Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf Hotel

The room had nice king beds, a pleasant bathroom, and thoughtful extras like a water boiler. The bathroom window has blinds, but be aware that guests can look in when they’re open. The pool is closed seasonally, so check its open dates if your kids are excited to swim. We were disappointed by the mini fridge: Hilton advertises one in the room, but it’s programmed to run only in two-hour increments. That made our stay really frustrating. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel to new moms storing breast milk or anyone who needs refrigerated medication for a disability or illness. The location is handy for the Air and Space Museum and Spy Museum, and it’s at the Lefant metro stop. Direct access from the metro into Lefant mall and the hotel closes after a certain time at night. Finding the ADA-accessible way in was challenging, and after several tries we found only the main front entrance was accessible. With the pool and fridge limits, I’d be hesitant to recommend this place for families with kids, though it may suit certain guests.

Being above L’Enfant Plaza was especially handy in the cold weather, since there were several grab-and-go food choices indoors. We also had excellent service, and choosing our room in the Hilton App made check-in easy. We booked two king beds for the family because of the hotel’s convenient spot near the Smithsonian museums, and the stay lived up to that location. For a hotel close to DC’s main attractions, with good metro access and plenty of indoor food options, this is hard to beat.

The hotel was pleasant, clean, and well serviced. I didn’t miss the JW, apart from having to walk a little farther. There’s a food court and metro connected directly to the hotel. The small bar is quiet and shuts early, which makes the place feel kid-friendly. I’ve included a picture of the way there.

The location is hard to beat, a few minutes from the Smithsonian and other major sights, including the National Mall. You can walk or take the metro, which is right inside the hotel, for one stop. Valet parking costs $65 a day. Our room was neat and generally quiet, with a modern bathroom, a working upgraded thermostat, and turn-down service while we were out. There’s a small fridge, though it’s more like a cooler and wasn’t very cold. No microwave, but there was a Nespresso machine and electric kettle. They provide two free bottles of water at a time; get them at check-in, then go back if you need more. The flat-screen TV had some glitches during movies, but you can cast Netflix and YouTube. Wi-Fi is free. Breakfast buffet is $30. The outdoor pool is overlooked by many rooms, and the gym is open 24 hours. You need a key card for the elevator.