Affordable Hotels in Washington DC for Families: Where We Stayed

Washington DC can get expensive fast with kids—so where can a family stay without blowing the budget?

For us, the answer was staying just outside DC, near the Metro, and choosing a hotel with breakfast and a kitchen.

We traveled as a family of five—my parents, sister, daughter and me—and booked only about two weeks ahead. Instead of paying downtown DC prices, we stayed at Clarion Collection Arlington Court Suites in Arlington, Virginia, about two blocks from the Courthouse Metro.

We booked two rooms with full kitchens and breakfast included. Over five days, we saved on both lodging and food while still having easy access to DC.

Here’s where we stayed, how we saved, and the similar family-friendly hotel I’d compare today.

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How We Kept Our Washington DC Stay Affordable

When you’re traveling with kids, the cheapest hotel room isn’t necessarily the cheapest stay.

We were in the area for five days, so food and transportation mattered too.

We ate breakfast at the hotel, brought food from home and cooked most of our lunches and dinners in our suite. We even packed our rice cooker in our checked luggage.

We ordered DoorDash once. Otherwise, having a kitchen meant we weren’t buying restaurant meals for five people several times a day.

For families, compare the cost of the whole stay—not just the room rate.

What to Look For in a Family Hotel in DC

When comparing hotels, look beyond the nightly rate. These are the things that mattered most for our family.

A short walk to Metro. Check the actual walking distance, especially if you’ll be coming back with tired kids after a full day of sightseeing.

Breakfast included. Feeding a family every morning adds up. Compare the total hotel price with and without breakfast rather than assuming the cheapest room is the better deal.

A kitchen or kitchenette. Even a refrigerator and microwave can help with drinks, leftovers and simple meals. A full kitchen was one of the biggest money savers on our trip.

Enough space. Check the number of beds, room size and occupancy limits. We needed two rooms for our family of five.

Parking. If you’re driving, check the daily parking charge before booking. A lower room rate can quickly lose its advantage once parking is added.

Interactive Map: Family Hotels in Washington DC

Not sure which area makes the most sense? Use the interactive map below to compare family-friendly hotels around Washington DC and Arlington. Zoom in to see what’s close to the places you want to visit.

Where to Stay in Washington DC With Kids: Best Areas

Arlington: Best for Value

This is what worked for us.

Don’t automatically rule out Virginia because it isn’t technically Washington DC. If your hotel is convenient to Metro, you can still have easy access to the major sights.

Arlington is especially worth comparing if you want more space or suite-style accommodations.

National Mall / Penn Quarter: Best for Sightseeing

Stay closer to the National Mall if being able to reach museums and monuments easily is more important than getting the most room for your money.

This can be particularly useful with young kids when you want to minimize transportation.

Capitol Hill: Best for a Quieter Base Near Major Sights

Capitol Hill puts you near the US Capitol, Library of Congress and the eastern end of the National Mall while giving you a slightly different feel from staying downtown.

Tips for Saving Money on a Family Hotel in DC

• Book early when you can. DC gets especially busy during cherry blossom season and major events. We booked only about two weeks ahead and got lucky.
• Look outside DC. Don’t rule out Arlington or Alexandria. A Metro-connected hotel outside the District may give your family more for the money.
• Prioritize Metro access. A cheaper hotel isn’t much of a deal if you end up paying for rideshares every day.
• Choose breakfast when the numbers make sense. Included breakfast can make a noticeable difference when feeding a family for several days.
• Consider a kitchen. This was one of our biggest money savers. We cooked most of our lunches and dinners and even brought our rice cooker.
• Compare the total price. Include taxes, parking, transportation, breakfast and hotel fees—not just the nightly rate.
• Check different dates. Hotel rates can change around weekends, school holidays, conventions and major events.
• Book refundable when possible. Keep checking the rate before your trip and rebook if you find a better deal.
• Use travel rewards strategically. We used our Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits for DoorDash one night during our stay.
• Rent a car only if your itinerary needs one. For a Metro-focused DC trip, you may not need one. If you’re going beyond the city, compare the total rental cost against other transportation options.

Frequently Asked Questions

So, Where Would We Stay Today?

Our Arlington stay taught us that where you stay matters less than what you’re getting for the total price.

For our family, having more space, a kitchen, breakfast and convenient transportation saved more than simply finding the lowest advertised room rate.

If we were planning the trip today, Homewood Suites Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge would be one of the first places I’d compare because it offers many of those same features.

Don’t look only for the cheapest hotel room. Look for the hotel that makes the whole family trip cheaper.

Planning a trip to Washington, DC?

Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about Washington DC.

• Affordable Hotels in Washington DC
• Explore the World of Espionage | International Spy Museum
• Holocaust Museum Washington DC | What the World Must Know
• White House Visitor Center | What You Need To Know
• Best of 3-5 Days in Washington, DC | Easy Itinerary

I hope this article has been helpful.

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