Question for Washington, DC Area Residents

[bayer40601]

We are considering a trip to DC during Fall Break (mid-October). We have been considering staying in a hotel/motel in the downtown area so we would not have to rent a car.

Can any of you forumites who live in the area make some suggestions about possible accomodations? And please do not recommend the $300-$500 per night hotels--that's a little above our budget for this trip.

Thanks

[mbw1024]

I am planning a trip over Thanksgiving weekend and got the hotel on price line. I was pretty satisfied for the price.

[nothintolose]

bayer40601 - my sister (Cat on here) is there right now staying in just that type of hotel (meeting up with some forumites tonight). They did not rent a car. When she gets back, I am sure she can tell you if they liked their hotel and where it was.

[cocosmom]

Since we live by we have only stayed in one hotel. The Holiday Inn at National Airport. They let you park for a week when you stay overnight. We stayed before our last trip since National parking is a pain on a holiday. I think it was only 150.00 and that was Thanksgiving weekend. The subway stop is one mile away. They have a free shuttle to subway & airport. Might be more reasonable place to stay..take the subway in..parking is a pain anyway. The room was great! A lot nicer than any Holiday Inn I have ever been in. Would stay there again in a heartbeat.

[Carolyn]

As an occasional DC traveler I would recommend staying somewhere along the metro as it is the best way to get around the city in my opinion, a car in DC is a problem! We have stayed over in Arlington as well as the DuPont circle area that we have enjoyed most recently and is walkable to the Zoo. Dupont also has some nice restaurants we enjoyed . The Metro is safe, efficient and gets you to just about everywhere you want to go w/ the exceptions of Georgetown or Alexandria, (no stops) IF you stay downtown definitely check out the spy museum!!! LOVE DC!!!

[sailorgirl]

Last fall we stayed at the L'Enfant Plaza. It was right off the mall opposite the Smithsonian Castle. The photos make it look better than it is but it was really fine. The hotel is the top floors of an office building. We had a king room with a Balcony and a view of the Washignton Monument. You would not need a car its above a Metro stop as I recall. There is a shopping plaza located below which has an Au Boin Pain and several deli's great for grabbing breakfast or lunch. There is an outdoor and indoor pool and gym, a full service resturant and a nice looking bar and grill. Its a business district so it was a litle deserted at night. We parked on the street, but there is a lot in the building. For a long weekend or a few days I would reccommend it for the price. I think we got it for about $125 a night.

[DCphoto]

Try the Capitol Hill Hyatt, not sure of the price, you might catch a webfare. Near union station and the Capitol and the Mall. Bring your walking shoes, a lot of walking involved. Also there are a lot of tours you can take by double decker.
October is a great month for here, great weather. Good luck. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I'm not up on places to eat, I just go in for work and come home, I live 30 miles west of the city.
Don't Miss going to the New Newseum. History of News Media.

Sandy

[cocosmom]

Not sure how you got the L'enfant for that price. Weekends go for 250 and up weedays 350 & up. The holiday Inn Crystal City is about 130-150. Certainly not as convenient but it is nice

[lisak428]

We were there last year over Easter break and stayed in the George Washington Suites-Georgetown. The location was great. The Foggy-Bottom metro stop was a short 2 block walk away. The metro system is so clean and easy to navigate - my 10 year old daughter had it all figured out. We didn't have a car as we went by train to DC from NJ and we got around just fine. Good luck in your search. It's a fantastic city.
Lisa

[jimg20]

The place we liked was the St. James Suites Preferred at 950 24th NW between Eye and K Streets. It is an older building and the rooms have been combined to make suites. It is a block and a half from the Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro stop. The GWU Medical center is on the next block. It is within walking distance of the White House.

When you get there, look at buying 3 or 7 day tickets to the Metro. You will probably spend the same amount of money on the first day with point-to-point fares as you would for the multi-day tickets.

Have a wonderful time.

JIM

[sailorgirl]

Not sure how you got the L'enfant for that price. Weekends go for 250 and up weedays 350 & up. The holiday Inn Crystal City is about 130-150. Certainly not as convenient but it is nice

I'm sure we must have used one of the usual services like expedia. No way I would have paid 300+ a night, that is not in our budget at all! I guess we got very lucky.

[cocosmom]

Bayer,
Looks like you've got some choices. As usual us locals never stay in hotels so the great forum folks who have visited DC have come up through. Just stay somewhere to use the metro & u will be fine. It is a wonderful trip with way too much to see!! Have on some good walking shoes!

[flip-flop]

I am a big fan of the Klimpton group.

http://www.kimptonhotels.com/hotels/hot ... tondc.aspx

They are not typically in your price range, but often they have great deals. They are all unique and very nice without being overly posh.

[Gromit]

I would suggest staying in Old Town Alexandria and taking Metro in. I recently stayed at the Embassy Suites on King Street (directly across from King Street Metro). The rooms are spacious, affordable and offer a breakfast in the AM. You also have a nice sitting area and a kitchenette. As I said this hotel is directly across King Street Metro for easy access to the city. You can also take a FREE trolley (they are super cute and old timey) down King Street for access to the waterfront, parks, great dining, shopping and nightlife. If you're really adventurous, you can also take a water taxi across the potomac (viewing the new WW bridge on the way) to National Harbor in MD. This is going to be a whole new activity center for the region. Not all up and running yet but could be fun.

If you are intent on staying in DC proper or closer don't be afraid to check out the Ritz Carlton in DC, Gtown ot Pentagon City. They often run really great week-end specials (since they generally cater to mid week biz). I've been able to get a room at the Ritz for $189 a night (no joke!!) Just don't do the Tysons one because walk to transit options are limited and you'll ahve to drive to a Metro station for parking and that's very full these days.

Another affordable option for staying outside the city and Metroing in is to stay in Arlington in the Ballston area. We have a new Westin as well as other hotels. Anything near the Ballston Metro gives you a lot of affordable options without paying DC prices.

Hope this helps!

[PA Girl]

While I don't live in DC area, I second Gromit's Old Town idea and the hotel. We stayed there several times over the years for various events (weddings, etc.) and really liked the shuttle service for evening jaunts down King Street.