Can anyone recommend a hotel in Washington, DC?

[safetymom]

Crystal City Marriott. It is a short metro ride away from the Mall.

 

[Tina]

thanks i also found the courtyard by marriott dunn loring (sp?) which has been raved about by several DISers on other DC threads, and although the price is a little higher, it is 1 block from a metro stop and parking is free. we might be going with that one. i can get it for $173.00 per night with AAA discount through the marriott website, and it's $199.00 per night on expedia. we're jazzed about the trip! anyone got any must-sees?

I was just about to suggest this one. Its not far from Tysons, but not in the middle of the construction traffic chaos. For anyone wanting to stay a bit further out and still wanting Metro access, this one is the way to go. Its practically brand new too.

 

[PatsMom]

Unlike a PP, we enjoyed our stay at Loew's L'Enfant Plaza. The room was clean and spacious. Eating choices were a bit limited but we ate at the museums anyhow. The location was awesome - museums practically across the street, metro stop right in the basement of the hotel. Our goal was the highlights of the monuments and spending time in the museums so the location worked out great for us. Parking is expensive and needs to be included in your budget as others have mentioned.

 

[MrsPete]

We "won" the Marriott Residence Inn on Vermont Ave (5 blocks from the White House, 1 block from McPherson Square Metro station) for $50 a night. It was an older property and didn't have a pool, but for that price I was more than satisfied. We were in a studio, but it still had a full-sized kitchen, which was wonderful -- and the CVS on the ground floor sold basic groceries. It also serves a full-fledged buffet breakfast; food is expensive in DC, so we were very pleased to have breakfast taken care of, especially since our per-night room was so low. DC can be loud, so I was pleased that we were placed on a high floor -- well above the traffic noise. Service at this Residence Inn was also wonderful. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

On our next trip we were with a group and had a group price of $99/night at the Park Pheonix, which is a block from Union Station. Since we arrived on the train, this location was perfect. We were just blocks from the Capitol Building and the new Capitol Visitors' Center. We particularly liked being able to walk just a block over to Union Station, which has a good selection of shops and restaurants (ranging from inexpensive to moderate). Union Station also has a Metro station in the basement -- no matter where you stay in DC, you need to be near the Metro. The Park Phoenix is an historic hotel, which is code for "small rooms". We found the size perfectly adequate, if not spacious. The decor was nice, and I'd stay there again -- in fact, I'm already planning to do so! Their bar is quite popular with the locals, and it was hopping every night. If this doesn't appeal to you, ask for a high floor and you'll avoid the noise. We didn't eat in their restaurant, but it looked good. Service here was outstanding.

 

[Swimalie]

thanks i also found the courtyard by marriott dunn loring (sp?) which has been raved about by several DISers on other DC threads, and although the price is a little higher, it is 1 block from a metro stop and parking is free. we might be going with that one. i can get it for $173.00 per night with AAA discount through the marriott website, and it's $199.00 per night on expedia. we're jazzed about the trip! anyone got any must-sees?

Dunn Loring is still out by Vienna (Tyson's Corner) but one or 2 stops closer to DC. If you have a car, and have to drive to the Metro, you will have to pay to park at Metro. Parking for the day can be expensive and is in addition to your Metro ride. I think I priced a trip to downtown for 3 of us at around $20 round trip from Tyson's (the farthest west station). If you are planning on doing a lot downtown it might be better for you to look in to hotels in Crystal City or Pentagon City area and save the money to have to park at Metro. There are several Metro stops there that you can walk to and plenty of hotels and lots to do near there and you are closer to DC. If you want to drive to downtown on a weekend, the Reagan Bldg has parking for $10, I think. And it's close to a lot of things (I believe it's on Pennsylvania Ave). Plus it's a neat building to walk through and is near some restaurants.

As for what to do out my way (I'm about 30 miles west of DC) we have the Battle of Bull Run battlefield which we love to go to. It's a day adventure with hiking trails, house replicas to see and such. Luray Caverns are awesome and The Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum is incredible. All are ones I recommend.

