D.C. questions ADDED A COUPLE

[NotUrsula]

Drop Dulles and Laurel; no Metro station in either one.

Which locations in Bethesda and Falls Church? There are several Marriotts in those areas.

BTW, what are your dates? You could be having issues because of an event conflict.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Bethesda is on Marinelli Rd

and the Tysons Corner one is on Westwood Center Dr

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

ok - here's the list now...

Bethesda
Dulles Airport
Laurel
W. Falls Church (least expensive one)

the Alexandria choice I have doesn't have all our dates available - we could stick with that one & jump hotels for 2 days if need be

I live in Alexandria and I highly reccommend staying here
out of those 4 options, I guess I'd go with W Falls Church, but there is nothing there...Laurel and Dulles are waaaaay out there ....

 

[NotUrsula]

Bethesda is on Marinelli Rd

and the Tysons Corner one is on Westwood Center Dr

The one on Marinelli is actually in Rockville, MD; it is right next to the White Flint Metro Station, which is good. However, White Flint is 12 stops out from Metro Center, which is the first stop that is going to put you in tourist territory on the Red line. That's about a 20-minute ride each way.

The one on Westwood Center is the Residence Inn Tyson's Corner, and it's technically in Vienna, VA. The closest metro to it is Dunn Loring, on the Orange Line, and they have a free shuttle to reach it. Again, that's 12 stops to Metro Center, but the distance is a bit longer, about 25 minutes.

The one in MD is going to have easier access to the Metro, but the one in VA is on a better line for tourists (more tourist areas on the Orange and Blue lines than on the Red.) Personally, I don't care for the Tyson's Corner area; it's the biggest suburban office park that I've ever had the misfortune to encounter, but people do live there, so it isn't dead on weekends. I'm afraid I've never stayed at either hotel, so I can't personally give that kind of opinion.

 

[tw1nsmom]

We stayed at this Residence Inn by Marriott a couple years ago:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wasdk-residence-inn-alexandria-old-town/

It's on Duke st. in Old Town Alexandria and is only a couple blocks away from the King Street Metro station. Another added bonus is that it's practically next door to a Whole Foods. With the full kitchen we were able to save money by cooking a couple nights. We didn't actually cook. Whole foods has an extensive assortment of prepared foods. We really just heated things up. There was also a free full breakfast every morning. They do charge extra for parking, but it sounds like you're not planning on having a car.

Old Town has a lot to see and tons of great restaurants.

 

[luvmyfam444]

I live in Alexandria and I highly reccommend staying here
out of those 4 options, I guess I'd go with W Falls Church, but there is nothing there...Laurel and Dulles are waaaaay out there ....

SO what's your address? we'd be happy to stay there..

Do you know anything about the new Springhill Suites in Alex? (6065 Richmond hwy) Its supposed to open in May sometime - but evidently its not open yet 'cause noone will answer the phone. We have ressies there -but have no clue how close it is to a metro - or if it'll even open...

 

[luvmyfam444]

The one on Westwood Center is the Residence Inn Tyson's Corner, and it's technically in Vienna, VA. The closest metro to it is Dunn Loring, on the Orange Line, and they have a free shuttle to reach it. Again, that's 12 stops to Metro Center, but the distance is a bit longer, about 25 minutes.

The one in MD is going to have easier access to the Metro, but the one in VA is on a better line for tourists (more tourist areas on the Orange and Blue lines than on the Red.) Personally, I don't care for the Tyson's Corner area; it's the biggest suburban office park that I've ever had the misfortune to encounter, but people do live there, so it isn't dead on weekends. I'm afraid I've never stayed at either hotel, so I can't personally give that kind of opinion.

This is what's driving me crazy about trying to figure out where to go. There is no clear answer about getting places.

I called the hotel @ Tysons Corner - nice lady - she says there is a bus that runs to metro staion 3mi away - she said w. falls church - she said bus doesn't run on weekends. HOWEVER I talked with someone that worked @ the metro & she said that a bus runs all the time 'cause its busy Tyson corner & she said the closest stop to the hotel would be the Dunn Loring one & then get a bus 2T to Leeword(something like that) (2 blocks to get there)

SOOOO it's hard to know who is right No wonder I'm stressed over all this!

So for now I'm guessing we just budget in money for a taxi each day just in case & keep our fingers crossed.

BTW - the differences between the the two hotels is $45 - the one in Bethesda is fanicer (& no b'fast) & the other is cheaper (but older)

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

SO what's your address? we'd be happy to stay there..

