Hotel Happenings

Newly Opened Hotels

• Sixty DC (June 2025)

The boutique hotel brand, with locations in Beverly Hills, California and New York’s Lower East Side, makes its DC debut on Connecticut Avenue near Dupont Circle. The luxury hotel will boast two trendy food and beverage concepts: Casamara, serving coastal Mediterranean, and Reynold’s, a cocktail bar whose name is a nod to Alexander Hamilton’s affair.

 

• Mint House Downtown Washington, DC (May 2025)

An 11-story former office building near McPherson Square has been converted into a hotel offering 85 high-end apartment-style suites, ranging from studios to two-bedrooms, complete with full kitchens and spacious living areas. Guests have access to an on-site fitness center, dedicated meeting space, a coworking lounge and grab and go station. There will also be an onsite restaurant and bar open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner headed by a local DC restaurateur.

 

• Canal House of Georgetown, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel (March 2025)

Taking inspiration from the iconic Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, a five-story former office building has been combined with adjacent townhouses to create a 107-key property under Marriott’s Tribute portfolio. Located in the heart of charming Georgetown, amenities include the lobby’s C+O Lounge, a private courtyard, library lounge, fitness center and two two-bedroom rowhouses.

 

• Arlo Washington, DC (November 2024)

Arlo Hotels debuted its seventh hotel and first in Washington, DC near Judiciary Square. The 12-story, 445-room hotel incorporates and preserves the city’s oldest conventional apartment building, the Harrison, which has stood since 1882. Arlo Washington, DC boasts a rooftop pool and year-round rooftop lounge, ART DC, with stunning views of the U.S. Capitol. Arrels, a Spanish farmhouse restaurant and bar helmed by award-winning DC chef Pepe Moncayo, is located adjacent to the lobby.

 

Newly Rebranded

• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Washington, DC / NY Avenue (January 2025)

Following a full renovation, the former Quality Inn & Suites features complimentary hot breakfast buffet, a 24-hour hot beverage bar, fitness center, business center and free wireless internet access.

 

• Salamander Washington, DC (December 2024)

Middleburg, Virginia-based Salamander Collection, founded by entrepreneur Sheila Johnson, unveiled buzzworthy enhancements to the former 373-key Mandarin Oriental. The project reveals a brighter and more residential design. The lobby and its stunning bar, pool and modernly refreshed guest suites designed by Washington’s Thomas Pheasant were completed by late summer 2024 and a luxury two-story spa followed over the winter. Celebrity chef Kwame Onwuachi’s highly anticipated return to the nation’s capital, Dōgon, opened Sept. 9, 2024, to national acclaim. The restaurant is inspired by DC surveyor Benjamin Banneker and his heritage to the West African Dogon tribe.

 

• Grand Hyatt Washington (Fall 2024)

The 902-key hotel unveiled fully renovated guest rooms and suites. The rooms boast a light and airy feel with neutral tones and a stunning feature wall inspired by the Capitol building's dome and cherry blossom flowers. In conjunction with its renovation, Grand Hyatt Washington has proudly achieved LEED certification for the guest rooms. The property, adjacent to CityCenterDC, is a few blocks from Capital One Arena and the National Mall.

 

• Reside Navy Yard and Reside NoMa, a Wyndham Residence (Fall 2024)

Wyndham plants its extended-stay Residence brand at a pair of sites formerly under the Placemakr flag. Unwind in fully furnished studios, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments, each boasting a washer/dryer, full kitchen, flat-screen TV with streaming capability, sitting area and plush bedding.

 

• Le Méridien Washington, D.C., The Madison (September 2024)

Steps from the White House and energy of Logan Circle, the boutique Madison Hotel joined the Marriott portfolio, rebranded as Le Méridien Washington, D.C., The Madison. The property underwent an expansive $15 million renovation of the lobby, communal spaces and guestrooms to reflect the Golden Age of travel. Lady Madison, the hotel’s signature restaurant and cocktail lounge, features a revamped menu inspired by French cuisine and local flavor.

