TripSavvy Inspiration The Best Budget-Friendly Washington, D.C. Hotels Hotel Hive offers the best all-around experience By Chris Abell Chris Abell Senior Commerce Editor Instagram LinkedIn College of the Holy Cross (BA), Dartmouth College (MALS) Chris Abell is the Senior Commerce Editor at TripSavvy. He has worked at travel companies large and small, including Travel + Leisure, where he was Editorial Producer, and walkli, where he was the cofounder and Director of Content. He joined TripSavvy in 2021 and lives in Boston with his family. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 12/15/21 Fact checked by Erin Medlicott Fact checked by Erin Medlicott LinkedIn Twitter New York University Rutgers University Erin Medlicott is a fact checker and researcher with a background in lifestyle and finance. Prior to her work at TripSavvy, she did financial research for the American Express Departures Magazine as well as the Wall Street Journal. She earned a TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. 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 several hundred hotels in the capital mean 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 nearly 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 The Best Budget-Friendly Washington, D.C. Hotels View All The Best Budget-Friendly Washington, D.C. Hotels Hotel Hive Hampton Inn Washington-Downtown-Convention Center State Plaza Hotel Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown The Washington Plaza Moxy Washington, DC Downtown The Georgetown House Final Verdict Compare Hotels Methodology Best Overall : Hotel Hive Hotel Hive See Rates on Tripadvisor.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 barsPet-friendlyBluetooth music speakersFitness center Best Location : Hampton Inn Washington-Downtown-Convention Center Hampton Inn Washington-Downtown-Convention Center See Rates on Tripadvisor.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 poolFree breakfastFree high-speed WiFi Best for Explorers : State Plaza Hotel State Plaza Hotel See Rates on Tripadvisor.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 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 availableFitness centerKitchenettes Best for Families : Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown See Rates on Tripadvisor.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 Pets not allowed 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, onsite restaurant, and room service gives you the option to stay in after a long day of exploring. Notable Amenities Indoor pool and fitness centerBikes available for guest useFree high-speed Wi-Fi Best Pool : The Washington Plaza The Washington Plaza See Rates on Tripadvisor.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 Marcus 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 centerFree high-speed Wi-Fi Best for Singles : Moxy Washington, DC Downtown Moxy Washington, DC Downtown See Rates on Tripadvisor.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 centerFree high-speed Wi-FiConvenience store Best Boutique : The Georgetown House The Georgetown House See Rates on Tripadvisor.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 Blackout curtainsSelf check-inComplimentary coffee and teaFree 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit