Hotels close to I-95 in Maryland

[Jaylie]

Hi all,
We will be driving home from WDW in October and we are wondering if anyone can recommend a hotel to stop at that's pretty much right off the highway (I-95) just past Washington, DC. We've stayed in Columbia, MD, at a Holiday Inn, but I can't remember the exit number. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks - Jaylie

 

[jez4100]

Have you tried the I-95 exit guide, the website is www.usastar.com. It is very handy.

 

[PortieOwner]

Is price a factor? Any other amenities required? I have not stayed there but the Holiday Inn in College Park, MD is certainly convenient. It is right off the Beltway on Rt. 1 (North) about 1 block off the freeway, next to the Ikea store (Ikea has a decent restaurant and a very cheap, 99 cent I believe, breakfast). Morning traffic should not be a problem, get onto the Beltway and head north and you should not see much rush hour until Baltimore (and you can avoid most of that by taking the Harbor Tunnel). You could also consider the Red Roof Inn in Laurel, MD at the MD 197 exit (west) off the BW (Baltimore Washington) Parkway. I have not stayed there but it's a convenient location and should be cheap.

There is yet another Holiday Inn in Beltsville/Calverton, which is a few miles north of the Beltway on I-95. That Holiday Inn is a bit farther off the freeway but only 2-3 blocks. Columbia is certainly a nicer area than College Park or Laurel or Calverton, but none of those areas are dangerous, just a tiny bit down market.

Portie

 

[Jaylie]

No, price and amenities are not issues for this stop. We will be arriving quite late, so safety is what I'm looking for.

 

[PortieOwner]

No, price and amenities are not issues for this stop. We will be arriving quite late, so safety is what I'm looking for.

Safety really should not be an issue in College Park, Beltsville, Greenbelt, Columbia or even most of Laurel. I did come across an I-95-style coupon book (available at rest stops and McDonalds) and it lists a few other places I didn't think of (with coupons). There is a Holiday Inn in Greenbelt ($79/89 with coupon). You exit on B-W parkway then exit immediately onto Greenbelt Road and the Holiday Inn is behind the large strip mall you would see right in front of you. There is a Sheraton ($99 coupon, Thurs-Sun) in Beltsville-Calverton (they call it College Park but it isn't), at the first exit north of the Beltway on I-95 (Powdermill Rd.). I have heard there is a really nice Homewood Suites (Hilton) in Colombia (about 1 mile off I-95 and quite convenient). Columbia is the most upscale area that will fit your search.

Portie

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Right off of I-95 in Columbia, at the exit for Route 175, there is a little Restaurant/Hotel park there. There is a gas station, McDonalds, Olive Garden, Bob Evans, TGIFridays and Applebees there. And the one hotel, which is very nice! It is the Homewood Suites by Hilton. The area if very safe and nice as well.

From HWY 95 take exit 41B - 175W towards Columbia - make a right onto 108 then your first left onto Lark Brown Rd. - continue on to Benson Dr. - hotel is on the right. It is a dead end drive back in there with all the restaurants in there and the hotel. I dont' even see where it changes from Lark Brown to Benson honestly. I have been there so many times. It seems like one little road to me and isn't but 1/4 mile long I would say really.

I would NOT, no matter what you read on any review boards, go to a place off of Rt. 1 (Washington Blvd) right there. It has a few decent hotels there, but that area is not nice. That is where the prison and trailer parks are (sorry if any of you live there). I grew up in Columbia and simple don't care for that area at all! That is where my best friend lived and it was way bad and yuck 20 years ago and hasn't gotten better IMO!

You can't go wrong with that stop there in Columbia! The have free breakfast as well

 

[katallo]

There is a Fairfield Inn Capitol Beltway and Sheraton on Powder Mill Road. Very convenient to 1-95 (near College Park exit). There are also quite a few hotels near Arundel Mills Mall (off of 295). Sheraton Columbia is nice but not super close to 1-95.

You may have stayed at the Holiday Inn Columbia or College Park. Hope this helps.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

The Arundel Mills Mall area is also very nice, but only if you are taking 295 down to the Beltway, otherwise it isn't convenient.