Herndon emerged from the Civil War largely unscathed. Although the railroad was seized by the Union and several local towns were destroyed, the only action Herndon experienced was a raid in 1863. On St. Patrick's Day of that year, Confederate Colonel John S. Mosby led his men against the First Vermont Cavalry stationed at Herndon Depot. After the war, Herndon became a favorite getaway destination for residents of nearby Washington, D.C., as well as their summer home location.
Herndon was incorporated in 1879, and much of its downtown was rebuilt after a fire in 1917. Those new brick structures are what visitors see today. They are also a large part of how Herndon, despite being just 22 miles away from the hustle and bustle of the capital, has managed to maintain its small-town charm.
When to Visit Herndon, VA
If you plant to make the short trip for some sightseeing in Washington, D.C. during your stay in Herndon, avoiding the extremes of summer and winter will keep you most comfortable. The city's natural beauty is at its finest at other times anyway: in fall when the leaves change colors and in spring when the cherry trees blossom. Summer brings hot and humid days that make monument browsing less enjoyable, but the museums will be air conditioned. Winter, on the other hand, carries the risk of snowstorms. However, if you plan to stay inside for most of your visit, you might take advantage of the less-than-optimal weather to book lower hotel rates.
Herndon hosts several festivals and events throughout the year that are worth the trip, but you may need to book your hotel well in advance. The Town Green in Herndon is usually the center of activity, hosting free concerts each Friday night from May through August. During these months and on into November, Herndon's Historic Downtown hosts a farmer's market every Thursday morning, complete with free children's shows in July and August. Golfers may want to visit during one of the many tournaments held at the Herndon Centennial Golf Course throughout the year.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Herndon, VA:
Herndon, VA: Prices by Star Rating Class
Below are 3 charts illustrating avg. price trends by star rating class in Herndon, VA. Browse these line graphs to evaluate the best months to stay in Herndon for your upcoming travels.
Luxury Hotel Options in Herndon, VA
4 Star Average Prices: $123.36
The most luxurious hotels in the area can be found in Washington, D.C. The Park Hyatt Washington, for instance, is about 19 miles from Herndon. This five-star hotel is close to George Washington University and the Whitehouse. Each room includes an espresso maker, and bathrooms feature both a deep soaking tub and a rainfall shower. Eat dinner at the hotel's restaurant or order from the 24-hour room service, then relax at the indoor pool or full-service spa.
The Jefferson is another 5-star hotel in the same general area. Past guests were impressed with everything from the grand lobby to the extensive library. Each guest room has been individually decorated and includes designer toiletries, premium TV channels, and an iPod docking station. Guests can also enjoy two on-site restaurants, 24-hour room service, and the hotel's spa.
If neither of those suits you, you can find several other luxury hotels in the capital, as well as a few even closer to Herndon. For instance, there is one four-star Hyatt Regency hotel in Tyson's Corner, Virginia (about 10 miles from Herndon) and another in Reston, Virginia (about 2 miles from Herndon). The Westin Reston Heights, also in Reston, and the Westin Tyson Corner in Falls Church are also four-star hotels with great reviews. In Herndon itself, you will find a Hilton and a Westin.
Affordable Hotel Options in Herndon, VA
3 Star Average Prices: $111.42
For those traveling on a budget, there are several Extended Stay America hotels in the area with good customer reviews and rates below $100 per night. If the one in Herndon is full, try booking a room in Chantilly, Sterling, Reston, Vienna, or Fairfax — all of which are within 10 miles of Herndon. Rooms at these hotels include a kitchenette with a stovetop, microwave, and refrigerator. A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily to save you even more money, and guests often have access to a nearby fitness facility for free or at a discount.
You can also find several Best Western hotels near Herndon with affordable rates. Locations include Fairfax, Sterling, and Manassas. Each offers complimentary breakfasts, free internet access, and fitness facilities. Some even feature extras like an area shuttle, a pool, or an on-site bar. The Comfort Inn has hotels in both Fairfax and Sterling as well. Both include free internet access and breakfast. The former has an indoor pool, while the latter features a 24-hour fitness center and complimentary shuttle.
