Foggy Bottom occupies the northwest corner of DC between the Potomac River and Washington Circle, drawing State Department staff, George Washington University visitors, and Kennedy Center patrons. The five hotels below were chosen from properties physically inside the neighborhood, with priority given to higher star ratings.
How we selected these hotels
Every hotel on this page has a street address inside Foggy Bottom, not in adjacent Georgetown or Dupont Circle. The list covers at least one mid-range option and at least one upscale property, so it works for a GWU family weekend and a State Department business trip alike. Hotels with verified sustainability programs appear before those without one at the same star level. Guest scores from the inventory we work with served as the secondary sort within each tier.
Foggy Bottom hotels at a glance
| Hotel | Stars | Guest score | Nearest Metro (walk) | Sustainability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Watergate Hotel | 5 | 8.6 | Foggy Bottom-GWU, 9 min | None verified |
| The River Inn | 4 | 9.4 | Foggy Bottom-GWU, 6 min | None verified |
| One Washington Circle DC, Tapestry Collection by Hilton | 4 | 9.4 | Foggy Bottom-GWU, 4 min | None verified |
| Residence Inn Washington, DC Foggy Bottom | 3 | 8.6 | Foggy Bottom-GWU, 3 min | None verified |
| Hotel Hive | 3 | 9.8 | Foggy Bottom-GWU, 7 min | None verified |
Getting around Foggy Bottom
- The Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station at 23rd Street NW and I Street NW serves the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines, putting you at Farragut West in two stops and Reagan National Airport in about 25 minutes.
- The Kennedy Center runs a free shuttle from the Foggy Bottom-GWU station entrance every 15 minutes on performance nights, so you do not need a car or rideshare for evening shows.
- Parking in Foggy Bottom is metered and scarce on weekdays. If you drive, ask the hotel about on-site or nearby garage options before you arrive.
Who stays in Foggy Bottom
George Washington University is at the center of the neighborhood, so the hotels here fill with families during move-in weekends and graduation, plus academics attending GWU conferences year-round. The State Department is four blocks south of Washington Circle, which brings a steady flow of government contractors and foreign-service visitors who need reliable business amenities. The Kennedy Center draws performing-arts audiences from across the region, and several hotels on this list are under a 15-minute walk from the concert hall entrance on New Hampshire Avenue.
The hotels
The Watergate Hotel
2650 Virginia Ave NW
8.6278 reviews
9 min walk to Foggy Bottom-GWU (Blue/Orange/Silver)The Watergate Hotel is the only five-star property with a street address inside Foggy Bottom, satisfying the upscale segment requirement, and its position on Virginia Avenue NW places guests within a 9-minute walk of the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station and a 5-minute walk of the Kennedy Center.
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The River Inn
924 25th St NW
9.43,316 reviews
6 min walk to Foggy Bottom-GWU (Blue/Orange/Silver)Among four-star hotels physically inside Foggy Bottom, The River Inn carries a guest score of 9.4, the highest in its tier, and its all-suite format makes it a practical choice for extended-stay visitors to GWU or the State Department.
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One Washington Circle DC, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
1 Washington Circle NW
9.4542 reviews
4 min walk to Foggy Bottom-GWU (Blue/Orange/Silver)Sitting at Washington Circle NW, the geographic center of the neighborhood, this four-star Tapestry Collection property matches The River Inn's 9.4 guest score and offers the shortest walk to the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station of any hotel on this list at 4 minutes.
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Residence Inn Washington, DC Foggy Bottom
801 New Hampshire Ave NW
8.6266 reviews
3 min walk to Foggy Bottom-GWU (Blue/Orange/Silver)The Residence Inn on New Hampshire Avenue NW fills the mid-range segment requirement with in-room kitchenettes suited to longer GWU or government-contract stays, and its 3-minute walk to the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station is the closest of any hotel on this list.
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Hotel Hive
2224 F Street NW
9.83,136 reviews
7 min walk to Foggy Bottom-GWU (Blue/Orange/Silver)Hotel Hive earns the highest guest score on this list at 9.8, and its position on F Street NW puts it one block from the GWU campus, making it the strongest mid-range pick for university visitors who want a well-reviewed, compact property inside Foggy Bottom.
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Frequently asked questions
Which Metro station serves Foggy Bottom hotels?＋
The Foggy Bottom-GWU station at 23rd Street NW and I Street NW is the primary stop for this neighborhood. It is on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. Walk times from the hotels on this list range from 3 to 9 minutes.
Are any of these hotels within walking distance of the Kennedy Center?＋
The Watergate Hotel is the closest at roughly a 5-minute walk from the Kennedy Center entrance on New Hampshire Avenue NW. The River Inn and One Washington Circle DC are each about 10 to 12 minutes on foot. The Kennedy Center also runs a free shuttle from the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station on performance nights.
Which hotel works best for a George Washington University visit?＋
Hotel Hive on F Street NW is one block from the GWU campus and carries the highest guest score on this list. The Residence Inn on New Hampshire Avenue NW is a practical alternative for families who want in-room kitchen facilities during a multi-night stay.
Is there a five-star hotel actually inside Foggy Bottom?＋
Yes. The Watergate Hotel at 2650 Virginia Avenue NW is the only five-star property with a street address inside Foggy Bottom. It is on the Potomac River waterfront near the Kennedy Center.
Do any of these hotels offer parking?＋
Street parking in Foggy Bottom is metered and limited on weekdays. The Watergate Hotel has on-site valet parking. Contact the other properties before arrival to confirm garage availability and current rates, as options vary.
What is the difference between Foggy Bottom and Georgetown for hotel location?＋
Foggy Bottom is east of Rock Creek Parkway and is served by the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station. Georgetown is west of the parkway and has no Metro station, so getting around requires a bus, rideshare, or a longer walk. If Metro access matters to your trip, Foggy Bottom is the more practical base.
