Closest hotels to the Marine Corps Marathon start area near the Pentagon

The Marine Corps Marathon starts near the Pentagon, so the closest rooms are in Arlington, Virginia, rather than the District. Pentagon City and Crystal City both put you within a mile of the start on foot. These five hotels were chosen for walking distance first, then star rating, giving you a mix of mid-range and upscale options that are bookable for the October 25, 2026 race Sunday.

Getting to the Marine Corps Marathon start on race morning

The start area near the Pentagon is on the Arlington side of the Potomac, which works in your favor on race morning. Every hotel on this list is in Crystal City or Pentagon City, both walkable neighborhoods on the Blue and Yellow lines, two stops from the Pentagon station. You can walk Army Navy Drive or Crystal Drive north toward the Pentagon without crossing any bridges, keeping your route straightforward even before dawn.

If you prefer the Metro, Crystal City station is two stops from Pentagon on the Blue or Yellow line, by way of Pentagon City.

Marine Corps Marathon hotels, ranked by walk to the start

Pentagon City and Crystal City on marathon weekend

Pentagon City and Crystal City are the two Arlington neighborhoods closest to the start area, separated from central DC by the Potomac but well connected by Metro, and close to Reagan National if you are flying in. Both neighborhoods have grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants within a few blocks of every hotel on this list, so you can pick up race-day nutrition or a post-race meal without a car. If you are weighing whether to drive at all, our guide to getting around DC without a car covers the trade-offs.

The Fashion Center at Pentagon City, which the Ritz-Carlton opens directly into, has a food court if you need something quick before the race. Crystal City's underground concourse connects several hotels directly to the Metro, which matters if rain is in the forecast.

The hotels

DoubleTree by Hilton Washington DC – Crystal City 300 Army Navy Dr 8.01,723 reviews 5 min walk to Crystal City (Blue/Yellow)At 0.56 miles from the start area near the Pentagon, this is the closest hotel on Army Navy Drive, the road that leads directly toward the Pentagon, making it the shortest walk of any option on this list. View hotel → The Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City 1250 South Hayes Street 9.0333 reviews 3 min walk to Pentagon City (Blue/Yellow)The only five-star property within a mile of the start area, it gives Marine Corps Marathon runners who want full-service amenities, including an indoor pool, sauna and steam room for post-race recovery, the closest upscale option available. View hotel → Embassy Suites by Hilton Crystal City National Airport 1393 S Eads Street 8.5919 reviews 6 min walk to Crystal City (Blue/Yellow)All-suite rooms with kitchenettes let Marine Corps Marathon runners store their own pre-race food and gear, and the complimentary cooked breakfast is a practical advantage on a morning when restaurants fill fast. View hotel → Crowne Plaza Crystal City-Washington, D.C. by IHG 1480 Crystal Drive 8.01,089 reviews 4 min walk to Crystal City (Blue/Yellow)On Crystal Drive with direct access to the Crystal City Metro concourse, this four-star hotel gives Marine Corps Marathon runners a covered route to the Blue and Yellow lines if weather turns on race morning. View hotel → Crystal Gateway Marriott 1700 Richmond Highway 8.6560 reviews 5 min walk to Crystal City (Blue/Yellow)The highest guest score among the four-star options on this list, and connected to Crystal City's underground pedestrian concourse, making it a strong choice for Marine Corps Marathon runners who want comfort and a reliable indoor route to the Metro. View hotel →