Hotel Happenings

Just Opened

• 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 108-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.

 

• 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.

 

Coming this Spring

• Sixty DC (April 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 73-room 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. The renovated building was previously home to The Gryphon, a popular bar that shuttered during the pandemic.

 

• 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 will 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.

 

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.

 

• 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 former 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.

 

• 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.

 

Newly Renovated

• Salamander Washington, DC (December 2024)

Middleburg, Virginia-based Salamander Collection, founded by entrepreneur Sheila Johnson, just 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 and a luxury two-story spa followed this 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.

 

• 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.

 

Coming Later in 2025 and Beyond

• Hyatt House Washington, DC – Convention Center (Summer 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 plans a comprehensive property-wide renovation in March 2025, and upon its anticipated completion in June 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 (2025)

In anticipation of its 50th anniversary in 2026, the hotel – less than 1,300 steps from the U.S. Capitol – plans an extensive renovation. The comprehensive project will encompass a complete redesign of all guest rooms, a lavish modernization of the hotel’s expansive conference facilities and an extravagant reconfiguration of the lobby and dining establishments, including Article One - American Grill and Bar.

 

• Moxy Hotel Southwest (2025)

Situated on one of the last development sites between Nationals Park and Audi Field, the 166-key hotel will be part of a mixed-use property with residential, rooftop views and a farmers' market.

 

• CitizenM Georgetown (2025)

Just east of picturesque Key Bridge, along the Georgetown waterfront, the Netherlands-based chain plans to open its third property in DC. A 100-year-old building will be expanded, renovated and converted into a stylish 230-room, seven-story 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.

 

• Avid Downtown (2027)

The first Avid Hotel in DC is expected to open in 2027. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, Avid is a midscale modern-design brand focused on sound sleep, good value and complimentary breakfast.

 

DC Hotels Embrace Cherry Blossom Season and WorldPride 2025

When the cherry blossoms bloom, DC hotels become Instagram-worthy floral havens. The Conrad Washington DC’s decorations center around a cherry blossom art installation by local artist My Ly, while The Waldorf Astoria Washington DC transforms its lobby into an enchanted cherry blossom garden. The property also launches its special cherry blossom afternoon tea, aptly served beneath cherry blossom trees in the lobby.

 

Hotel restaurants also embrace the flavors of cherry blossoms. The Salamander Washington DC unveils its refreshing cherry blossom afternoon tea, while Quadrant, in the Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C., offers a limited time cherry blossom tea. Kimpton Hotel Monaco’s Dirty Habit and Grand Hyatt Washington’s Cure Bar & Bistro feature limited time “Cherry Picks” menus in association with the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Restaurant Association Metroplitan Washington.

 

Hotel rooftop bars are the perfect place to soak in the stunning views and warmer weather. As the days get sunnier, enjoy the fresh air and iconic views at one of 30 new or renovated rooftop experiences since 2020. ART DC at the Arlo is the newest addition to the city, boasting stunning views of the U.S. Capitol. VUE atop the Hotel Washington, Smoke and Mirrors in the AC Hotel Washington, DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard and Ciel Social Club at the AC Hotel Washington, DC Convention Center also offer monumental views. Take in the Potomac River at Top of the Gate above the Watergate Hotel, 12 Stories at the InterContinental Washington, DC – The Wharf, Whiskey Charlie at Canopy by Hilton Washington DC The Wharf, Moonraker at Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf and CUT Above at the Rosewood, to name a few.

 

During WorldPride DC 2025 (May 17-June 8), stay with pride at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, which has created its “Free to Fly” suite with vibrant and whimsical florals, butterflies and décor designed by a local artist to represent love, inclusivity and transformation. The historic Willard InterContinental’s Pride package includes daily breakfast for two and access to a dedicated WorldPride concierge to help navigate the parades and parties. Hotel AKA Washington Circle, Moxy Washington DC, Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, Hotel Nell Union Market and Washington Marriott Capitol Hill are among the many hotels welcoming guests with special packages, including complimentary drinks and themed gifts. View more here, with additional discounted rates available here.

 

 

photo credit - The Canal House Georgetown

photo credit - The Arlo