Downtown, the usual places of Capital building, all the monuments and Smithsonian museums.

PM me if you want more help. I have only lived here for 3 years so I'm still somewhat a tourist and have learned my way around as one

 

[NUHuskies#1]

The Liaison or the Hyatt across the street. Liasion has roof-top pool- very cool. Walking distance to the Smithsonians and the Capital. Walking distance to Union Station for shopping and food court. We went in 2008 for a quick trip in August and has a terrific time.

AAA had a really good deal for the Liasion last summer. Check out their drive vacations.

 

[huskies90]

thanks i also found the courtyard by marriott dunn loring (sp?) which has been raved about by several DISers on other DC threads, and although the price is a little higher, it is 1 block from a metro stop and parking is free. we might be going with that one. i can get it for $173.00 per night with AAA discount through the marriott website, and it's $199.00 per night on expedia. we're jazzed about the trip! anyone got any must-sees?

We stayed here over 4th of July weekend 2009. It is a great hotel with free parking and the Metro is right across the street. Keep your eye on the Marriott website, the price may go down. we got ours with a AAA discount for well under $100 a night ($62/night) and I booked it on the Marriott website. If you have flexibility, try different days and durations. I think ours went way down if we booked 3 days. Also, if there is an event in the area on the day(s) you are staying, it may cause the price to go up.

 

[notsosnowwhite]

The Liaison or the Hyatt across the street. Liasion has roof-top pool- very cool. Walking distance to the Smithsonians and the Capital. Walking distance to Union Station for shopping and food court. We went in 2008 for a quick trip in August and has a terrific time.

AAA had a really good deal for the Liasion last summer. Check out their drive vacations.

Just returned from DC yesterday - Christmas / New Year's trip and stayed at Liasion. Quick walk Union Station for Metro, but we realized for what we wanted to see there were better choices where we could have stayed. We walked much, much more than we anticipated (which was fine - we love walking but it was COLD and our kids were more than a little tired) and Capitol Hill is a bit deserted at night - didn't feel as safe walking with small kids after dark. Lovely hotel, but I think there are better choices for where you are headed.

 

[ckoncurat]

We just stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn Capitol. It was three blocks from the air and space, free breakfast AND dinner on weeknights! Very nice place, parking was a little tights, but other than that we loved it.

 

[Aristocath]

Last year we split our trip and stayed at the Embassy Suites on 22nd near Dupont Circle and then the Omni Shoreham. We love the Omni Shoreham and will stay here again. The Embassy Suites was nice but that part of town shuts down at night and it can be difficult to find a restaurant that isn't a chain or pizza.

 

[momof1princess]

Dunn Loring is still out by Vienna (Tyson's Corner) but one or 2 stops closer to DC. If you have a car, and have to drive to the Metro, you will have to pay to park at Metro. Parking for the day can be expensive and is in addition to your Metro ride. I think I priced a trip to downtown for 3 of us at around $20 round trip from Tyson's (the farthest west station). If you are planning on doing a lot downtown it might be better for you to look in to hotels in Crystal City or Pentagon City area and save the money to have to park at Metro. There are several Metro stops there that you can walk to and plenty of hotels and lots to do near there and you are closer to DC. If you want to drive to downtown on a weekend, the Reagan Bldg has parking for $10, I think. And it's close to a lot of things (I believe it's on Pennsylvania Ave). Plus it's a neat building to walk through and is near some restaurants.

As for what to do out my way (I'm about 30 miles west of DC) we have the Battle of Bull Run battlefield which we love to go to. It's a day adventure with hiking trails, house replicas to see and such. Luray Caverns are awesome and The Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum is incredible. All are ones I recommend.

Downtown, the usual places of Capital building, all the monuments and Smithsonian museums.

