The Jefferson, ranked in the top 20 nationwide, is less than a mile away from the White House. (Courtesy The Jefferson)
WASHINGTON — U.S. News & World Report has released their 2018 rankings of the best hotels around the country and in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Only one hotel in D.C. ranked in the top 20 nationally, but one Baltimore hotel and several in Virginia, outside the immediate D.C.-area, received gold badges.
The Jefferson in D.C., located less than a mile from the White House, was the most highly rated hotel in D.C., though it fell from the its spot in the top five nationwide in 2017.
This five-star hotel has been hosting visitors since 1923, U.S. News reported in 2017. Early 20th-century paintings and sculptures line checkered floors, and rooms are outfitted with Bose sound systems, walk-in showers and flat-screen TVs. Some rooms provide a view of the Washington Monument.
The Hay-Adams, also in Northwest D.C., ranked as the second-best hotel in D.C. and also received a gold badge. It also fell from the top 10 nationwide since 2017.
This historic hotel is just across the street from the White House, on the edge of Lafayette Square. Wood paneling, marble floors and period decor make this hotel a must-see for history buffs, according to U.S. News.
Farther south of the D.C.-area, Primland, a hotel in southern Virginia, ranked as the best hotel in Virginia for the second year in a row and earned a gold badge.
Guests are able to choose their accommodations from rooms, suites, cottages or houses spread out over Primland’s 12,000 acres. Activities include biking, hunting, horseback riding and golf. This hotel offers unique amenities such as a private movie theater, an observatory dome, a library and a game room.
The Primland was followed in Virginia by The Inn at Willow Grove and The Inn at Little Washington, both southwest of D.C.
The Inn at Little Washington is popular with locals because of its Michelin-starred restaurant and romantic ambiance. It is located in Washington, Virginia, about an hour and a half from Northwest D.C.
The Ritz-Carlton at Pentagon City is the highest rated Virginia hotel in the D.C.-area, located in Arlington. This hotel is close to the Pentagon and has indoor access to Metro. U.S. News reported in 2017 that guests enjoyed the hotel’s family-friendly amenities and its proximity to sight-seeing destinations in D.C.
In Maryland, the only hotel that received a gold badge from U.S. News was the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore. It was followed by The Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond in Talbot County and the Sagamore Pendry in Baltimore.
The U.S. News rankings, published Feb. 6, lists hotels based on travel expert opinions and reviews from guests. The report acknowledges that travel is a personal experience. Hotels ranked at No. 1 or No. 2 may still not be the best option for some people — each hotel depends on the trip and the travelers.
U.S. News also looked at hotels in Canada, Mexico and Europe, and plans to rate more geographic locations in the future. Find more of their hotel rankings here.
