DC area hotels?

[java]

im thinking of a quick DC trip with my teenagers. I thought we could stay in the Arlington area and just take the train in?

Any thoughts on good places to stay? I will have a car so free parking is a plus.

We are Smithsonian members and I think I saw something about free parking?but maybe not

 

[JaxDad]

I used to stay at the Residence Inn in Pentagon City fairly often. It does not have free parking, although I remember a guest telling me he found free street parking in the area. It is convenient to a couple Metro stops, plus lots of restaurants and shopping, including a nice grocery store.

 

[dotfurio]

I've only been to DC once, so I don't know a whole lot but I can share what we did. Arlington was recommended by friends but we ended up staying at Homewood Suites DC Capitol Navy Yard because we could get a room with 2 beds and sofa bed so the kids didn't have to share. It was a nice and newer hotel. It's right by the ballpark. There's a grocery store near by and the metro station is very close. The only downside is that there weren't a lot of restaurant options so we'd eat dinner before heading to the hotel. There is a fee for parking, but we didn't have a car except a rental one night so it wasn't a big deal for us.

 

[okeydokey]

LASt trip we stayed at Residence Inn Pentagon City. Walking distance to the Metro. Parking can be pricey though. We have also stayed at Spring Hill suites Old Town Alexandria. Free parking but you had to shuttle to the Metro. The closer hotel at the Pentagon was worth the extra cost.

 

[Christine]

I've only been to DC once, so I don't know a whole lot but I can share what we did. Arlington was recommended by friends but we ended up staying at Homewood Suites DC Capitol Navy Yard because we could get a room with 2 beds and sofa bed so the kids didn't have to share. It was a nice and newer hotel. It's right by the ballpark. There's a grocery store near by and the metro station is very close. The only downside is that there weren't a lot of restaurant options so we'd eat dinner before heading to the hotel. There is a fee for parking, but we didn't have a car except a rental one night so it wasn't a big deal for us.

Not sure when you went, but the restaurant situation has changed IMMENSELY (I work in the area). The area is just booming. And about a mile or two south, they've now completed The Wharf project so that also has some places to eat/things to do (although I would not walk from Navy Yard). I work in the area so I've seen it change so rapidly. It's a good area to stay in.

It's going to be hard to get free parking anywhere unless you go farther out into the suburbs, such as Springfield, VA (which is on the Metro line). I'd just suck it up that you'd have to pay parking at a closer in hotel.

As for the Smithsonian membership parking, I believe it would only be free in lots the Smithsonian might own (for instance at the zoo), but generally the museums don't have any parking.

 

[java]

Not sure when you went, but the restaurant situation has changed IMMENSELY (I work in the area). The area is just booming. And about a mile or two south, they've now completed The Wharf project so that also has some places to eat/things to do (although I would not walk from Navy Yard). I work in the area so I've seen it change so rapidly. It's a good area to stay in.

It's going to be hard to get free parking anywhere unless you go farther out into the suburbs, such as Springfield, VA (which is on the Metro line). I'd just suck it up that you'd have to pay parking at a closer in hotel.

As for the Smithsonian membership parking, I believe it would only be free in lots the Smithsonian might own (for instance at the zoo), but generally the museums don't have any parking.

Any suggestions on where to stay? I’ll just suck up the parking fee. I’m used to nyc and Boston rates so it shouldn’t be too bad

 

[dotfurio]

Not sure when you went, but the restaurant situation has changed IMMENSELY (I work in the area). The area is just booming. And about a mile or two south, they've now completed The Wharf project so that also has some places to eat/things to do (although I would not walk from Navy Yard). I work in the area so I've seen it change so rapidly. It's a good area to stay in.

Good to know! We loved the area except the restaurant options and would stay there again. We were there the summer before last, so it’s been well over a year.

 

[mmouse37]

When are you planning on going? The Marine Corps Marathon will be held October 26 to 28. It is one of the largest marathons in the country and hotels have been hard to come by for months in the Arlington area.

We are going to the Marathon (my dad ran 25 consecutive MCM's and is returning as a volunteer) this year and are staying at the Hyatt Place Arlington Courthouse. Can't say anything about this hotel as we never stayed here before but was all we good snag.

