
MGM National Harbor
Best for nightlife, casino gaming, large on-site entertainment, and a destination spa.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
MGM National Harbor is a 5-star casino resort on the National Harbor waterfront with gaming, a 3,000-seat theater, seasonal rooftop pool, and a large spa — best for travelers who want nightlife, river views, and on-site entertainment. JW Marriott Washington DC is a well-known 4-star full-service downtown hotel steps from the National Mall and White House — best for travelers who need a central business or sightseeing base in DC.
Updated · about 11 km apart

Best for nightlife, casino gaming, large on-site entertainment, and a destination spa.

Best for walking access to DC landmarks, large meeting space in the heart of downtown, and a classic full-service hotel experience.
When MGM National Harbor wins: choose MGM if you want a resort feel near the Potomac with a casino, multiple late-night dining and bar options, a sizable spa, and a theater for concerts and comedy. It’s the better pick for adult-oriented entertainment and a riverfront resort atmosphere.
When JW Marriott Washington DC wins: choose the JW if your priority is being in downtown DC within easy walking distance of the White House, National Mall museums, and theaters, or if you need large meeting and ballroom space close to DC government and business addresses.
Bottom line: pick MGM for a resort/entertainment stay near the water and for spa or gaming-focused trips; pick the JW for a straightforward downtown base for sightseeing, business, and meetings.
| Category | MGM National Harbor | JW Marriott Washington DC |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort and casino with nightlife, theater, and waterfront views | Full-service downtown hotel near museums and government buildings |
| Location | National Harbor / Oxon Hill waterfront (Maryland), short drive to DC | 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW — Washington, DC, steps from the National Mall and White House |
| Size (rooms) | 308 guest rooms (including 74 suites) across the hotel tower | 777 guestrooms (source listing: 777 individually decorated guestrooms) |
| Opened | 2016 | Not published |
| Pools | Seasonal rooftop outdoor pool (river views, day pod cabanas) — typically open Memorial Day–Labor Day | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | 12–15+ on-site venues (steakhouse, Asian, Italian, Mexican, food hall, sports bars, patisserie) | Avenue Grill plus bar/lounge and room service; one on-site restaurant listed |
| Spa / wellness | The Spa & Salon — two-level, 27,000 sq ft with 11 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy, sauna, Vichy room | Not published |
| Meetings & event space | Extensive meeting inventory including a 3,000-seat theater and roughly 50,000 sq ft of flexible event space | Large conference presence — 34,696 sq ft of conference space and 21 meeting rooms |
| Parking | On-site self and valet parking for a fee; height restrictions apply | Self parking (surcharge) and valet parking (surcharge) |
| Family policy / ages | All-ages property for rooms and pool; 21+ to check in and to gamble; spa restricted to adults | Children 17 and younger stay free with guardians; adult-only designations not listed |
MGM National Harbor sits on the National Harbor waterfront in Oxon Hill, MD, a short drive from downtown DC.
Choose MGM for a riverside resort setting and easy access to National Harbor activities; plan for a short transfer into central DC.
JW Marriott Washington DC is a downtown address at 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW within walking distance of the White House and National Mall.
Choose the JW for maximum convenience if you want to be within walking distance of DC’s major landmarks and downtown offices.
MGM offers a smaller room inventory focused on resort and suite options across its hotel tower.
MGM’s rooms are sized and positioned for a resort stay; suites are available if you want more space.
JW Marriott lists 777 individually decorated guestrooms with a wide array of room and suite types.
JW has a broad range of room configurations and many accessible options — a traditional downtown hotel inventory.
MGM has a broad, on-site dining lineup spanning casual to signature restaurants and multiple bars.
MGM is the pick for variety, late-night options, and a resort’s worth of restaurants on property.
JW Marriott lists one on-site restaurant (Avenue Grill) and a bar/lounge plus room service.
JW is convenient for downtown dining and theater-night plans, but offers fewer on-site venues than MGM.
MGM’s seasonal rooftop pool is a signature summer amenity overlooking the river, and the resort also features a 3,000-seat theater.
MGM’s rooftop pool plus a sizable theater make it a destination for entertainment-focused stays.
JW Marriott’s listing does not publish a pool or a large entertainment venue on-site in the provided supplier listing.
If a pool or on-site entertainment theater is essential, MGM is the clearer choice; JW’s strengths are location and meeting capacity.
MGM combines a large Clarins-branded spa, an advanced fitness center, and casino nightlife.
MGM blends wellness and nightlife; it’s a resort geared toward adult spa experiences and evening entertainment.
JW Marriott lists 24-hour fitness facilities, concierge services, and business/meeting amenities but no spa listing in the supplier facts provided.
JW suits travelers focused on fitness and downtown services with easy access to DC nightlife and theater districts nearby.

MGM — casino floors, a 3,000-seat theater, lively bars, and late-night venues on property.

JW Marriott — a downtown address within easy walking distance of the National Mall, White House, and major museums.

MGM — The Spa & Salon is a two-level, 27,000 sq ft facility with extensive treatments and hydrotherapy amenities.

JW Marriott — 34,696 sq ft of conference space and 21 meeting rooms in a central business location.
JW Marriott Washington DC — it’s a short walk from the National Mall and the White House; MGM is across the river in National Harbor and requires a drive or transit to reach central DC.
MGM National Harbor — the resort lists more than a dozen dining venues and multiple bars and nightlife options, while JW lists one main on-site restaurant and a bar/lounge.
MGM has a seasonal rooftop outdoor pool and a large Clarins-branded spa. The JW Marriott supplier listing does not publish an on-site pool or spa in the provided facts.
Both properties have substantial meeting capacity: JW Marriott lists 34,696 sq ft of conference space and 21 meeting rooms in downtown DC, while MGM offers large ballrooms, a 3,000-seat theater, and roughly 50,000 sq ft of flexible event space.
Explore how MGM National Harbor stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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