Closest hotels to Awesome Con: walking distance picks for attendees

The nearest hotels are under a 5-minute walk, which matters most when you need to get back to your room mid-day to change into a new costume.

Hotel GuideDestinationsAug 30, 2026Dyme
Cosplayers dressed as Princess Peach and Bowser posing at a convention booth with fan art banners in the background

The point of staying close to Awesome Con is the mid-day round trip: back to the room, out of one costume and into the next, and onto the floor again without losing half the afternoon. The five hotels here are the closest bookable options to Walter E. Washington Convention Center for the April 23-25, 2027 show, chosen for proximity first and then for star rating, with at least one mid-range pick in the mix. Walking distance determined the order.

The mid-day round trip at Awesome Con

Walter E. Washington Convention Center is at 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW, filling the blocks between 7th and 9th Streets NW from Mount Vernon Place down to L Street. Every hotel on this list reaches the convention center in five minutes or fewer on foot, along flat city blocks with wide sidewalks.

For Awesome Con attendees in costume, that walk time is the whole game. You can head back to your room between panels, swap outfits, and return without eating into your schedule. The hotels on L Street NW are the closest, putting you at the convention center's south entrance in under two minutes.

What to check before you book a room for Awesome Con

  • Book a suite or a room with a sofa bed if you are sharing with a group. Costume gear takes up floor space, and a second sleeping surface helps.
  • Ask about late check-out when you book. Sunday is the last day of Awesome Con, and a noon or 1 p.m. check-out lets you attend morning programming without rushing.
  • Confirm the hotel has a luggage storage option. If late check-out is not available, you can leave bags at the desk and return to the convention floor.
  • Check whether the hotel has a dedicated elevator bank or a lobby that can handle foot traffic in costume. Larger properties handle this better than boutique hotels with a single lift.
  • The convention center has entrances on more than one side of the block. Check the show's floor plan for the one nearest your first panel rather than defaulting to the main doors.

Five hotels, one to four minutes out

HotelWalk to Awesome ConStar ratingBest for attendeesGuest score
Courtyard by Marriott Washington Downtown/Convention Center1 min (0.07 mi)3 starsReliable mid-range, same building as Residence Inn8.6
Residence Inn by Marriott Washington Downtown/Convention Center1 min (0.07 mi)3 starsSuites with kitchenettes, room for groups9.0
The Eldon Luxury Suites3 min (0.14 mi)3 starsSuite-only property, extra space for costumes and gear8.2
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC3 min (0.14 mi)4 starsLarge rooms, high capacity, connected to convention center8.5
AC Hotel by Marriott Washington DC Convention Center4 min (0.20 mi)4 starsModern rooms, strong gym, walkable to the show floor8.5

On Awesome Con days: making a short walk count

Awesome Con runs Friday through Sunday, and the convention center fills fast on Saturday. Hotels within a block of the L Street entrance, the closest of the downtown DC options, give you the option to skip the bag check line entirely by leaving non-essential items in your room between sessions.

The Marriott Marquis connects to the convention center through an underground walkway, which means you do not have to go outside at all. That matters if you are wearing a costume that does not travel well in April weather. The L Street hotels, the Residence Inn and the Courtyard, share a building at 901 L Street NW and put you at the south entrance in about 90 seconds.

The hotels

Courtyard by Marriott Washington Downtown/Convention Center Courtyard by Marriott Washington Downtown/Convention Center 901 L Street NW 8.62,300 reviews 2 min walk to Mount Vernon Square / 7th St-Convention Center (Green/Yellow)Sharing the building at 901 L Street NW with the Residence Inn, the Courtyard gives Awesome Con attendees the same one-minute walk at a slightly lower price point, with a restaurant on-site for quick meals between sessions. View hotel → Residence Inn by Marriott Washington Downtown/Convention Center Residence Inn by Marriott Washington Downtown/Convention Center 901 L Street NW 9.01,399 reviews 2 min walk to Mount Vernon Square / 7th St-Convention Center (Green/Yellow)At 0.07 miles from the convention center entrance on L Street, this is the closest hotel to Awesome Con on this list, and its suite-style rooms with kitchenettes give groups the extra space they need across a three-day weekend. View hotel → The Eldon Luxury Suites The Eldon Luxury Suites 933 L Street NW 8.21,042 reviews 4 min walk to Mount Vernon Square / 7th St-Convention Center (Green/Yellow)A suite-only property at 933 L Street NW, the Eldon gives Awesome Con attendees dedicated living and sleeping areas in every room, which means costume storage, group prep, and mid-day breaks all happen without anyone sleeping on a pull-out in the main room. View hotel → Marriott Marquis Washington, DC Marriott Marquis Washington, DC 901 Massachusetts Ave NW 8.5449 reviews 4 min walk to Mount Vernon Square / 7th St-Convention Center (Green/Yellow)The Marriott Marquis connects to Walter E. Washington Convention Center through an underground walkway, making it the only hotel on this list where Awesome Con attendees in costume never have to step outside, and its large room inventory handles groups well. View hotel → AC Hotel by Marriott Washington DC Convention Center AC Hotel by Marriott Washington DC Convention Center 601 K Street NW 8.5989 reviews 4 min walk to Mount Vernon Square / 7th St-Convention Center (Green/Yellow)At 601 K Street NW, the AC Hotel is a four-star option within a 4-minute walk of Awesome Con and outside the Marriott Marquis complex, giving attendees a modern, design-forward room at a price point below the Marquis. View hotel →

Frequently asked questions

Where should I stay for Awesome Con if I want the shortest possible walk?

The Residence Inn by Marriott and the Courtyard by Marriott, both at 901 L Street NW, are the closest hotels to Awesome Con. Both are about a 90-second walk from the convention center's south entrance on L Street.

Which hotel is best for Awesome Con attendees who need a room that sleeps more than two people?

The Residence Inn at 901 L Street NW and the Eldon Luxury Suites at 933 L Street NW both offer suite-style rooms with separate living areas. The Residence Inn also has kitchenettes, which helps if your group wants to keep snacks and drinks in the room across a three-day weekend.

Is there a hotel connected directly to the Awesome Con venue?

The Marriott Marquis Washington DC at 901 Massachusetts Ave NW connects to Walter E. Washington Convention Center through an underground walkway. You can move between the hotel and the show floor without going outside, which is useful if you are in costume.

Can I get a late check-out on Sunday for Awesome Con?

Late check-out is not guaranteed at any hotel, but you can request it at booking or at the front desk. The Marriott Marquis and the AC Hotel, as larger branded properties, tend to have more flexibility. If late check-out is not available, ask about leaving bags at the desk so you can go back to the convention floor after checking out.

What is the nearest Metro station to Awesome Con?

Mount Vernon Square/7th St-Convention Center on the Green and Yellow lines is the closest Metro station to Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The station exit is beside the convention center, at 7th and M Streets NW, and all five hotels on this list are within a 4-minute walk of it.

How far ahead should I book a hotel for Awesome Con?

The hotels on L Street NW go first, because they are the ones you can walk back to mid-day in costume. Book as soon as your badge is confirmed if that matters to you. The four-star options a little further out hold availability longer, and what you trade for that is two or three minutes of walking.

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