MJ

 

[SueInBoston]

My daughter lives in Arlington, I stay in Red Lion Rosslyn when I visit her. Nothing fancy, but clean, convenient and free parking!!

 

[AppleDumpling]

I used to stay at the Residence Inn in Pentagon City fairly often.

I’ve stayed there a number of times as well. They used to have free parking several years ago, but not anymore. I’ve also stayed at the RI in Crystal City, one metro stop away.

Another good place we found is the Marriott Courtyard in Rosslyn. Reasonably priced, nice neighborhood, close to metro, restaurants and stores. We were just there last month and parking was $20 per night, which isn’t bad considering many hotels in downtown DC charge up to $100/nt for parking.

 

[jen7233]

We've stayed at Crystal City Gateway Marriott two years ago. It was super convenient Metro access just a quick walk and lots of convenient shops nearby and you don't even need to go outside. We didn't have a car though, shuttled from DCA. What I like about staying closer in are the super convenient Metro access and all the shops. I wouldn't stay in areas that are end of the line Metro stops, ie Springfield in my opinion. Not that the places are bad, it's just that I would want more convenience and to be closer in if I came on a visit.

I've also stayed two weeks at the Residence Inn Merrifield while we were moving. It was far from the Dunn Loring Metro, I guess one could walk it but again, not super convenient if you come on a trip, but they did have a free shuttle service and you go ask the front desk when you want to go to the Metro, and called them from your cell at the Metro when you wanted to be picked up. Parking was free, and there was a little shopping center right next door for Starbucks, CVS, Aldi, etc. However, if going for vacationing I would stay further in, Arlington, Alexandria, Crystal City, Rosslyn etc. something that's just a few stops in from where you plan to Metro to and ease in walk to the station.

 

[Christine]

Good to know! We loved the area except the restaurant options and would stay there again. We were there the summer before last, so it’s been well over a year.

There's quite a bit more there, but most of it is "fast casual." Then as you walk down by the water, there are many small table service restaurants. They aren't large places though.

 

[Christine]

Any suggestions on where to stay? I’ll just suck up the parking fee. I’m used to nyc and Boston rates so it shouldn’t be too bad

Any of the hotels at the Navy Yard are fine. Looks as if the Residence Inn gets the best reviews of the group of them, but I think all are fine based on what I hear from people who travel to where I work and stay there.

 

[Christine]

My daughter lives in Arlington, I stay in Red Lion Rosslyn when I visit her. Nothing fancy, but clean, convenient and free parking!!

I always hear good things about this place and what a deal on the parking!

 

[TexasBee]

We've stayed at Residence Inn Courthouse - loved the hotel and very easy access to the metro, cute little restaurants right on the square. We've also stayed at the Embassy Suites in Old Town - not as nice a hotel but also easy access and there's a Whole Foods out the back door plus a great little local restaurant called Table Talk.

 

[Poohforyou]

My daughter goes to George Washington University which is in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of DC. We're there a lot and love that neighborhood. It's within walking distance of quite a bit and has a metro stop.

We've stayed at State Plaza Hotel, Hotel Lombardy, The River Inn, Westin Georgetown and Marriott Courtyard. State Plaza has the biggest rooms and they all have a kitchen. All are nice and I'd stay at any of them again.

The university has parking in their Science and Engineering Building that anyone can park in. It's cheaper than a hotel. There are also lots of Colonial parking garages around with cheaper rates than hotels.

 

[EscalatorKid]

My sister and I stayed at the Hyatt Centric Arlington. I liked it, and it was a short walk around the corner from the hotel to the Rosslyn Metro Station and a quick transfer to anywhere in the city.

The Bus Station is right at Rosslyn Station, too, so we boarded the 5A towards Dulles for the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum.

For the price, Hyatt Centric was nice. We basically spent the entirety of our day at the museums in DC and then came back to sleep and shower.

I didn't drive; I flew into BWI and took the MTA into Union Station and transferred to the Metro to Rosslyn. On the way back, I took Amtrak to the airport.

I also didn't see much in the way of free parking anywhere. You'd be better off taking the Metro.

Also, when you go out back of the Air and Space museum, there's a bunch of food trucks that line up. They're awesome and so much better and cheaper than what the Smothsonians offer. I went to Taste of Persia and it was amazing. For under $10.