2 Star Average Prices: $95.27
Best Discounts in Herndon, VA
With so many chain hotels in the Herndon area, you should have no problem finding discounts for additional savings. Many hotels offer special rates for military and government employees, as well as discounted rates for seniors, AAA/CAA members, and AARP members. Often you can score lower rates by booking online in advance or, if you need multiple rooms, by negotiating a group rate.
Loyalty rewards programs offer yet another way to save. For instance, Best Western Rewards members earn points through hotel stays, partner offers, and other promotions. These points can then be redeemed in a variety of ways, including shopping sprees and vacation getaways. The Business Advantage program offers even more perks for business travelers. Several other chains have similar rewards programs, from Hilton and Marriott to Wyndham and Holiday Inn.
If your travel schedule isn't set in stone, booking last-minute deals may be the way to go. Typically your best option is to book early for the best rate — but that's not always the case if your exact destination and dates are flexible. In an effort to book every room, a hotel may lower rates to draw more guests. It is also worth looking into what packages a hotel offers. You may be able to save money on other expenses by bundling transportation and accommodations.
Best Value Options in Herndon, VA
If you're looking for the best value options in Herndon, focus on hotels with room rates of $100 to $150 per night and positive customer reviews. You will find several right in Herndon, as well as many in nearby cities like Sterling, Ashburn, and Chantilly, all of which are situated less than 10 miles from downtown Herndon.
For example, rates at the Candlewood Suites hotel in Herndon run from around $115 to $150 per night. Guests appreciate its location near Dulles Airport and the quality of its rooms. The hotel has a fitness center, picnic area, and free Wi-Fi. Another option is the Staybridge Suites hotel, also located near the airport. Each room in this all-suites hotel includes a kitchenette, and guests benefit from a complimentary shuttle, buffet breakfast, and internet access. The hotel also has a fitness center, spa tub, outdoor pool, and 24-hour business center.
A room at the Hilton Garden Inn in Ashburn shouldn't cost you much more than $150 per night, even for a suite. Its amenities include a free area shuttle, free Wi-Fi, MP3 docking stations, cable programming, an indoor pool, a fitness center, and an on-site restaurant. Meanwhile, the Wingate by Wyndham in Chantilly offers excellent rates for standard guest rooms (the only rooms out of best-value range are king suites). The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast each morning, a 24-hour business center, an indoor pool and spa tub, and a fitness center.
World-Class Facilities in Herndon, VA
Don't think of Herndon as merely a place to stay while you tour Washington, D.C. If you do, you'll miss everything that makes Herndon itself remarkable. One example is the Herndon Centennial Golf Course. The course hosts several tournaments throughout the year, from the Super Bowl Golf Tournament in February to the Superintendent's Revenge Tournament in December. It even offers a three-day Junior Golf Summer Camp in both June and August, as well as a Junior Open Golf Tournament in July. Herndon Centennial Golf Course has even earned the recognition of “Golf Digest” as a great place to play.
The Washington and Old Dominion Trail runs through Historic Downtown Herndon, and the town boasts no fewer than 11 parks. Located within one of those parks is the Herndon Community Center, a 56,000-square-foot, award-winning fitness and recreation facility. Within a former warehouse (now known as the Industrial Strength Theatre), you will find the NextStop Theatre Company. The critically-acclaimed company has become nationally recognized for its excellent productions, which showcase both local talent and Broadway stars.
Herndon may feel like a small town, but that doesn't make it second-rate. Whether you stroll through Historic Downtown, catch a concert on the Town Green, or something else entirely, you won't be disappointed by Herndon's offerings.
FAQs about hotels in Herndon
Verified reviews of the city: Herndon, VA
Below are reviews of the city of Herndon, VA from an actual visitor's perspective.
"My family lives there"
Score
4.0 / 5
Dana H., from 09-Sep-2026
"Near airport"
Score
4.0 / 5
Irvin N., from 23-May-2026
"Used to say at this facility often"
Score
4.0 / 5
Used to say at this facility often when it was Holiday inn express before rebadging so could visit relatives in the area.
