The 9 Best Washington, D.C. Hotels with Outdoor Pools in 2020

Best Overall: Kimpton Mason and Rook

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Set on the edge of downtown Washington, the Kimpton Mason and Rook is a low-key yet refined property. The hotel is modern yet feels like an old country cottage, with vintage-style prints hanging on the faux-wood walls and a cozy library with padded couches and a stylish chess set. The seasonal rooftop terrace, with views of the surrounding buildings, streets, and parks, has a swimming pool, a sun deck with reclining chairs and candlelit tables.

The bar provides a full drinks selection and small bites such as burgers, wings and salads. An evening wine hour is a daily social event which acts as a great way to meet other guests. The hotel is also extremely pet-friendly, accepting animals of all sizes and types for no extra charge and providing pet beds and food bowls.

Guests can also request in-room spa services, with traditional, hot stone and aromatherapy massages and body and facial cleanses that use natural ingredients including lavender, spirulina, and eucalyptus.

Best Value: Holiday Inn Washington - Capitol

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Only one block from the National Mall and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, visitors to the city will struggle to find a more conveniently-located value hotel than the Holiday Inn Washington – Capitol. The hotel is particularly attractive to traveling families, with children 18 and under staying for free (if sharing the same room as the parents).

Guest rooms have been recently renovated and come with amenities such as flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers and satellite channels, with video games also available upon request. Children 11 and under also get to eat for free (up to a limit of four per family) at the hotel’s three on-site restaurants. 

The rooftop, which has broad views that encompass the U.S. Capitol building, is home to a seasonal pool and sundeck, a bar dispensing drinks and light fare and an indoor fitness center. Other plusses include a 24-hour business center, a breakfast grab-and-go café with coffee, pastries and sandwiches, self-service laundry machines, a dry-cleaning service, and complimentary Internet throughout the hotel.

Read more reviews of the best budget hotels in Washington, D.C. available to book online.

Best Boutique: The Embassy Row Hotel

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Although unremarkable from the outside, the interior of the Embassy Row Hotel comes to life with an attractive décor that tastefully blends old and new styles. Guest rooms are small but cozy, with an attractive blue color scheme in the leather wall panels and thick carpets. The rooftop terrace has a pool with views of Dupont Circle, and in the evenings, the lounge area and bar is a social spot for guests and locals.

The Underground Playground is a gathering space for adults, where lively conversations and friendly games of table tennis and foosball can be enjoyed. On the lobby level, the Station Kitchen & Cocktails provides meals and drinks for guests, while the Coffeehouse offers hot beverages and breakfast bites until 2 p.m.

The 24-hour Chef’s Pantry sells a variety of snacks to appease hunger pangs at any time. There is a modern fitness center with gym equipment and yoga mats, and a 24-hour business center can assist with computer and printing requirements. The hotel also has a pet-friendly policy.

Take a look at other accommodations with our selection of the best boutique hotels in Washington, D.C.

Best for Families: Omni Shoreham Hotel

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Built in the 1930s, balustraded staircases and crystal chandeliers give the Omni Shoreham Hotel an elegant appearance, but a casual and laid-back vibe makes for a relaxing stay. Upon check-in, young guests are gifted an activity-filled backpack, which includes art supplies, games and a pair of binoculars, and complimentary milk and cookies make them feel welcome on their first night.

In the spacious courtyard, a large heated free-form pool is set amid 11 acres of lawns and gardens and is surrounded by adjacent parklands, with a nearby pool bar supplying snacks and beverages. Robert’s Restaurant, despite the opulent furnishings, provides a family-friendly, all-day dining venue. Children are offered a dedicated menu that comes with coloring pictures and a packet of crayons and a personal Omni Kid’s Crew cup for them to keep.

In terms of location, the hotel overlooks the woodlands and walking trails of the Rock Creek Parkway, which leads directly to the nearby Smithsonian National Zoological Park.

Plan some activities during your trip with our guide to the best Washington, D.C. tours.

Best City View: Kimpton Donovan Hotel

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With a stylish minimalist theme that creates a hip and fashionable vibe, the Kimpton Donovan Hotel is an excellent city-center choice. The hotel highlight is the rooftop terrace, a popular hang-out spot that has expansive views over the surrounding city.

