Should You Stay Near the Gallery Place (Chinatown) Metro?

Written by Katie Howard – Updated November 14, 2023
Where To Stay in Washington, D.C. > Chinatown (Downtown DC)

What is the Best Gallery Place (Chinatown) Hotel?

The Best Gallery Place (Chinatown) Hotel: Motto Hotel
Why: Simple Room, New Hotel, Savings Over Nearby Options

There are three primary hotels within a short walk to the Gallery Plaza / Chinatown Metro sfourtation. This is the heart of downtown DC and a premium location for tourist. We recommend Motto Hotel over the nearby, Hotel Monaco and Fairfiend Inn & Suites because it offers a basic room with an inviting rooftop bar. The premise of Motto, a Hilton Hotel is that you'll spend more time outside your hotel room in the hotel lobby. The hotel doesn’t have a gym, pool, or free breakfast, nor does it offer parking. Since most tourist won’t be spending a majority of time in the room we like Motto Hotel for its lower rates than nearby competitors.

Check Rates for Motto Hotel

Other Nearby Hotel Options

As for the other hotel options near Chinatown, don’t overlook the nearby Hotel Monaco for a charming boutique option. This will make for a good choice if you are planning a romantic getaway to Washington, DC. It is helpful to avoid Monaco when they are hosting a wedding, and avoid the basement rooms. Until Pod was built for this location we usually suggested Fairfiend Inn & Suites because they offer free breakfast and free wifi. Use the widget below to find the best deal on hotels near the Chinatown Metro station.

Compare Chinatown Hotels

Staying Near the Gallery Place (Chinatown) Metro

Chinatown Neighborhood: Chinatown is the pulse of downtown DC. The area is home to the National Portrait Smithsonian Museum, Spy Museum and home to many bars and restaurants that keep things happening at all times. It’s easy to walk to the National Mall from here. Visitors not interested in a noisy, rowdy neighborhood should look elsewhere. Visitors will notice a higher amount of panhandling in Chinatown and should be cautious in the area at night. Chinatown is the home of the Verizon Center which hosts the Washington Capitals, Wizards, and Mystic. The Verizon Center also hosts major concerts and a variety of other entertainment options throughout the year. This area boasts a wide variety of dining options and nightlife. While there aren’t as many Chinese restaurants as you might expect, visit China Boy for a no-frills but authentic and budget-friendly experience.

Chinatown – Where to Eat, What to Do, Pictures

Chinatown Hotel Maps

Things to Do in Gallery Place (Chinatown)

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Things to Do: DC’s main sporting venue, the Verizon Center, is located in this neighborhood and is the home venue for the Washington Capitals, Wizards, and Mystic. The Verizon Center also hosts major concerts and a variety of other entertainment options throughout the year. Chinatown boasts its share of DC’s museum scene as well. Both the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery are housed within the old Patent Office building, and the National Building Museum and the International Spy Museum are close by. Shoppers will find mainstream brands (Urban Outfitters, Loft) on 7th Street, Chinatown’s main drag, or can head to nearby City Center for upscale shops like Kate Spade or Louis Vuitton.

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What to Eat: This area boasts a wide variety of dining options and nightlife. While there aren’t as many Chinese restaurants as you might expect, visit China Boy for a no-frills but authentic and budget-friendly experience. For a casual lunch, stop in at Dangerously Delicious for a slice of hearty, savory pies or treat yourself to a slice of their famous Baltimore Bomb. Try Graffiato for artisanal pizzas and Prosecco on tap. Headed out for the night? Chinatown bars run the spectrum from divey (Iron Horse and Rocket Bar offer cheap beer and bar games) to more sophisticated (try Flight Wine Bar’s international offerings).