Hilton or Residence Inn at National Mall?

Question

We are a family of three adults touring Washington DC for the first time in early August for two nights. We will not have a car and would prefer to walk to the top sights, with an occasional Uber ride for longer distances . We will be arriving by Amtrak from New York. We are looking for a hotel relatively close to the National Mall so that we can take in all the major monuments as well as the Smithsonian Museum of natural history. We have shortlisted two hotels - Residence Inn Washington DC National Mall and the Hilton Washington DC National Mall. Prices for both are within our budget for our dates. We would love this forum’s opinion on which is a better hotel from a point of view of accessibility, cleanliness, customer service and overall friendliness. We read mixed reviews for both on TA, so weren’t sure.

Answer

Both the Residence Inn Washington DC National Mall and the Hilton Washington DC National Mall are excellent choices for first-time visitors who want to be close to the National Mall and major Smithsonian museums. Since you will not have a car and prefer to walk to top sights, both hotels provide convenient access to the Mall, monuments, and surrounding areas, and are within a reasonable distance of Union Station for Amtrak arrivals.

Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide:

Residence Inn Washington DC National Mall:
- Accessibility: Very walkable to the National Mall, the Smithsonian museums, and major monuments. About a 10–15 minute walk to the Natural History Museum.
- Rooms: Suites with kitchenettes, which is convenient for a family of three adults if you want to prepare light meals or store snacks.
- Cleanliness and Service: Generally receives high marks for cleanliness and friendly staff, though some reviews mention occasional noise from nearby streets.
- Overall Experience: Feels more like a comfortable, homey environment, especially if you value extra space and amenities like free breakfast.
Hilton Washington DC National Mall:
- Accessibility: Also very close to the National Mall and within walking distance to major sights. Slightly more central than the Residence Inn in terms of proximity to the Capitol and certain monuments.
- Rooms: Standard hotel rooms without kitchenettes, but modern and well-maintained. Slightly smaller than Residence Inn suites.
- Cleanliness and Service: Generally receives good reviews for cleanliness, with strong customer service and attentive staff. Some reviews note that the hotel can feel busier and less personal than the Residence Inn.
- Overall Experience: Feels more traditional hotel-like, which may appeal if you prefer a classic hotel environment with full-service amenities.

Additional considerations:

If you plan to spend most of your time exploring monuments and museums and occasionally want to prepare simple meals or have extra space for relaxing, the Residence Inn may be more convenient.
If you prefer a more traditional hotel experience with standard amenities and possibly slightly closer proximity to the center of the Mall, the Hilton is a strong choice.
Both hotels are within easy reach of Ubers or taxis if you need to travel farther, so transportation won’t be an issue.
Check for any current promotions or packages, as sometimes one hotel may include breakfast or other perks that can influence your decision.

Overall, for a family of three adults focused on sightseeing and walking around the Mall, the Residence Inn offers the advantage of extra space and kitchen facilities, while the Hilton offers a more classic hotel experience and very central location. Either choice will give you excellent access to DC’s major attractions.

Hilton or Residence Inn at National Mall?

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