Foggy Bottom is in Northwest 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, from mid-morning until midnight, 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, at 2201 C Street NW, is about a 15-minute walk 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 Kennedy Center.
The hotels
The Watergate Hotel
2650 Virginia Ave NW
8.6278 reviews
9 min walk to Foggy Bottom-GWU (Blue/Orange/Silver)The only five-star hotel with a Foggy Bottom street address, on Virginia Avenue NW, 5 minutes on foot from the Kennedy Center and 9 from the Metro.
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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)All suites, which helps on a longer GWU or State Department stay, and a 9.4 guest score, tied for the best among the neighborhood's four-star hotels.
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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)At Washington Circle NW, in the middle of the neighborhood: a four-star Tapestry Collection hotel with a 9.4 guest score, 4 minutes from the Metro.
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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)In-room kitchenettes for a longer GWU or government-contract stay, on New Hampshire Avenue NW, and the shortest walk to the Metro on this list: 3 minutes.
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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 has the best guest score on this list, 9.8, and it's on F Street NW, one block from the GWU campus. A compact, mid-range pick for university visits.
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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. 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 every 15 minutes.
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. For the others, call ahead to check garage availability and current rates.
What is the difference between Foggy Bottom and Georgetown for hotel location?＋
Foggy Bottom is east of Rock Creek Parkway and has its own Metro stop, Foggy Bottom-GWU. 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.