Do you know anything about the new Springhill Suites in Alex? (6065 Richmond hwy) Its supposed to open in May sometime - but evidently its not open yet 'cause noone will answer the phone. We have ressies there -but have no clue how close it is to a metro - or if it'll even open...

ha!!!
That area of Alexandria is technically not Alexandria, but actually Fairfax County (even though the address says Alexandria---don't let that fool you)... That part of Route 1 is kind of trashy...if you can stay in Old Town Alexandria, that is where you REALLY want to be...close metro access to DC...Old Town is gorgeous and very walkable... lots to do...
If that Springhill Suites is where I think it is, I would pass...

 

[NotUrsula]

This is what's driving me crazy about trying to figure out where to go. There is no clear answer about getting places.

I called the hotel @ Tysons Corner - nice lady - she says there is a bus that runs to metro staion 3mi away - she said w. falls church - she said bus doesn't run on weekends. HOWEVER I talked with someone that worked @ the metro & she said that a bus runs all the time 'cause its busy Tyson corner & she said the closest stop to the hotel would be the Dunn Loring one & then get a bus 2T to Leeword(something like that) (2 blocks to get there)

SOOOO it's hard to know who is right No wonder I'm stressed over all this!

So for now I'm guessing we just budget in money for a taxi each day just in case & keep our fingers crossed.

BTW - the differences between the the two hotels is $45 - the one in Bethesda is fanicer (& no b'fast) & the other is cheaper (but older)

You might plug in the addresses of the hotels and the metro stations in Google Streetview and "walk" your way down the route; it will show you what you're dealing with. I did that with a trip last year when a hotel claimed that the station was just a couple of blocks away. I discovered that it was -- as the crow flew. What they were not telling me was that there was an interstate between the hotel and the station, and getting across it required going around by nearly 2 miles.

Have you just shopped prices generally for the area? You probably won't beat your employee discount, but time counts, too, so if you can swing a hotel that isn't back-of-beyond, it might be worth it. Also, as I said before, consider staying near BWI your first night. You'll have to do the math on whether or not it's cheaper once you figure in the difficulty of weekend transport to DC, but it might work in your favor.

DC is one of those places where the attractions are generally low-cost, but the transit and the hotels are quite expensive, as is food if you cannot cook some meals in. It does kind of even out much of the time, but you really have to choose your dates very carefully.

 

[luvmyfam444]

You might plug in the addresses of the hotels and the metro stations in Google Streetview and "walk" your way down the route; it will show you what you're dealing with. I did that with a trip last year when a hotel claimed that the station was just a couple of blocks away. I discovered that it was -- as the crow flew. What they were not telling me was that there was an interstate between the hotel and the station, and getting across it required going around by nearly 2 miles.

Have you just shopped prices generally for the area? You probably won't beat your employee discount, but time counts, too, so if you can swing a hotel that isn't back-of-beyond, it might be worth it. Also, as I said before, consider staying near BWI your first night. You'll have to do the math on whether or not it's cheaper once you figure in the difficulty of weekend transport to DC, but it might work in your favor.

DC is one of those places where the attractions are generally low-cost, but the transit and the hotels are quite expensive, as is food if you cannot cook some meals in. It does kind of even out much of the time, but you really have to choose your dates very carefully.

Yes, we've priced out the Hampton Inn- Dulles has the best rate (well, other than like a Motel 6). Hampton runs a shuttle to Dulles where we can get the Metro there.

We can stay near BWI - cheaply but I thought it would be better for us to get out of there since it'll be a Fri. I figured we'd just hang around the airport - eat supper - whatever - til a bit later (since our flight lands around 4) & then head out on the bus

 

[luvmyfam444]

Didn't know about Google streetfinder - thanks for the tip - I'll check it out!

 

[Tina]

If you don't mind a (new) Courtyard Marriott, I'd choose the Dunn Loring hotel over anything in Tysons. Dunn Loring has free parking, the hotel is only a few months old, and its right next to the Dunn Loring (orange line) station.

Here is a link to the hotel:
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/iadcy-courtyard-dunn-loring-fairfax/

 

[Tina]

Yes, we've priced out the Hampton Inn- Dulles has the best rate (well, other than like a Motel 6). Hampton runs a shuttle to Dulles where we can get the Metro there.

You won't be able to catch the Metro at Dulles for several more years. The silver line has just begun construction. Only National airport has Metro access.