James K., from 26-Apr-2026
"Everything is good"
Score
4.0 / 5
Abebe R., from 03-Apr-2026
"Taco bamba"
Score
4.0 / 5
Gayle G., from 01-Mar-2026
"Beautiful city"
Score
5.0 / 5
Carolyn M., from 02-Jan-2026
"Close to Dulles"
Score
5.0 / 5
Close to Dulles. New and modern mix of offices, hotels and condos.
Rimantas A., from 30-Dec-2025
"Pretty area"
Score
4.0 / 5
Andrea G., from 04-Nov-2025
"Convenience location"
Score
5.0 / 5
Cindy L., from 31-Oct-2025
"I would book this hotel in future."
Score
4.0 / 5
I would book this hotel in future.
Linda D., from 19-Sep-2025
"OK"
Score
4.0 / 5
OK
Pokhui L., from 18-Sep-2025
"Lots of good places to eat."
Score
5.0 / 5
Bj S., from 09-Sep-2025
"Very Quiet and many restaurants in the area in order to eat and relax."
Score
5.0 / 5
Anthony A., from 09-Sep-2025
"Beautiful new town and good commute to eateries and shopping"
Score
5.0 / 5
Kimya A., from 29-Aug-2025
"Excellent Winery"
Score
5.0 / 5
We very much enjoyed the winery from the wedding.
Maredith W., from 14-Jul-2025
"Near the airport."
Score
4.0 / 5
Near the airport.
Curtis A., from 22-Mar-2025
"Near The Airport"
Score
5.0 / 5
Near the airport.
Curtis A., from 22-Mar-2025
"Close to the airport."
Score
4.0 / 5
Close to the airport.
Joyce W., from 02-Mar-2025
"The room was comfortable and clean.
"
Score
4.0 / 5
The room was comfortable and clean.
Sherrie M., from 15-Jan-2025
"Quiet, Peaceful Hotel Near the Airport"
Score
4.0 / 5
For my purpose it's near the airport - quiet and peaceful.
Edmond M., from 15-Dec-2024
"Very Nice Small Town"
Score
4.0 / 5
A very nice small town.
Anthony S., from 12-Aug-2024
"Close to Airport"
Score
5.0 / 5
Close to airport
Mary M., from 10-Aug-2024
"Near Airport"
Score
4.0 / 5
Close to airport.
Mary M., from 10-Aug-2024
"Nice area, close to food."
Score
4.0 / 5
Nice area, close food.
Amy J., from 03-Apr-2024
"Posh, Modern, Quaint Hotel"
Score
5.0 / 5
City of Herndon is family oriented. A posh, modern, quaint hotel. I was impressed with how clean the whole city was. I would move here, it felt so safe.
Kristina A., from 24-Mar-2024
"Close to Bible Museum"
Score
5.0 / 5
Close to the Bible Museum.
Sandra K., from 18-Mar-2024
"Easy Access Off The Parkway"
Score
5.0 / 5
Easy to access just off the parkway.
Richard K., from 14-Dec-2023
"Close to Dulles Airport"
Score
4.0 / 5
Hotel is close to Dulles Airport.
Ernest B., from 20-Sep-2023
"Good Spanish Food"
Score
5.0 / 5
Good Spanish food!
Dawson B., from 24-Aug-2023
"Very Pretty Downtown & Unique Restaurants"
Score
4.0 / 5
We were here on a two day business seminar and it was held at the Hyatt Regency. That entire downtown area with all of the unique restaurants was very pretty.
Lynda C., from 30-Apr-2023
"City of Herndon is Very Enjoyable!"
Score
4.0 / 5
We have been coming here for several years. Our daughter lives here with her family. The city of Herndon is very enjoyable!
Joanne R., from 05-Sep-2022
"Very nice town"
Score
4.0 / 5
Herndon is a very nice town, old and modern at the same time, with great hotels, shopping centers and restaurants. So close to IAD.
Chinnarao M., from 04-Sep-2019
"Small Town Charm"
Score
4.0 / 5
It was walking distance to restaurants and shopping, also a short shuttle ride to a high end restaurant and retail complex.
Lori W., from 12-Oct-2015
The average traveler rating of the city of Herndon, VA shown above is
4.4 out of 5 based on 33 reviews