Sometimes just changing the location where you wake up can feel like a vacation in itself. Washington has luxurious hotels to choose from, and a weekend spent in their high-thread-count sheets can feel as good as a getaway, sans the travel stress.
Waldorf Astoria
location_on Downtown DC
language Website
From spa treatments to afternoon tea, the grand hotel is the ideal place to slow down and enjoy a loved one’s company.
Pendry
location_on The Wharf
language Website
Head to the waterfront hotel for a splurgy spa weekend. Couples massages and paired facials mean you can combine quality time with rejuvenating treatments.
The Jefferson
location_on Downtown DC
language Website
Beyond the well-appointed suites, this Old World hotel is home to a romantic restaurant, the Greenhouse. Call ahead to ask for a seat near the fireplace.
Last-Minute Getaways
What’s more romantic than a spontaneous retreat?
An enchanting weekend together doesn’t need to be planned far in advance. For last-minute escapes, look to Whimstay, a platform that offers discounted stays on properties you’d otherwise book through Airbnb or Vrbo. You can expect to pay at least 10 percent (sometimes as much as 60 percent) less than you would on other platforms, as long as you book fewer than 30 days before your travel dates. Nearby options include a secluded A-frame cabin in Maryland, a historic home in Harpers Ferry, and a yurt in the Virginia countryside.
This article appears in the February 2026 issue of Washingtonian.
