5 Newly Opened Hotels in Washington, D.C. for an Authentic Local Experience

Despite the restrictions on leisure travel, a surprising wave of new hotels emerged in Washington, D.C. during that period. With the usual influx of visitors and business travelers halted, many hotels reimagined their purpose within the city. They took initiative by inviting locals into their spaces, supporting small businesses, and creating events that engaged both residents and visitors. In the lounges, eateries, and bars of these five D.C. hotels, you're just as likely to share a table with a local as with another traveler. After all, what better way to discover a city than through its residents?

Hotel Zena

A recent addition to Viceroy Hotels' Urban Retreats Collection, the female-centric Hotel Zena emerged from the remnants of two previous establishments, a Holiday Inn and Donovan House. This hotel goes beyond simply naming cocktails after suffragettes or printing feminist slogans on keycards: its chic interior was designed by a woman-owned firm, and its walls and ceilings are adorned with vibrant, thought-provoking art created by and representing women. Notably, the hotel is managed by a woman, which remains a rarity in the hospitality industry. The playful art celebrates women's achievements (including a pointillist mural of Ruth Bader Ginsburg made from tampons!), while the curved forms and soft color scheme honor femininity.

The hotel also embodies the female spirit of activism and care through its ongoing collaboration with N Street Village, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting D.C. women facing homelessness with services like housing and medical assistance. Hotel Zena has a fun side as well, hosting weekly speed-dating events at the Figleaf Bar & Lounge and meditation sessions led by local wellness expert, Faith Hunter.

Thompson Washington DC

The newly established Thompson property, which debuted in early 2020, seamlessly integrates into the Navy Yard, a historic neighborhood undergoing revitalization. Located just a stone's throw from Nationals Park baseball stadium, the hotel offers stunning views of both the Anacostia River and the city skyline. The interior design reflects the area’s maritime heritage with crisp navy tones and nautical curves throughout, while also showcasing the industrial character of the locale with high ceilings and large metal-framed windows in both guest rooms and common areas.

On the ground floor, NYC restaurateur Danny Meyer has launched Maialino Mare, a seafood-focused trattoria, attracting local food enthusiasts from Navy Yard’s excellent dining options. The menu features Chesapeake Bay oysters, crabs, and fresh fish. A rooftop deck has become almost obligatory in the capital, and the Thompson’s Anchovy Social offers an expansive 6,000 square feet of wraparound views of the city, with both indoor and outdoor seating. As part of its Culture Lives Here initiative, the hotel is collaborating with D.C. fashion entrepreneur Aaron Crist, owner of Hyde Closet, to create a pop-up experience. Hyde Closet's website provides a customized weekly subscription rental box featuring men's fashion (and cologne!) curated from local designers and retailers, akin to a Rent the Runway service for menswear.

Yours Truly

If the team at Yours Truly appears exceptionally dedicated and cheerful, it's because they were retained from the former Wink Hotel, which closed for renovations in early 2020, and their input was valued in the hotel's transformation. Another appealing aspect of the hotel comes from its inception: the design firm was tasked with creating a public space that felt like a community hub as well as a hotel, and indeed, the boho, brutalist lobby has become a favorite spot for locals. Plus, the music that fills the hotel originates from the turntable at Uncle Tony’s Donut Shop, a new and vintage vinyl store next to the lobby, while Mercy Me, the hotel's South American-themed café and bar, is a venture by the talented duo Daniela Moreira and Andrew Dana, known for D.C.'s Call Your Mother deli and Timber Pizza.

The lobby and guest rooms showcase a brutalist, ’70s bohemian style, featuring warm burnt orange, gold, and brown hues along with mellow vintage Persian rugs laid over sleek concrete floors, evoking Dupont Circle’s history as a center of counterculture. This independently owned hotel with 355 rooms offers discounts at local boutiques, bakeries, and galleries, as well as at the onsite Groom Guy, a men’s grooming service that began as a pop-up during COVID, providing haircuts in the hotel lobby. It's easier to immerse yourself in the local vibe when you're surrounded by residents, sipping a tropical drink or enjoying a breakfast taco.

Kimpton Banneker Hotel

Benjamin Banneker, an influential 18th-century African American freeman, played a crucial role in surveying and designing D.C., including outlining the district’s meridian that modern-day 16th Street follows. A remarkable self-taught scholar, inventor, and astronomer, Banneker engaged in correspondence with figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. This new hotel, perfectly located on 16th Street, pays tribute to his significant contributions to the city. The hotel radiates an urban and sophisticated vibe, featuring a color scheme of black, brown, white, and dark blue crafted by Toronto’s Mason Studio, which serves as a stunning backdrop for the bold, predominantly abstract artwork displayed throughout the property. The art collection showcases both local and international talents. The hotel collaborates with the nonprofit Black Artists of DC to present a rotating exhibition of works by local artists of color, including a striking lobby mural by Nigerian-American artist Victor Ekpuk from D.C.

The rooftop bar, named Lady Bird in honor of the former First Lady, features subtle decor that pays homage to the city’s official bird, the wood thrush, achieving a delightful double nod. It has quickly become a favorite spot for D.C. locals, offering a U-shaped bar that fosters a warm, social atmosphere to help ease the effects of social distancing.

Riggs Washington DC

The remarkable transformation of the historic Riggs National Bank into a hotel is nothing short of miraculous. This new establishment honors the grandeur of the Romanesque revival architecture while avoiding the potential coldness of its marble surfaces. The iconic building retains classic bank features such as coffered and barrel-vaulted ceilings, modified teller windows at the front desk, and formal conference rooms, yet infuses a sense of whimsy: vibrant floral arrangements add color, plush seating and theatrical curtains introduce texture, and the cheerful sounds of clinking silverware and laughter from the all-day Cafe Riggs disrupt the formerly solemn atmosphere. The café, boasting a diverse and intriguing menu crafted by Chef Patrick Curran, a Momofuku alum, has become a beloved gathering place, serving everything from morning acai bowls and cardamom buns to late-night steak frites.

The bank’s former vault has been transformed into the stunning cocktail bar Silver Lyan, celebrated for its unique ingredients and meticulous preparations. (The Project Apollo, a gin sour, features freeze-dried pineapple, the first fruit ever sent into space on the Apollo missions.) Upstairs, guest rooms are adorned with stylish soft furnishings by Voutsa. Four suites, each named after a first lady, showcase decor that reflects their personal interests. For example, the suite honoring music enthusiast Louisa Adams includes a baby grand piano, while the rooms dedicated to Ida McKinley are filled with a whimsical array of floral-print fabrics. The contrasting elements at Riggs—where softness meets hardness, beauty meets austerity, and coolness meets warmth—mirror a city caught between heartfelt public service and icy ambition.