Budget Washington, D.C.?

DH really wants some space from the kids, so decided to look at places with suites -- found the Embassy Suites, a chain we have never stayed at but it looks nice on-line. Rate is $159-$169, but with the free full breakfast for all 4 of us (plus there's some evening snacks and drinks included) it's the same as staying at a Marriott Courtyard and paying for the breakfasts -- plus Courtyard would be a room, so DD would be sleeping in a sleeping bag. There are 2 in DC that seems relatively close to the sites we'd be going to, and it has great reviews on tripadvisor. Anyone been?

See my PP. I haven't been but decided on Alexandria because it is an historic area and it is also $100 less than all of the other Embassy Suites in DC.
 
Thanks from one York-ie to another!

I have been bugging Dh I want to take the girls for more than the zoo and wanted a recommendation.:goodvibes
 
You can't go wrong with Embassy Suites. We've stayed in the Chevy Chase one. IIRC the Metro stop is right directly under the hotel and you don't even have to go outside.

I've also been to one of the Courtyard by Marriotts downtown. This one was near Ford's Theater and the Convention Center. It was an old bank building nad you can see the old vault as part of the lobby. We had no problems there.

Very glad to find this thread. My family of 5 (15,13, & 8) will be heading out to DC (driving) this summer. I currently have reseravations for Embassy Suites in Alexandria. We had originally planned on staying at Comfort Suites in Mansassas but learned it would take about an hour to get into the city. It is going to cost us about $1,050 to stay Sat - Wed (this includes $24 per day parking). (Making our $150 per night from last summer look very reasonable). I considered staying at Virginian Suites but was a little worried about the location. It is quite a bit cheaper but I started thinking "you get what you paid for". I also like the idea that we are right across the street from the Metro. I would love to hear how everyone's trips go and any other budget tips.

See my PP. I haven't been but decided on Alexandria because it is an historic area and it is also $100 less than all of the other Embassy Suites in DC.
So great to read these, thank you, and hope you all have a great time! We booked the Embassy Suites Convention Center, Washington DC, which seems centrally located for the things DH, DS, DD, and I want to visit (too bad we have to pay to keep the car parked -- $30+/day -- OUCH -- Is there a better alternative?). We decided to do a shorter trip -- Thur-Sat. because Wednesday was just too much $$$ and DH wants to get out before the Memorial weekend crowds (we're going 5/21-23). After checking Travelocity, Orbitz, and Hotel.com, turned out that the hotel's own website was the least expensive (compare the bottom-line after taxes and fees) and we did the non-refundable reservation to save $10 more per night.
 
So great to read these, thank you, and hope you all have a great time! We booked the Embassy Suites Convention Center, Washington DC, which seems centrally located for the things DH, DS, DD, and I want to visit (too bad we have to pay to keep the car parked -- $30+/day -- OUCH -- Is there a better alternative?). We decided to do a shorter trip -- Thur-Sat. because Wednesday was just too much $$$ and DH wants to get out before the Memorial weekend crowds (we're going 5/21-23). After checking Travelocity, Orbitz, and Hotel.com, turned out that the hotel's own website was the least expensive (compare the bottom-line after taxes and fees) and we did the non-refundable reservation to save $10 more per night.

The Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria is going to be a better choice if you want to come back to the hotel at night and do some walking around or evening touring. It's a beautiful looking hotel in a great area. You will have a longer Metro ride and more $$$ to get into town.

The Convention Center area is fine. It's just okay. Not unsafe, but not one of the better places within DC (again NOT bad either). I would probably not walk around there much after "working" hours of people who work in DC. I would then take a cab to anywhere I wanted to go.

As another poster said, you can't go wrong with Embassy Suites.

The Chevy Chase one is also nice but, again, a longer ride in each day via Metro.
 

So great to read these, thank you, and hope you all have a great time! We booked the Embassy Suites Convention Center, Washington DC, which seems centrally located for the things DH, DS, DD, and I want to visit (too bad we have to pay to keep the car parked -- $30+/day -- OUCH -- Is there a better alternative?). We decided to do a shorter trip -- Thur-Sat. because Wednesday was just too much $$$ and DH wants to get out before the Memorial weekend crowds (we're going 5/21-23). After checking Travelocity, Orbitz, and Hotel.com, turned out that the hotel's own website was the least expensive (compare the bottom-line after taxes and fees) and we did the non-refundable reservation to save $10 more per night.

I read someplace to park your car at Union Station vs the hotel. It is $15 at Union Station.

We were talking about staying in Alexandria, I will look into the Embassy Suites there. The free breakfast is with the extra hotel cost!

Ok, nevermind, the Embassy Suites in Alexandria is $235/night.
 
I read someplace to park your car at Union Station vs the hotel. It is $15 at Union Station.

We were talking about staying in Alexandria, I will look into the Embassy Suites there. The free breakfast is with the extra hotel cost!

Ok, nevermind, the Embassy Suites in Alexandria is $235/night.