PM me if you want more help. I have only lived here for 3 years so I'm still somewhat a tourist and have learned my way around as one

i do have one question, and i apologize to the OP for the hijack...how much is it to ride the metro? can we get a pass with a certain # of rides on it for the week? we're not planning to use our car once we get there, unless we absolutely HAVE to.

 

[Swimalie]

i do have one question, and i apologize to the OP for the hijack...how much is it to ride the metro? can we get a pass with a certain # of rides on it for the week? we're not planning to use our car once we get there, unless we absolutely HAVE to.

Good question. I actually haven't ridden Metro since I moved here since I can drive downtown and park cheaper than parking at a Metro garage and riding Metro. Here is their fare page http://www.wmata.com/fares/metrorail.cfm You can buy a SmartTrip card which is $30 and comes with $25 in fares on it but you probably won't use $25 worth of fares in 1 stay and it still costs $5. Although it is refillable so you could probably use it again on a later trip. You have to buy 1 card per rider so the SmartTrip could cost you a lot. I believe, from a former trip here, that you can get a fare card and put money on it, say $20 and use it until the money is used up. You just insert the money in the slot as you go through. You just have to make sure you have enough money on the fare card before you try to go through.

The amount per ride is based on where and when you are going so the farther away you ride, the more it costs. From Dunn Loring (since it was asked about) to Smithsonian would be $3.80 during peak times and $2.35 during non-peak. That's each way, per person.

I hope that helps. Sorry I don't know much more about DC. Oh... on a good note, if you are here on a Sunday or holiday, parking downtown is free and plentiful. Meters are not charged. That's when we often go down, too. They are starting to charge on Sat as of tomorrow.

 

[Aristocath]

i do have one question, and i apologize to the OP for the hijack...how much is it to ride the metro? can we get a pass with a certain # of rides on it for the week? we're not planning to use our car once we get there, unless we absolutely HAVE to.

There is not a set amount per ride like there is in NYC. The cost of the ride varies depending on how far you travel from stop to stop. You have to slide your metro card when you go in and then again when you exit the station.

We are a family of five and we got it down to a science. I hold all the cards and hand them out when we get to a station, everyone uses their card and hands it back to me. I hold them on the train and then pass them back to the kids before we exit the turnstiles at the station. Sort of complicated but we didn't want the kids to lose their cards.

We put about $20 or $25 on each card when we got them. It is a very easy system to use.

 

[momof1princess]

thank you both! i had no idea how the metro works and this information is VERY helpful!

 

[dex08]

If you'll be doing a lot of running around in one day, you can get a Metro Day Pass for $7.80. Since it's only good starting after 9:30a on weekdays (but good anytime on weekends) we would pay for a 1-way fare first thing in the morning and then get these for the rest of the day/night. Totally worth it!

Pass is valid for one day of unlimited Metrorail travel on weekdays after 9:30 a.m. or all day on Saturdays, Sundays, and some federal holidays (unlimited Metrorail travel begins after 9:30 a.m. on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day). Pass expires at the end of the operating day: 3 a.m. on weekends, midnight on weeknights.

 

[micheleq]

Another vote for the Residence Inn Capitol Hill -- just a few blocks bhind the Air & Space museum. We stayed here with our kids.

DH & I have also stayed at the Mayflower Hotel (downtown) & Hotel Topaz (Dupont Circle) on solo trips.

I used to live in DC if that counts! A great city to visit any tme of the year.

 

[marcyinPA]

The Washington Marriott at Metro Center is a great location. It's on 12th StNW between G and H. I put link in below to location info so you can see how it is situated in relation to other sites. We stayed there this past summer and walked to the Smithsonian's and it is also walking distance to a number of other locations ( Chinatown, Capitol, Spy Museum & also Whitehouse too ) but the best was Metro station just outside lobby doors to right. Couldn't beat that. There are a number of places to eat nearby too that are walking distance from diner-type ( Lincoln Diner) to bar/grill (Harry's at Hotel Harrington) to ESPN, Hardrock Cafe, etc. It's lobby had a nice casual type eatery but we didn't get a chance to try it out but the menu looked interesting and not excessively priced. I booked it via a bid on Priceline, with fees & taxes I think it was around $80 per night ( would have cost over 3x that amount had I booked via Marriott or other travel booking sites ).