During the day, the terrace is reserved exclusively for guests to enjoy the 20-foot pool, sun loungers, and private cabanas. In the evenings, hotel guests can mingle with the crowds of locals who come to enjoy the lounge and bar, which has small plate dishes such as burgers, tacos and pork ribs, and a selection of beers, wines, and cocktails.

Like other Kimpton hotels, there is also the evening wine hour, the pet-friendly policy that allows guests to bring their animal companions, and a menu of massage and skin therapies to be enjoyed from the privacy of guest rooms.

The hotel also has several custom-designed bicycles for use in exploring the neighborhood. 

Best for Couples: Washington Plaza Hotel

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Set in a central downtown location in a historic building, the Washington Plaza Hotel is a great choice for a sophisticated yet romantic stay. For an extra-special occasion, couples can request the romance package, which upgrades them to a spacious Deluxe Room with chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne waiting for them when they arrive.

After a night’s sleep in the Italian bed linens, gourmet breakfast in bed is delivered to the room, to be enjoyed at leisure thanks to a late 3 p.m. checkout. The hotel courtyard has a seasonal outdoor pool that is surrounded by plenty of padded sun loungers and umbrellas, with a food and drinks service by the poolside bar.

Beverages and snacks such as sliders and buffalo wings can also be enjoyed at the International Bar. The No. 10 Thomas restaurant does an extensive breakfast buffet in the mornings and Western a la carte dining for lunch and dinner, with room service providing in-room dining options.

Best View: InterContinental Washington D.C. - The Wharf

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Set on the banks of the Washington Channel, the InterContinental Washington D.C. - The Wharf has sweeping river views with a tranquil vista that belies its close proximity to the Jefferson Memorial and the National Mall. From the rooftop pool terrace, guests can gaze down upon the yachts sailing along the calm waters and enjoy uninterrupted views of the grasslands, trees and golf links of the East Potomac Park and the mighty Potomac River beyond.

The 12 Stories lounge bar also has generous views through the full-length glass windows and from the alfresco terrace. Guest rooms, furnished in a modern style and with high-tech touch panel controls, have floor-to-ceiling windows, with some rooms opening onto a small unfurnished balcony.

The Kith/Kin restaurant serves an Afro-Caribbean-influenced menu with dishes like king crab curries, spiced lamb sambusas, and jerked chicken. There is also a L’Occitane spa, fitness room and business center.

Best for Extended Stays: One Washington Circle Hotel

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Set in an attractive neighborhood with plenty of cafes and restaurants within walking distance, One Washington Circle Hotel provides a pleasant alternative to the busier hotels downtown. Guest rooms are modern, with plenty of natural light entering through the sliding glass doors leading to a small furnished balcony.

With the Stock the Fridge program, the full kitchens can be packed with selected groceries prior to check-in (great for extended stays). A seasonal outdoor pool, set in a courtyard at the front of the hotel, is a nice place to relax with a cocktail from the bar. The hotel gym and a weekly running group attract active guests, and yoga enthusiasts have unlimited access to the group classes held at the nearby Georgetown Yoga.

The award-winning Circle Bistro restaurant does a limited but delicious breakfast and lunch service with a farm-to-table philosophy, and in the evenings transforms into a casual lounge with a fireplace, selection of beers and wines and a seasonal American menu with burgers, pasta, salads, and other light bites. 

Best for Location: Liaison Washington Capitol Hill

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Just steps away from the Lower Senate Park, guests at Liaison Washington Capitol Hill can take easy walks through quiet grassy parkland to the US Capitol Building and national museums and art galleries. Union Station is also close by, which provides metro access to downtown, Chinatown and other city districts as well as train connections to other cities.

The rooftop terrace is one of the largest in the city, with plenty of room for the sizeable pool, padded sun loungers, day couches, and several private cabanas. Along the edge of the courtyard, wooden planter boxes provide a welcome touch of greenery.

At the award-winning Art and Soul restaurant, the executive chef works closely with local farmers and producers to deliver healthy, farm-to-table dishes based on seasonal flavors. Guests can dine in the tastefully decorated dining room or on an alfresco garden terrace, where an open fire pit offers warmth on chilly evenings.

Need some more help finding what you're looking for? Read through our best Washington, D.C. hotels article.