Keep checking. We just returned from a long holiday weekend. We originally booked Embassy Suites Old Town for $180 and eventually got it down to $150. Parking is also $24 per night.

But I have to tell you, this hotel is soooo worth it. It is no more than 100 yards across the street from the King Street metro. My kids are small and needed the down time and you really can't go wrong with a suite there. Plus, OP is looking at a holiday weekend which will be crowded - you want a room you'll enjoy. DS4 watched metros and Amtraks come and go from our room window. Add that to going by Reagan airport along the metro ride in and he was in transportation heaven! :lmao: There is also a free trolley service to bring you down to the waterfront.
 
Keep checking. We just returned from a long holiday weekend. We originally booked Embassy Suites Old Town for $180 and eventually got it down to $150. Parking is also $24 per night.

But I have to tell you, this hotel is soooo worth it. It is no more than 100 yards across the street from the King Street metro. My kids are small and needed the down time and you really can't go wrong with a suite there. Plus, OP is looking at a holiday weekend which will be crowded - you want a room you'll enjoy. DS4 watched metros and Amtraks come and go from our room window. Add that to going by Reagan airport along the metro ride in and he was in transportation heaven! :lmao: There is also a free trolley service to bring you down to the waterfront.

I will keep checking, it does sound nice and convenient. I looked for dates for our trip time at the end of June, not over Memorial Day. Our kids won't care about watching the trains, we just want a clean, safe place to sleep. We will be in DC all day since we have such a short time to visit.
 
$30 is not unreasonable for parking in DC. We usually pay between $25-30 each day for parking.

As for Convention Center, that is what I've known for years and it has never bother me. I'm not a big go outside and wander around at night person so after a day of touring its usually dinner, pool and then bed.
 
Keep checking. We just returned from a long holiday weekend. We originally booked Embassy Suites Old Town for $180 and eventually got it down to $150. Parking is also $24 per night.

I've got to know how you kept getting the price to go down. Did you just keep checking the web site? I know I booked from the Hilton website directly and found it to be way cheaper than other websites such as Expedia. Those other websites also don't give you the option of booking 5 to a room. :confused3
 
We're also from CT and planning to drive in May. Thought we'd save money by staying midweek, but am finding that the hotel rates for Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are twice as high (or more), so we're going to check in on a Thursday. Thursday seems to be considered weekend rates when you stay over a Friday night.

DH really wants some space from the kids, so decided to look at places with suites -- found the Embassy Suites, a chain we have never stayed at but it looks nice on-line. Rate is $159-$169, but with the free full breakfast for all 4 of us (plus there's some evening snacks and drinks included) it's the same as staying at a Marriott Courtyard and paying for the breakfasts -- plus Courtyard would be a room, so DD would be sleeping in a sleeping bag. There are 2 in DC that seems relatively close to the sites we'd be going to, and it has great reviews on tripadvisor. Anyone been?


We stayed at the one in Dupont Circle (we LOVE ES's), and it was very nice. However, my gf stayed at the one in Chevy Chase (metro right below), and even though it was farther out, it took the same amount of time to get downtown on the metro, because we had to walk to it. It was also $100 a night cheaper than the Dupont Circle location.
 
I've got to know how you kept getting the price to go down. Did you just keep checking the web site? I know I booked from the Hilton website directly and found it to be way cheaper than other websites such as Expedia. Those other websites also don't give you the option of booking 5 to a room. :confused3

I just kept going to their site to see what was available - that was on a AAA rate, though. Back in February, we saw 180 and booked. A few weeks later it was at 150, so I called and knocked it down some.

I hope you can find a great price. Washington seems to be a popular destination right now. When are you going?
 
I am thinking about trying Priceline. You can select "neighborhoods". Which ones would be the best to choose, Dupont Circle or whatever??
 
Also from CT and looking to do a couple of days in DC on the way back from VA during 4th of July week. Hotel prices seem really high that week (obviously) and I was ready to just book something outside the city and either drive or Metro in. Then I found a weird combination of dates/rates at the Courtyard NW in the Dupont Circle area. One night 7/1 was $190/night one night 7/2 was $140/night but when I put in two nights 7/1 & 7/2 it came up @ $104/night which has to be the most bizarre thing I have ever seen booking hotels. Does anyone have any idea how this is possible? I went ahead and booked both nights...
 
Also from CT and looking to do a couple of days in DC on the way back from VA during 4th of July week. Hotel prices seem really high that week (obviously) and I was ready to just book something outside the city and either drive or Metro in. Then I found a weird combination of dates/rates at the Courtyard NW in the Dupont Circle area. One night 7/1 was $190/night one night 7/2 was $140/night but when I put in two nights 7/1 & 7/2 it came up @ $104/night which has to be the most bizarre thing I have ever seen booking hotels. Does anyone have any idea how this is possible? I went ahead and booked both nights...

It could be that they have a 2-night (or more) special with a lower rate. Sometimes rates are lower when you book more than one night as (obviously) the hotels would prefer that you stay longer. Nice find!
 