 

[NotUrsula]

Yes, we've priced out the Hampton Inn- Dulles has the best rate (well, other than like a Motel 6). Hampton runs a shuttle to Dulles where we can get the Metro there.

That's got to be a mistake -- there's no Metro station anywhere near Dulles. They are building a line extension out there, but the airport station isn't scheduled to open until 2016.

You can get a Metrobus from Dulles, but it takes nearly an hour each way (assuming no traffic backups), and the regular Metrorail visitor passes are not good for the bus; you have to buy a separate ticket.

 

[TDC Nala]

The one on Westwood Center is the Residence Inn Tyson's Corner, and it's technically in Vienna, VA. The closest metro to it is Dunn Loring, on the Orange Line, and they have a free shuttle to reach it. Again, that's 12 stops to Metro Center, but the distance is a bit longer, about 25 minutes.

I ride the Metro from Dunn Loring to Federal Triangle (the stop after Metro Center) daily. It takes 45 minutes, not 25. That's during rush hour when trains run every 6 minutes. Outside rush hour, they run about every 12-15 minutes. The station is 12 miles from downtown Washington DC.

If you book the Courtyard at Dunn Loring you can walk to the Metro station, no bus or shuttle would be necessary. You would want to check www.wmata.com for train schedules and to see if there is track work on the weekend. That can add 30 minutes or more to the train ride. I will say that there are no restaurants around here (Dunn Loring metro) within easy walking distance. It is a busy quasi-urban area. There were a few fast food places but they were torn down and there is going to be some rebuilding going on, but it will take time. There may be a restaurant in the hotel, but that'll be it unless you choose to take the train somewhere like Ballston that has restaurants within walking distance.

There is no Metro station at Dulles Airport or anywhere near it.

 

[luvmyfam444]

If you don't mind a (new) Courtyard Marriott, I'd choose the Dunn Loring hotel over anything in Tysons. Dunn Loring has free parking, the hotel is only a few months old, and its right next to the Dunn Loring (orange line) station.

Here is a link to the hotel:
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/iadcy-courtyard-dunn-loring-fairfax/

Thanks - new is fine - just not usually affordable - lol

This one won't take 5 people in a room

 

[luvmyfam444]

You won't be able to catch the Metro at Dulles for several more years. The silver line has just begun construction. Only National airport has Metro access.

Another example of false info then we got... we were told we'd be shuttled (by Hampton INN) back to Dulles airport & then catch the Metro from there to wherever we needed to go UGH!

 

[luvmyfam444]

That's got to be a mistake -- there's no Metro station anywhere near Dulles. They are building a line extension out there, but the airport station isn't scheduled to open until 2016.

You can get a Metrobus from Dulles, but it takes nearly an hour each way (assuming no traffic backups), and the regular Metrorail visitor passes are not good for the bus; you have to buy a separate ticket.

Yep - that's it - the BUS - a way to still get into DC & the rest of the subway system without having to have a taxi....

 

[luvmyfam444]

I ride the Metro from Dunn Loring to Federal Triangle (the stop after Metro Center) daily. It takes 45 minutes, not 25. That's during rush hour when trains run every 6 minutes. Outside rush hour, they run about every 12-15 minutes. The station is 12 miles from downtown Washington DC.

If you book the Courtyard at Dunn Loring you can walk to the Metro station, no bus or shuttle would be necessary. You would want to check www.wmata.com for train schedules and to see if there is track work on the weekend. That can add 30 minutes or more to the train ride. I will say that there are no restaurants around here (Dunn Loring metro) within easy walking distance. It is a busy quasi-urban area. There were a few fast food places but they were torn down and there is going to be some rebuilding going on, but it will take time. There may be a restaurant in the hotel, but that'll be it unless you choose to take the train somewhere like Ballston that has restaurants within walking distance.

There is no Metro station at Dulles Airport or anywhere near it.

THanks for the info - that Courtyard doesn't handle 5 in a room - so its out

We don't plan to eat near the hotels - we plan to eat around (in)the Smithsonian - all we want to do is sleep & stay gone most of the day - til the Smithsonian closes @ 9ish.

AND not pay $100 +++ a nite....

 

[bluesaturn]

Yep - that's it - the BUS - a way to still get into DC & the rest of the subway system without having to have a taxi....

I think taking a bus from the airport to DC everyday would really stink. It would take forever. I would think you would be better off with a long metro ride from MD or VA.