Dinogo Readers' Top 10 Hotels in Washington, D.C. for 2023

The District of Columbia is famous for its abundance of museums (many of which are free), iconic landmarks, and beautiful seasonal cherry blossoms. Recently, the new waterfront shopping and dining hub, The Wharf, has provided travelers with an exciting new reason to visit. No matter their plans in the nation’s capital, Dinogo readers have a variety of accommodation options, ranging from historic grand hotels to trendy newcomers.

Understanding the Voting Process

Annually, in our World's Best Awards survey, T+L invites readers to share their insights on travel experiences worldwide — offering their views on the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. In 2023, nearly 165,000 T+L readers participated in the survey, a nearly 25 percent increase compared to pre-pandemic voting levels. Over 685,000 votes were cast across more than 8,500 distinct properties (including hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were categorized as either resort hotels, city hotels, or safari lodges based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically evaluated based on the criteria listed below:

Rooms/amenities
Location
Service quality
Cuisine
Value for money

For each attribute, participants could select a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The overall scores are derived from the average of these ratings.

What Readers Appreciated

In the ranking of the finest hotels in Washington, D.C., established luxury names like Rosewood and Waldorf Astoria made the list alongside smaller independent hotels that discreetly host politicians and diplomats. Among these boutique winners is The Hay-Adams (No. 3), a nearly century-old landmark positioned directly across from what is arguably the world's most recognized address — 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The Jefferson (No. 2) boasts a prime location near Dupont Circle and the National Mall. T+L readers commended its meticulous attention to detail: “They considered everything, even providing velvet stools for ladies’ handbags,” remarked one WBA voter. Yet, this level of care doesn't veer into pretentiousness, as another reader noted the hotel “feels like home — cozy and inviting, yet elegantly appointed!”

A standout feature of the Conrad Washington D.C. (No. 7) is its remarkable service. “The staff consistently go above and beyond,” shared one reader.

For the second consecutive year, the relatively new Riggs Washington D.C. was selected by T+L readers as the top hotel in the capital. Keep reading to discover why it secured the top position — and to explore the complete list.

The Champion

Riggs Washington D.C.

Image courtesy of Riggs Washington D.C.

This hotel, which opened its doors in 2021 within a historic bank building from 1891, is situated in the vibrant Penn Quarter, just steps away from the National Portrait Gallery. Among its 181 rooms, four exclusive suites — featuring soaking tubs and even a baby grand piano in one — honor four First Ladies (Louisa Adams, Caroline Harrison, Ida McKinley, and Angelica Van Buren). Every room is adorned with elegant details, including Italian Carrara marble bathrooms and striking, jewel-toned fabrics. As one reader noted, it is “the chicest, most stunning hotel in D.C., something the city has long desired.” The hotel's drink offerings are also receiving acclaim, with Silver Lyan, crafted by celebrity mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardana, dubbed “the best cocktail experience I’ve had in years” by a guest.