It's no secret that there are plenty of great hotels in D.C. to rest one's head. Clearly Condé Nast Traveler agrees because the magazine named five Washington, D.C. hotels to its list of the 50 best hotels in the world as part of its 2024 Readers' Choice Awards. The District is the U.S. city most represented on this year's list.
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The five D.C. hotels on the list span neighborhoods—Logan Circle, The Wharf, Georgetown, West End and Downtown. The awards, which reflect the results of surveying 575,048 of the magazine's readers, cover categories that include best hotels, cruise lines, cities, resorts, spas, airlines/airports, luggage, trains and countries. The hotel category has a list of the best hotels and the world and individual lists of the best hotels in major U.S. cities.
To pick the winners, the magazine asked readers about features including quality of the rooms, design, food and immersive experiences. Here are the hotels in Washington, D.C. spotlighted in Condé Nast Traveler's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards:
Viceroy Washington, D.C.—#6 hotel in the world
The magazine's readers dubbed this Downtown hotel the sixth best in the world. Readers specifically liked Viceroy's residential vibe—no wonder, because it's located in building that used to be apartments.
"The vibe is decidedly distinguished, like the digs of a funky but well-polished beau: Walk in to the lobby, and you’re hit with a full-frontal bookshelf, set against an inlaid wood wall and accompanied by soft, sturdy woolen armchairs, perfect for reading the Sunday paper," the magazine's blurb reads. Viceroy is making a repeat appearance on this list; readers voted it among the best hotels in 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2023, as well.
Hotel Zena—#10 hotel in the world
The theme at this Logan Circle abode, which cracked the top ten, is the "future is female." The magazine's readers particularly like how this theme carries throughout the property and is visible in the art that adorns the hotel's exterior (giant murals of women warriors), restaurant and lobby. Hotel Zena also appeared on the list in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
"Aside from the soft glow of pink lighting above the headboard, the 191 rooms are decorated in creamy tones and furniture with clean lines," the magazine's editors write. "Translucent, pod-like showers are decorated with murals of the Greek goddess Artemis."
Fairmont Washington D.C., Washington, D.C.—#29 hotel in the world
This is the first year the Fairmont's D.C. location has appeared in CNT's awards. The hotel's 415 rooms and suites received a major refresh in 2016 as part of a $27 million renovation, and clearly it's resonated with the magazine's readers. "They're now sleek and sophisticated, anchored by eggplant-hued couches and tufted, cream-colored headboards," the blurb reads. The readers also liked the hotel's impressive pool, views and lobby bar.
InterContinental Washington, D.C. The Wharf, Washington, D.C.—#40 hotel in the world
Making its fourth appearance on this yearly list, this massive hotel is a centerpiece of The Wharf, the waterfront neighborhood and development that's transformed Southwest D.C. Readers liked the views of the Potomac River and spacious, well-decorated rooms. "Little touches like orchids in each room, spa-style shower heads, and large executive work desks make rooms sumptuous getaways for harried travelers," CNT's editors write.
The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C.—#43 hotel in the world
Seven of the Ritz-Carlton properties appear on the list this year (the chain's Doha and Tokyo hotels took the second and fifth spots, respectively), and its D.C. location was named 43rd best hotel in the world. Readers dig the mix of industrial and modern vibes at this location, which is situated at the foot of the most popular neighborhood for tourists. Readers shouted out the hotel's warm-hued, cozy interior and views of Georgetown and the Potomac river.