Mid-Priced Hotels in Washington, DC

Hotel room prices are notoriously variable in our Nation's Capital. Whether due to the annual Cherry Blossom Festival or a large national convention of, say, ophthamologists, you may pay $250 per night for a room in January that may go for $500 in April.

I have lived in the District of Columbia full-time for more than six years, and have viewed quite a few hotel properties not through my trysts with Eliot Spitzer (more on that later-kidding!), but through the hotel stays of my visiting parents.

Here are a few hotels to consider:

Washington Hilton & Towers

Quite nice for a Hilton and deserving of a better rating than the 3 stars I have seen it receive on a travel review web site or two. Known as the "Hinckley Hilton" due to the would-be presidential assassin's stay just prior to the attempt on Reagan's life, it's a very large property approximately three blocks north of Dupont Circle.

When staying at this Hilton, it's smart to request a room near the elevator because the hallways go on forever. The hotel has a lovely outdoor pool, however adults will wish to bring earplugs--there will usually be many, many children in it.

The Hilton offers valet or self-park options. The gym is free for Hilton Honors members, and the hotel has a gift shop, jewelry store, sports bar, lobby lounge and casual dining restaurant with a decent breakfast buffet.

The Churchill

A quaint, small hotel located directly across Connecticut Avenue from the Washington Hilton and Towers. Rooms are generally spacious and show signs of being recently renovated. Offers fewer amenities than the Hilton, but perhaps more personal service. The hotel does feature a bar and restaurant on site. Valet parking or on-street parking (which is very difficult in this neighborhood).

If The Churchill strikes your fancy, but has no vacancy, try the Melrose Hotel, near Foggy Bottom, which has a very similar style.

Omni Shoreham

This truly enormous hotel is another that frequently plays host to large scale events such as Presidential Inaugural Balls and major conventions. Still, the property, while not as upscale as a Ritz, has a certain old-World je ne se quoi that my parents and I enjoyed. The grounds are gorgeous and worth walking, and the pool is worth checking out. Rooms are rather traditional; be sure to ask for one that has been recently renovated and near the elevator.

Hotel Palomar

While I have not seen the rooms at this Hotel Palomar, I have stayed at its sister property in San Francisco, both Kimpton-owned, twice and been quite impressed. I have also dined at Urbana, the DC Hotel Palomar's stylish bar and restaurant, many times.

Like other Kimpton properties, these hotels tend to have trendier vibes with colorful rooms.

Tip: In order to find a nice, clean, safe hotel room, a traveler generally needs to do some research. However when visiting DC, there's a great little trick which will often find you a good hotel room at a "reasonable" price. Priceline.com works with a very limited number of hotels in the Dupont Circle/Woodley Park area, a centrally-located area for visitors to stay. By narrowing your search on their site to that neighborhood, three stars or better and naming a price that makes sense at the time of year (cross reference sites like Hotels.com and Expedia.com to gather the going rate), you have a good chance of getting a room that meets your needs.

4 Star

Omni Shoreham

Westin Embassy Row

Hotel Palomar

3 Star

Marriott Wardman Park

The Churchill

Hilton Embassy Row

Washington Hilton & Towers