 

• The Quincy Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection (September 2024)

The form

er Sonder the Quincy rebranded under Choice Hotels’ Ascend Hotel Collection, marking the first Ascend property in the DC market. The 99-key property, within walking distance of The White House, Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, reopened following renovations to the lobby, guest rooms and meeting space.

 

• Residence Inn Washington, DC Downtown (September 2024)

Located in a historic building, the hotel completed a full renovation of its 202 suites and public spaces. Amenities include fully equipped kitchens, spacious living areas, a complimentary daily breakfast buffet, 24-hour fitness center and meeting rooms.

 

• Washington Marriott at Metro Center (June 2024)

The centrally located hotel completed a multimillion-dollar renovation with elevated amenities, including updated guest rooms, technology-enabled work surfaces, a state-of-the-art fitness center with Peloton equipment, refreshed indoor pool area and modernized 24/7 M Club. The city's political lore is woven throughout the identity of Spotted Zebra, from whimsical political and historical quotes that grace bar coasters to names of signature dishes and drinks.

 

• Westin Georgetown, Washington, DC (June 2024)

Situated near historic Georgetown, the transformed hotel unveiled a multimillion-dollar renovation, offering a refined blend of well-being experiences and timeless design. The 269-room property captures the brand’s pillars of well-being, including curated culinary options, the signature Heavenly bed and WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio with Peloton bikes.

 

• Placemakr (Summer 2024)

A curated line of apartment-hotel properties, Placemakr has expanded its presence in the nation’s capital. Their signature, flexible, tech-forward experience caters to nightly, short and long-term stays, as well as business, group and extended-stay travelers. New locations include Coda on Half in the Navy Yard, adding to their existing portfolio across the city, including Dupont Circle.

 

• Hotel AKA Washington Circle (May 2024)

Located across from the Foggy Bottom Metro station, steps from The George Washington University campus, the former One Washington Circle Hotel reopened as a newly transformed boutique hotel. The 151-room contemporary property features newly designed guestrooms and suites perfect for both short and long-term stays, many with terraces and a full kitchen or kitchenette. Amenities include a welcoming lobby lounge, Technogym fitness center, private cinema and a new restaurant from James Beard Award winner Ellen Yin, a.kitchen+bar.

 

• Hotel Nell – Union Market (May 2024)

A 106-room boutique hotel in the heart of the bustling Union Market area relaunched with new branding and new spaces. The name honors the former owner of the Bolgiano Seed Company, which provided lawn seeds for The White House and National Mall from this site in the mid-1900s. Today, the design-centric hotel showcases a foliage-rich industrial charm. The reception, expansive lobby and Treehouse Rooftop lounge provide warm and welcoming communal spaces that capture the essence and authenticity of the burgeoning neighborhood.

 

Still to Come in 2025

• Hyatt House Washington, DC – Convention Center (August 2025)

The former Cambria in Shaw, adjacent to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, has been reflagged under the Hyatt portfolio. The 182-key hotel began a comprehensive property-wide renovation in spring 2025, and upon its anticipated completion in August 2025, it will convert to the Hyatt House brand. Amenities include a fitness center, bar and lounge, meeting rooms and rooftop terrace with stunning views.

 

• Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (Fall 2025)

In anticipation of its 50th anniversary in 2026, the hotel – less than 1,300 steps from the U.S. Capitol – is undergoing a full-property transformation. The comprehensive project will encompass a complete redesign of all guest rooms, with approximately 200 now available. The fully renovated fitness center and indoor pool are also open. An extravagant reconfiguration of the lobby and dining establishments, including Article One - American Grill and Bar, is underway, and a lavish modernization of the hotel’s expansive conference facilities began in May. The full renovation is expected to be complete by fall 2025.

 

Coming in 2026 and Beyond

• CitizenM Georgetown (2026)

Just east of picturesque Key Bridge, along the Georgetown waterfront, CitizenM, newly acquired by Marriott, plans to open its third property in DC. The facade will be preserved as a 100-year-old building is expanded, renovated and converted into a stylish 230-room hotel.

