, it’s more than worth a visit—and it's easy on the wallet. The rooms are small but well-appointed, and the Foggy Bottom location puts guests at the center of a vibrant college neighborhood near both the waterfront and Downtown. Two bars—including one on the Hive’s rooftop—make the spot a place to be seen; the beautiful exterior and tasteful interior design make it a place to see. The whole place has a clean, cool vibe that will appeal to those looking to travel in style.

Notable Amenities

On-site bars
Pet-friendly
Bluetooth music speakers

Best Location : Hampton Inn Washington-Downtown-Convention Center

See Rates on Kayak.com

Why We Chose It

With its proximity to diverse neighborhoods, including Chinatown, downtown, and the H Street Corridor, it's a great home base for exploring.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Prime location
Parking garage (paid)

Cons

Pets not allowed

An especially good option for business or leisure travel, the Hampton Inn Washington-Downtown-Convention Center sits at a cultural crossroads and near the city’s convention center. (Fun fact: It’s called the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and the “Washington” has nothing to do with the city’s name. It’s named after the District’s former mayor, who was the first African-American mayor of a major city in the United States). It’s also within walking distance of Chinatown, Capital One Arena, museums, and several different Metro lines. The large, attractive facility gives you the reliability of a major franchise—though unfortunately onsite dining options are limited to the basic included breakfast.

Notable Amenities

Fitness center and indoor pool
Free breakfast
Free high-speed WiFi

Best for Explorers : State Plaza Hotel

See Rates on Kayak.com

Why We Chose It

Comfort, price, and location are unbeatable, plus the kitchenettes help you save money on meals.

Pros & Cons

Pros

On-site bar and café
Free high-speed Wi-Fi
Close proximity to dozens of local attractions

Cons

No pool

The State Plaza is a perfect choice for those looking for a comfortable and affordable base of operations. Spacious rooms give you a place to unwind and full meals can be prepared in the kitchenette. A Foggy Bottom location means proximity to the waterfront, downtown, and the George Washington University campus—the best of DC’s free things to do. And with a bar on-site and a cafe, there are a few things to do right on the premises.

Notable Amenities

Breakfast available
Fitness center
Kitchenettes

Best for Families : Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown

See Rates on Kayak.com

Why We Chose It

The top-notch location offers an excellent value.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Indoor pool
Hilton reliability
Steps from DC’s biggest attractions

Cons

Only some rooms are pet-friendly

The Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown gives travelers everything they need just steps from the White House and the National Mall. With its proximity to the Mall’s free museums, guests can have a fulfilling yet affordable vacation. Customer service routinely gets positive reviews, and a pool and an onsite restaurant gives you the option to stay in after a long day of exploring.

Notable Amenities

Indoor pool and fitness center
Bikes available for guest use
Free high-speed Wi-Fi

Best Pool : The Washington Plaza

See Rates on Kayak.com

Why We Chose It

The hotel offers a variety of services, from dining options to bars and a fitness center, plus a unique outdoor pool makes this a great choice during the summer.

Pros & Cons

Pros

On-site bar and restaurant
Notable outdoor pool

Cons

Pets not allowed

It’s like someone dropped a private outdoor pool right in the middle of the city. Right at ground level, near Embassy Row, sits the Washington Plaza Pool, and it’s reason enough to choose the hotel for your stay. But you’ll also find a wide variety of room options, a full restaurant and bar, and an eye-catching facade from Morris Lapidus—the same architect who designed Miami's famed Fontainebleau. While it's not the Plaza, this hotel is an often overlooked choice right in the heart of the city.

Notable Amenities

Outdoor pool and fitness center
Free high-speed Wi-Fi

Best for Singles : Moxy Washington, DC Downtown

See Rates on Kayak.com

Why We Chose It

This Marriott property gives you brand reliability with an energetic feel.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Onsite bar
Close proximity to dozens of local attractions
Pet-friendly

Cons

No pool

The Moxy brand is one of Marriott’s recent efforts to modernize the hotel experience and appeal to younger travelers, with large common areas, smaller rooms (some even have bunk beds), and funky decor. The bar and lounge areas serve as the hotel’s focal points. Check-in? That’s at the bar since there’s no front desk—and socialization is the theme. Its location between downtown and Chinatown means the action is happening just outside the premises as well.

Notable Amenities

Fitness center
Free high-speed Wi-Fi
Convenience store

Best Boutique : The Georgetown House

See Rates on Kayak.com

Why We Chose It

A more cost-effective version of an Airbnb in a top D.C. locale, the price-to-location ratio is too good to pass up.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Charming building
Close proximity to dozens of local attractions
Homey vibe

Cons

Housekeeping service only after a 3-day stay

Why not take some of the money you saved by booking this affordable inn and spend it shopping in the city’s best retail neighborhood? Set on the C&O Canal in Georgetown, this 11-room inn is almost like booking an Airbnb. You can expect a private, homelike atmosphere, but be advised that this is not a full-service hotel; it’s a comfortable place to sleep and bathe. But it’s in an unbeatable location for a steal of a price.

Notable Amenities

Self check-in
Complimentary coffee and tea
Free high-speed Wi-Fi

Final Verdict

The number of budget-friendly hotels in Washington, D.C.’s hottest areas is impressive and travelers don’t need to sacrifice location for affordability. Every place on this list is in one of the best areas in DC: downtown, Foggy Bottom, Chinatown. They range from a tiny boutique to massive chains, but they all deliver the same value: Quality hospitality in the center of the nation’s capital, without hidden fees or a wallet-busting price.

Compare the Best Budget DC Hotels

Hotel	Rate	Rooms	WiFi
Hotel Hive Best Overall	$	83	Free
Hampton Inn Washington-Downtown-Convention Center Best Location	$	228	Free
State Plaza Hotel Best for Explorers	$	241	Free
Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown Best for Families	$	300	Free
The Washington Plaza Best Pool	$	340	Free
Moxy Washington, DC Downtown Best for Singles	$	200	Free
The Georgetown House Best Boutique	$	11	Free

How We Chose These Hotels

We evaluated nearly two dozen Washington. D.C. hotels, combed through reviews, and considered a number of elements before selecting the best accommodations in each category. We looked at the hotel’s reputation and quality of service, its proximity to major local attractions, notable amenities, dining options, extra fees, and the types of experiences (meals, on-site activities, etc.) available to guests.