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/wasmc-washington-marriott-at-metro-center/


http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/wasmc-washington-marriott-at-metro-center/


Best wishes

I second the Marriott at Metro Center. We stayed there a few years ago over Memorial Day weekend. We got a package deal which included breakfast and parking. The rates were extremely reasonable. We were able to cover a lot of territory from this location...we walked to the Natural History and American History Museums, and past the White House, and it was a very close walk to Ford's Theater and the house where Lincoln died. Lots of restaurants nearby. And the Metro is RIGHT there. We bought a weekend pass and took it everywhere...very easy to navigate and clean.

Enjoy!

 

[wowsmom]

Last year we split our trip and stayed at the Embassy Suites on 22nd near Dupont Circle and then the Omni Shoreham. We love the Omni Shoreham and will stay here again. The Embassy Suites was nice but that part of town shuts down at night and it can be difficult to find a restaurant that isn't a chain or pizza.

We stayed at the Omni Shoreham about 3½ years ago and loved it. The rooms were HUGE and they delivered free milk and cookies to our room for our kids every evening.

They are a bit far out from the museums, but close to a Metro stop, plus very close to a trolley stop (hop on, hop off type trolley).

At the time, we paid $99 per night due to a TravelZoo special (it was the week before Easter and we were there Wed-Fri, if I remember correctly).

 

[ctinct]

Just back today, as a matter of fact. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Capitol. It is really close (walking) to the Air and Space Museum. We did not go too far afield-only there for two days, and we have been several times before, so did not do the monumemts, just a few museums. There were not many places nearby to eat--a McDonalds, Quiznos, a deli, a Starbucks, and a pizza place were nearby. What we did was eat a cheapy Mickey D breakfast and then eat in the museums. (Which, by the way, depending on which museum, can be a little pricey.) Had I known about the hotel with the free meals, I would have checked it out. I think we got a good price, though. We paid $99 a night (three nights), although we did have to prepay, so if there is any chance your plans might change, this would not be a good option. I heard the woman checking in at the station next to us had a rate of $117.

Depending on how ambitious you are, you could walk to other things, too. I think the Smithsonian stop was only a stop or two from L'enfant Plaza. It puts you sort of in the middle of the mall, but we could have walked across from the other side of the Air and Space Museum.

As a previous poster mentioned, there is a one day pass for $7.80 that is good after 9:30 am. We found it was cheaper for us to buy single tickets. Off peak I think it was only $1.35 to $1.65 one way to the places we traveled to (Smithsonian Mall stop, the stop for the Holocaust Museum, and Union Station) and since the Smithsonian stop, at least, can occupy you for a full day if you are so inclined, it was not worth it to us. I think peak fares were also from 3-7, but only on weekdays. We even traveled from Shady Grove, MD from a relative's house off peak, which was a 30-40 min. ride to L'Enfant Plaza, for $2.35 or $2.65 (forget which).

Have fun making your plans.

 

[disneybound31]

This is a great thread---we go to DC every year in May for a special memorial, but this year we will also go in June to 'chaperone' my DS11 on an educational academic ambassador trip. So I need a central and affordable hotel for myself, my mother and DD7 for the 6 nights he will be there participating in the trip. We're making a 'girls trip' out of it and plan to do lots of the Smithsonian and the DC Zoo...as well as other things we have missed in the years before. Never a lack of things to do and see in DC!

The changing of the guard at Arlington is a must see at least once in life. I've almost never felt prouder of my country than while standing to witness this awe-insiring ceremony. It really gives you an appreciation of our country and the people whose shoulders we stand upon...