
Arlo Washington DC
Best for guests who want a new, design-forward downtown stay with a seasonal rooftop pool, rooftop bar (ART DC), and easy walking access to the National Mall and Capital One Arena.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Arlo Washington DC is a 4-star lifestyle hotel in Judiciary Square with a large rooftop bar/pool and modern rooms — good for culture- and nightlife-minded travelers who want easy access to museums and the arena. Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown is a large five-star hotel near Georgetown and the West End — read this if you prefer classic full-service luxury, extensive meeting space, and a central Georgetown-adjacent address.
Updated

Best for guests who want a new, design-forward downtown stay with a seasonal rooftop pool, rooftop bar (ART DC), and easy walking access to the National Mall and Capital One Arena.

Best for travelers who need a traditional five-star hotel with large meeting/ballroom capacity, a central location near Georgetown, and full-service hotel amenities.
When Arlo Washington DC wins: choose Arlo if you want a modern lifestyle hotel with a lively rooftop bar and seasonal pool, a strong downtown location for museums and events, and more budget-friendly, contemporary public spaces.
When Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown wins: pick the Fairmont for large conferences or banquets (many meeting rooms and nearly 29,000 sq ft of event space), a classic five-star service level, and a Georgetown-adjacent address for waterfront and embassy-row access.
Bottom line: Arlo is the younger, design-driven option for city sightseeing and rooftop social life; Fairmont is the larger, traditional luxury property for big meetings and travelers seeking a full-service five-star experience near Georgetown.
| Category | Arlo Washington DC | Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Contemporary, lifestyle urban hotel with design-forward public spaces | Large, five-star full-service hotel with traditional luxury scale |
| Location | Judiciary Square — walkable to National Building Museum, National Mall, Capital One Arena | Near Georgetown and the West End — close to George Washington University and Georgetown Waterfront Park |
| Size | 445 guest rooms | 413 guestrooms |
| Star rating & guest score | 4-star lifestyle (home page / marketing) | 5-star · guest rating 9.6 |
| Pools | Seasonal rooftop outdoor pool (ART DC) for registered guests; hours typically 10am–8pm in season | Indoor pool listed as available (wheelchair-accessible pool included in amenities) |
| Restaurants & bars | Bodega (lobby café), ART DC rooftop bar (Japanese/Pan-Asian cocktails & shareables); Altair/Arrels noted in dossier (Arrels closed; Altair opened per later note) | Juniper Restaurant (American) plus 2 bars/lounges and 24-hour room service |
| Spa & wellness | No traditional spa — 'Alo Wellness Club' fitness-and-wellness concept centered on gym, rooftop pool, and Alo-branded sessions | Not published |
| Meetings & events | Smaller-scale meeting portfolio (about 4,287 sq ft across 5 rooms; multiple smaller venues and rooftop/courtyard options) | Extensive event space (21 meeting rooms; ~29,000 sq ft / 2,694 m² of conference/ballroom space) |
| Accessibility & family policy | All-ages property but lead guest must be 21+ to check in; accessible public areas, pool and fitness center | Family-friendly (not adults-only); wheelchair-accessible facilities listed |
| Parking & transit | No on-site garage; covered self-parking nearby (Capitol Crossing Garage) and good Red Line Metro access | Valet parking (surcharge) listed; centrally located for Georgetown and K Street corridors |
Arlo sits in Judiciary Square, a short walk from major museums and Capital One Arena.
Choose Arlo for immediate access to downtown museums, event venues and reliable Metro connections.
Fairmont is positioned near Georgetown and the West End, offering proximity to university campuses and waterfront areas.
Pick Fairmont if you want a Georgetown-adjacent address and easy access to the West End and waterfront.
Arlo has 445 rooms in a mix of compact and suite layouts inside a restored 1888 building plus addition.
Arlo’s rooms emphasize modern design and connectivity in a high-capacity lifestyle property.
Fairmont’s room roster mixes standard rooms with larger Signature and Fairmont Gold options and several suite sizes.
Fairmont offers a wider range of traditionally scaled rooms and executive-level perks for guests wanting more space.
Arlo focuses on a lobby café plus a prominent rooftop bar and seasonal pool scene.
Arlo’s dining suits guests who value rooftop cocktails and grab-and-go convenience over multiple formal outlets.
Fairmont lists Juniper Restaurant and two bars/lounges, plus 24-hour room service.
Fairmont works for travelers who expect traditional full-service dining and in-room service at a five-star property.
Arlo’s signature amenity is its seasonal rooftop pool and rooftop lounge (ART DC).
Arlo’s rooftop pool and rooftop bar are the main social draws in warm months.
Fairmont lists an indoor pool among its recreational offerings.
Fairmont provides all-season pool access and a broader set of recreational facilities.
Arlo emphasizes a 24-hour fitness center and wellness programming rather than a traditional spa.
Arlo’s wellness offering centers on fitness access and rooftop social life rather than spa treatments.
Fairmont lists a health club and sauna and notes a health/beauty spa is nearby rather than explicitly on-site.
Fairmont provides broader on-site wellness facilities; details on a dedicated on-site spa are not published in the supplier listing.

Arlo Washington DC — seasonal rooftop pool and year-round ART DC rooftop bar make it the social pick.

Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown — roughly 21 meeting rooms and about 29,000 sq ft of conference space.

Fairmont — five-star service, Fairmont Gold rooms and larger suites for a traditional luxury stay.

Arlo — immediate walking access to the National Building Museum, Smithsonian museums and the National Mall.
Fairmont — it has far more meeting rooms and nearly 29,000 sq ft of conference/ballroom space suited to large events.
Arlo — ART DC is a year-round rooftop bar with a seasonal rooftop pool and city views; it's the clear rooftop option.
No — both properties welcome all ages; note Arlo requires the lead guest to be at least 21 to check in.
Fairmont is Georgetown-adjacent and closer to the waterfront; Arlo is downtown nearer to the National Mall.
Explore how Arlo Washington DC stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·