 

• The James (2026) 
From Royal Sonesta comes a high-end lifestyle option in top urban and resort destination markets. The James DC, a brand conversion from the current Royal Sonesta Dupont Circle, will be one of three properties nationwide under this flag. The James brand caters to both visitors and local guests, offering a unique experience and destination-worthy beverage and food. 

 

• The Georgetown University Hotel in the Leavey Center (Summer 2026)

In collaboration with Crestline Hotels and Resorts, the new manager of the hotel, the university will weave iconic Georgetown elements to reestablish the facility as a modern hotel. The five-story property will feature 146 modern guest rooms, 13,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a transformed restaurant and bar, and an open-concept lobby with natural lighting from floor-to-ceiling windows. Construction will begin this fall.

 

• MOB Hotel (2027)

A stylish Paris-based chain by design team lead Philippe Starck is expected to open its first North American hotel in DC’s Union Market area. The brand embraces neighborhood culture and programs, art talks and regular concerts in its lobbies. The hotel will feature 144 rooms, an organic restaurant and show kitchen, library, seminar rooms, live music and a rooftop with awe-inspiring views of the U.S. Capitol.

 

• The Bazaar House by José Andrés (2027)

Chef José Andrés is making his first foray into branded hotels with a new project in his adopted home city. The 67-room luxury hotel, to be developed on the site of the former Latham Hotel on M Street in Georgetown, will feature a private membership club, multiple food and beverage concepts curated by the celebrity chef's restaurant group, events space, a wellness center and high-end retail offerings.
 

• Moxy Hotel Southwest (2027)

Situated on one of the last development sites between Nationals Park and Audi Field, the 182-key hotel will be part of a mixed-use property with residential, rooftop views and a street level market and café.

 

Rooftop and Patio Season at DC Hotels

For monumental views from above, take the elevator to one of DC’s 30+ new or renovated rooftop experiences since 2020. Underscoring the notion “There’s Only One DC,” the city’s height restrictions ensure each establishment boasts an iconic backdrop. Many of these trendy rooftops are atop the city’s most stylish hotels.

 

Marcus Samuelsson’s Sly at the Morrow Hotel, ART DC at the Arlo DC, Ciel Social Club’s second location at the Washington Marriott Capitol Hill and Sixty DC’s new rooftop space (opening this summer) are among the newest additions.

 

For sweeping monumental views and signature cocktails, head to VUE in the Hotel Washington, overlooking the White House and Washington Monument. The YOTEL’s Deck 11, Conrad’s Summit and AC Hotel Washington, DC Capitol Hill’s Smoke and Mirrors overlook the awe-inspiring Capitol dome.

 

For elegant waterfront views, the Pendry’s Moonraker is a stunner, complete with a Japanese-inspired menu. Nearby options include Whiskey Charlie atop the Canopy by Hilton Washington, DC-The Wharf and 12 Stories atop the InterContinental Washington, DC-The Wharf. The Potomac River is also in view from the Graham Rooftop and Rosewood’s CUT Above in Georgetown, and Top of the Gate at the Watergate Hotel.

 

In NoMa, Treehouse Rooftop tops the Hotel Nell-Union Market – an homage to the building’s history as a seed factory. At Sushi by Bou, located atop the CitizenM Washington DC Capitol Hill, experience the lively, intimate spirit of the underground disco era while enjoying its signature, high-quality omakase menu. Lucha Rosa in the Moxy Hotel has a collection of over 130 bottles of tequila and menu offerings include tacos and ceviche.

 

Summer also offers the perfect time to appreciate the beautifully decorated patios of DC’s most charming hotels. The Hotel Monaco’s Dirty Habit, known locally for its winter chalets, offers a seasonal summer pop-up: Riviera. An alfresco lunch at Café du Parc outside the historic Willard InterContinental and the sunken garden at Park Hyatt’s chic Blue Duck Tavern are local treats. From its signature black and white chairs, take in views of Lafayette Square from French brasserie Opaline at the Sofitel.

 

 

photo credit - The Canal House Georgetown