Also from CT and looking to do a couple of days in DC on the way back from VA during 4th of July week. Hotel prices seem really high that week (obviously) and I was ready to just book something outside the city and either drive or Metro in. Then I found a weird combination of dates/rates at the Courtyard NW in the Dupont Circle area. One night 7/1 was $190/night one night 7/2 was $140/night but when I put in two nights 7/1 & 7/2 it came up @ $104/night which has to be the most bizarre thing I have ever seen booking hotels. Does anyone have any idea how this is possible? I went ahead and booked both nights...

I have noticed that with a lot of hotels in DC, depending on the day of the week the rates are different. I am going to look at the rates for the Courtyard you found for our dates.
 
I just kept going to their site to see what was available - that was on a AAA rate, though. Back in February, we saw 180 and booked. A few weeks later it was at 150, so I called and knocked it down some.

I hope you can find a great price. Washington seems to be a popular destination right now. When are you going?

We are going in mid July. I think it is the most expensive travel time ever!:sad2: It was the only time we had available. I will keep going back and checking the price. Thanks for the tip. We aren't AAA members so that won't work for us.
 
We are going in mid July. I think it is the most expensive travel time ever!:sad2: It was the only time we had available. I will keep going back and checking the price. Thanks for the tip. We aren't AAA members so that won't work for us.

DC hotel prices are pretty high to begin with unless you do priceline or hotwire type thigs.

I've had tremendous luck with priceline in DC. I love DC and have gone about 10-12 times! We've stayed in Crystal City, Chevy Chase, Arlington and many hotels in the downtown Convention Center area. Priceline has given us the Reniassance and the Grand Hyatt as well as the Courtyard by Marriott.
 
We were just there for the Cherry BLossom festival in early April (it was packed) and we stayed here:
http://www.lenfantplazahotel.com/

We got a package deal that included the breakfast buffet (really good) and DC metro passes. It was a very nice hotel...within walking distance of the Smithsonian museums (entrance to it was right across from the Castle). Their fee was $27 for parking overnight and it was easy on and off from the Parkway.

The thing about DC....you think it's so inexpensive because it's free admission for things but it's outrageous to eat there. Food is so EXPENSIVE! From food carts to restaurants!

We also went last summer and did the "money Tour". The tour is free but you have to go and get the tickets early in the morning.. It was very cool !
http://www.moneyfactory.gov/locations/section.cfm/20/21

we also got lucky enough to do the White House Garden tour! Again..tix are free but you have to go and get them early!
HEre are spring dates but if you keep checking..they will probably offer summer ones too!
http://dc.about.com/od/governmentbuildings/a/WhiteHouseGarde.htm



Here's a couple pics to get you all excited! ;)

n663999772_1616305_1734877.jpg


n663999772_1616311_7459230.jpg
 
The Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria is going to be a better choice if you want to come back to the hotel at night and do some walking around or evening touring. It's a beautiful looking hotel in a great area. You will have a longer Metro ride and more $$$ to get into town.

The Convention Center area is fine. It's just okay. Not unsafe, but not one of the better places within DC (again NOT bad either). I would probably not walk around there much after "working" hours of people who work in DC. I would then take a cab to anywhere I wanted to go.

As another poster said, you can't go wrong with Embassy Suites.

The Chevy Chase one is also nice but, again, a longer ride in each day via Metro.
With 2 pre-teens and DH and me, we're more than happy to walk around DC during the day and after dinner just chill out in our suite. We'll have our car, so can drive around in the evening if we'd like, but the convenience of being in the center of the sites we want to see is a great feature for us.:hippie:
 
We were just there for the Cherry BLossom festival in early April (it was packed) and we stayed here:
http://www.lenfantplazahotel.com/

We got a package deal that included the breakfast buffet (really good) and DC metro passes. It was a very nice hotel...within walking distance of the Smithsonian museums (entrance to it was right across from the Castle). Their fee was $27 for parking overnight and it was easy on and off from the Parkway.

The thing about DC....you think it's so inexpensive because it's free admission for things but it's outrageous to eat there. Food is so EXPENSIVE! From food carts to restaurants!

We also went last summer and did the "money Tour". The tour is free but you have to go and get the tickets early in the morning.. It was very cool !
http://www.moneyfactory.gov/locations/section.cfm/20/21

we also got lucky enough to do the White House Garden tour! Again..tix are free but you have to go and get them early!
HEre are spring dates but if you keep checking..they will probably offer summer ones too!
http://dc.about.com/od/governmentbuildings/a/WhiteHouseGarde.htm



Here's a couple pics to get you all excited! ;)

n663999772_1616305_1734877.jpg


n663999772_1616311_7459230.jpg

GREAT PHOTOS! And thank you for the links. Congrats. on doing the White House Garden Tour -- No further dates listed and we're going in May, but will check out the Botanical Garden if able instead. Just contacted our Congressmen and am waiting to see if we can get tickets for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing tour (because family wouldn't be happy waiting in line at 6 AM or even 8 AM) and we have tickets for the Capitol Tour. Happy travels everyone.
 












Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE











DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top