Help me decide where to stay on our Washington DC vacation!

[Antonia]

We can get a good rate at the Westin in Alexandria. We could even get two rooms and that would be good.
How far is Alexandria by Metro and/or by car from DC?
Anyone familiar with the Westin in Alexandria?

Pros and cons of staying in Alexandria vs DC? We are only there 2 nights 3 days with 2 adult couples and a grandson (9 months old).

 

[live4christp1]

Our scout group went summer of 2008 and we stayed at the Comfort Inn (or Suites - don't remember) in Springfield, VA. We used the metro in and out of DC, Springfield/Franconia is the last stop so the cars were empty usually when we got on - that was a plus with a pretty big group. Rooms were nice, area felt very safe. Hotel had a free shuttle to and from the station. We just called ahead when we were getting close to the station and the shuttle would be waiting.

 

[Disney Deb]

I can't comment on Alexandria, Virginia....but we always stay at an Embassy Suites in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Lovely, clean hotel...attached to a mall and Metro stop (red line, I think). Also, complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast. We went on the TripAdvisor website and this hotel was ranked VERY high for hotels in the D.C. area. We were very pleased.

Debbie

 

[ead79]

I have stayed at the Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria twice on visits to DC. It is right across the street from the King Street Metro station. So I'd say that if the Westin is near a Metro station, then it would likely be a good location.

You can't always rely on how far a hotel says they are from a Metro station, but Metro does have a neat feature where you can put in an address, and it will tell you the nearest Metro rail and bus stops to that address. Here's the link, so you can put in the Westin's address: http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/servicenearby/index.cfm

While it might take you a half hour during the busier times of day to get into the city on the Metro, that is a MAJORLY better choice than driving. Trust me when I say that you want to avoid driving in the city at all costs. Traffic is terrible, and the drivers are crazy. You can get around much quicker and with much less hassle on the Metro. Plus, it goes to nearly every tourist destination you might want to see.

 

[librarygal]

The Westin is in a new development across from the Metro that includes condos, restaurants, shops and office buildings. I believe the patent office is now there. It is not in Old Town but you can take a free shuttle from the Metro. It is a five minute walk to Metro (King Street) and about 25-30 minutes to downtown.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I just got back yesterday from 13 days in "DC" helping my cousin and his family move in to their new house.

WE stayed at the best hotel! Staybridge Suites in Mclean, VA. It was about maybe 10 minutes by car from DC and not far from the Metro.

They have an amazing Breakfast everyday, the rooms are awesome all 2 room suites. Great pool with a lifeguard. FREE internet everyday!

Plus every Tues, Weds and Thurs besides an amazing Breakfast....they have dinner too! With complimentary wine and beer.

Not sure of the cost but for us, it was really worth it. Especially with the kids.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[PatsMom]

We are staying at L'Enfant Plaza hotel in October. A friend stayed there and said it was quite nice. They have a Metro stop in the basement and the Smithsonian is very close. Most of the major monuments are 1 to 2 metro stops or a fairly short walk away.

If anyone knows their way around DC and is familiar with the hotel, I'd love to hear any comments they might have. The only other time I've been to DC it was on business and the conference I was attending was at the Four Seasons. I'd love to stay there again but at over $600 per night it is a bit rich for my blood!

 

[golfgal]

We stayed at the Westin and honestly I wouldn't recommend staying there. The rooms were nice as was the hotel but no free breakfast, no free internet, the restaurant in the hotel is VERY expensive, like $150 for 6 people for breakfast. It is a nice area and we LOVED Old Town. If you can stay at the Embassy Suites or the other hotels near the Metro station I would recommend that. Staying in Old Town isn't as convenient to the Metro but getting to Old Town in the evening is easy. I HIGHLY recommend staying in Alexandria, just not at the Westin.

Taking the metro in was a breeze. I don't know exactly how long it took because there were so many different stops that we took each morning but it wasn't long. Also, it is 2 quick stops from Reagan International so you can take the metro from the airport too.