Book your stay in the nation’s capital at one of many hotels prioritizing sustainability.
A long-time emblem of luxury in DC, the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C.'s sustainability initiatives are just as robust as its afternoon tea menu. Amenities and provisions are sourced locally and both Café du Parc and the Round Robin Bar are certified through the Green Restaurant Association. The hotel has also obtained Level 4 certification from the IHG Green Engage program. The Willard sources its seafood from the locally based Life Below Water and partners with Goodr to compost food waste. Other initiatives include in-room recycling, the reduction of plastic use in amenities and the measurement of water reduction usage. With the community in mind, the hotel also donates to the Children of Mine Youth Center and since 2019 has partnered with BroadFutures to offer internships and employment to young people with learning disabilities.
Canopy Washington, DC / The Wharf
This LEED Gold-certified building boasts an impressive list of sustainable features. Drink garnishes come from an onsite garden and the hotel uses bulk-sized bath amenities to reduce plastic waste. Canopy also uses Hilton’s LightStay program to keep track of energy use with the aim of reducing the hotel’s carbon footprint. Additionally, the hotel fundraises for Feed the Children and more than half of its workforce lives in DC.
Eaton DC
This sustainable spot prioritizes people, purpose and place. The hotel maintains a formally designated sustainability committee to keep the property on track from the inside. Eaton’s amenities and provisions are local and made with or served in environmentally sound, often recycled products. The hotel has also received a Bronze EarthCheck, produces some of its menu ingredients on-site and composts its food waste. Eaton also monitors its energy usage closely, circulating a blackout schedule of rooms that don’t need power when appropriate. Bed headboards are re-purposed when switching from queen to king-size. The hotel also runs a recurring coat drive as a form of charitable-giving sustainability.
Fairmont Washington, DC / Georgetown
One of the most luxurious hotels in the nation’s capital is also one of its most sustainable and charitable. The Fairmont Washington, DC works with Horton’s Kids and Virginia Linen to donate robes, sheets and towels to churches and organize food pantry events. The hotel’s sustainability committee meets monthly to ensure healthy regulations are followed. Generously, excess banquet food is donated to the local police department. Along with composting, recycling and growing some of their own menu items, Fairmont works with Gaia to reduce energy usage and sources seafood sustainably. Additionally, the Fairmont houses several bee apiaries, which provide not only grade-A honey (used by chefs at the hotel), but also a safe habitat that enables the pollinators to continue their work across the city.
Cure Bar & Bistro at the Grand Hyatt
This green hotel partners with Clean the World to donate excess banquet food and has also received a third-party sustainability certification of 3 Keys from Green Key Global. Food is a central facet of the Grand Hyatt’s efforts: the property sources local and sustainable meat, produce and seafood, makes vegan options readily available and composts their food waste. The hotel also prioritizes recycling and energy reduction and encourages its guests to utilize DC’s public transportation options.
Four Oaks at the Washington Hilton
This Hilton hotel goes above and beyond in its people-based sustainable practices, donating approximately $100,000 worth of excess banquet food every year. According to the hotel, “…any PR initiative that’s driving revenue has a give-back factor.” Washington Hilton partners with Charlie’s Place DC, Capital Area Food Bank, Capital Pride and Humane Rescue Alliance. Hilton’s internal Blue Energy program recognizes associates for their passion and commitment to hotel guests and colleagues, which can include community outreach and giving opportunities like clothing drives. Hilton also composts 68,000 pounds of food waste per year and sells the compost back through the ORCA program (Washington Hilton was, in fact, the first property to initiate the ORCA composting program). The hotel has also switched from plastic to glass containers for many of its bathroom amenities.
Hyatt House Washington, DC / The Wharf
Amenities at Hyatt House come from local vendors and the hotel’s hiring policy specifies that more than half of its associates reside in the District. Hyatt House hosts DC government-sponsored interns as well. The building is LEED Gold-certified and offers recycling in every room, along with bulk-sized bath products to reduce plastic waste. The hotel’s outdoor space is aimed at sustainable practices, promoting pollinators and native plants and growing drink garnishes in an on-site garden. Hyatt House sources meat and produce from within a 200-mile radius of the District and offers vegan options for guests.
Kimpton George
This Capitol Hill hotspot gives back to the community through an annual charitable initiative with Miriam’s Kitchen. The hotel also procures its meat, fish, chocolate and scotch locally and has partnered with Black-owned businesses. Kimpton uses eco-friendly cleaning products as well as low-flow toilets and sinks to reduce water usage. Once a year, the hotel donates or recycles electronics and gives old linens to a local shelter.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington, DC / Convention Center
Sustainability matters to this Embassy Suites by Hilton. The hotel’s provisions and amenities are local and made from post-consumer products. The property’s banquet program sources seafood sustainably, a focus so important not just for the environment, but for the health of the guests. Bathroom light sensors ensure electricity isn’t wasted, the hotel recycles metal, wood and linen and Embassy Suites has landscaped with pollinators and native plants in mind. The hotel also hosts DC government-sponsored interns for job-shadowing and teaches them the importance of sustainable business practices.
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
This Green Key Global 4 level certified sustainable property has a sustainability committee and runs a month-long charity partnership every year for both staff and guests with Art Enables, Bread for the City and DC Safe. Hyatt Regency also works with local vendors like Thomas Sweet, who created a flavor just for the hotel. The property’s banquet program sources sustainable and local seafood, produce and meat and operates an in-house composting program. Hyatt Regency also donates textiles to small businesses and sources solar energy from its roof.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco
At Kimpton Monaco, new ramps have been added to the back of the hotel for greater accessibility for guests and staff. The property also organizes care packages and coat drives for Miriam’s Kitchen and hosts Kimpton Cares Giving Month every November. The hotel sources amenities (including coffee) and provisions (seafood, produce, meat and more) locally and sustainably. Kimpton Monaco also utilizes solar energy and measures its water usage, checking for reduction each year. The hotel annually hosts an intern from the Marion Barry Summer Youth Program whom it educates on its sustainable practices.
The Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill
A vast array of sustainability initiatives are under way at Royal Sonesta Washington DC Capitol Hill. In addition to locally sourced provisions and amenities, the property produces some of its menu items on-site. The formally designated sustainability committee measures progress in both water and energy reduction. Guest rooms offer refillable water vessels, easy to use thanks to the water refill stations on each guest floor. The hotel has reduced plastic use in each room’s amenities as well.
Westin Washington, DC Downtown
This downtown hotel's internal Take Care Committee holds the hotel accountable for environmentally sound practices. Bikes are available for guest use—a major perk in a city as bikeable as the District. The Westin Downtown sources seafood sustainably and makes both vegetarian and vegan options readily available for guests. The property utilizes a city-installed meter to measure water and energy usage and reduction.
Whether you're on the hunt for sustainable inspiration, cutting edge hotels or family-friendly favorites, DC has you covered.
Partner Content