
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
Best for city-center access and walking distance to Smithsonian museums, Capital One Arena, and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC is a large 4-star convention hotel in downtown DC linked directly to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center—best for meeting attendees and travelers who want immediate access to DC sights and Metro. Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is a 4-star waterfront resort and convention complex at National Harbor—best for groups who want resort amenities and a National Harbor location outside central DC.
Updated · about 11 mi (≈18 km) apart

Best for city-center access and walking distance to Smithsonian museums, Capital One Arena, and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Best for resort-style meeting space and family-friendly waterfront activities at National Harbor.
When Marriott Marquis Washington, DC wins: Choose the Marriott Marquis if you need to be in the heart of Washington, DC—walking distance or direct concourse access to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, easy Metro connections, and immediate access to downtown attractions.
When Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center wins: Choose Gaylord National if you want a resort environment with a large indoor atrium, pool, full-service spa, marina access, and very large on-site conference facilities at National Harbor.
Bottom line: Both are major meeting hotels; pick Marriott Marquis for centrality, public-transport access, and city sightseeing, or pick Gaylord National for a resort-feel convention experience and on-site recreation outside the city center.
| Category | Marriott Marquis Washington, DC | Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Busy, city-center convention hotel with a 14-story atrium and business focus | Resort-style convention complex on the National Harbor waterfront with family-friendly amenities |
| Location | 901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Shaw/Penn Quarter; connected to Walter E. Washington Convention Center | 201 Waterfront Street, Fort Washington, MD; located in National Harbor on the Potomac waterfront |
| Size (rooms) | 1,175 rooms across 14 floors | 1,996 guestrooms (supplier listing) |
| Target guests / policy | All ages welcome; families and large groups | |
| Pools & water features | No pool, hot tub, or sauna on site | Indoor pool and hot tub plus waterfront/marina access |
| Restaurants & bars | Anthem (breakfast/lunch), Lobby Bar, The Dignitary, Starbucks | Multiple restaurants and bars including Old Hickory and a poolside bar; on-site coffee shop/cafe |
| Spa & wellness | No on-site spa; 8,000 sq ft fitness center open 24 hours and complimentary | Full-service spa, health club, sauna, and fitness facilities |
| Meeting & event space | 100,000+ sq ft and a 30,600 sq ft Marquis Ballroom linked to the convention center | About 546,889 sq ft of conference space including extensive ballrooms and meeting rooms |
| Parking & transport | Valet-only parking on site; strong Metro access and walkable to many attractions | Self and valet parking (fees); resort shuttle services (surcharge) and marina access |
| Known for | Direct convention-center access and central DC location | Huge resort/convention footprint at National Harbor with waterfront attractions (The Capital Wheel nearby) |
Marriott Marquis sits in Shaw/Penn Quarter and links directly to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Pick Marriott Marquis for maximum downtown convenience and public-transport access.
Gaylord National is on the National Harbor waterfront, a short drive from downtown DC.
Pick Gaylord National for a waterfront resort location outside central DC with easy on-site parking.
Marriott Marquis offers 1,175 rooms in city-oriented layouts including suites and Club Rooms.
Marriott Marquis rooms prioritize business travelers and convention groups in a central setting.
Gaylord National has nearly 2,000 rooms with a broad mix of standard rooms and suites.
Gaylord National offers more room variety and capacity for large events and families.
Marriott Marquis focuses on a compact set of on-site outlets convenient for business and sightseeing.
Choose the Marriott Marquis for reliable, convenient on-site dining close to downtown restaurants.
Gaylord National runs multiple restaurants, bars, and a poolside bar to serve resort guests.
Gaylord National suits guests who prefer more on-site dining choices and casual resort outlets.
Marriott Marquis has no on-site pool, hot tub, or sauna; the fitness center is the main wellness offering.
If an on-site pool or spa matters, the Marriott Marquis is not the right choice.
Gaylord National includes an indoor pool, hot tub, and additional waterfront activities.
Gaylord National is the clear choice if you want on-site pool and waterfront recreation.
Marriott Marquis emphasizes fitness and downtown nightlife rather than resort-style wellness.
Pick Marriott Marquis for fitness and city nightlife; plan spa visits off-site.
Gaylord National provides a full-service spa plus family entertainment spaces.
Gaylord National is better if you want on-site spa services and family entertainment.

Marriott Marquis — direct underground concourse to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and central Metro access.

Gaylord National — indoor pool, full-service spa, marina access, and multiple dining outlets at National Harbor.

Gaylord National — roughly 546,889 sq ft of conference space suited for very large meetings.

Marriott Marquis — walking distance to Smithsonian museums, National Mall, and downtown attractions.
Marriott Marquis is in downtown DC and within walking distance of many Smithsonian museums, the National Mall, and Capital One Arena; Gaylord National is on the National Harbor waterfront outside downtown.
Gaylord National has an indoor pool, hot tub, and a full-service spa. Marriott Marquis does not have a pool or spa on site.
Both handle large meetings, but Gaylord National offers a much larger total conference footprint on-site; Marriott Marquis offers immediate convention-center access for events tied to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
No. Both properties welcome guests of all ages.
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