I need help with a Washington DC trip please

[Desnik]

DH and I along with our 2 kids ages 12 & 7 will be going in Aug. First time for our kids. I need help finding a hotel. I have searched the Internet and tripadvisor.com but still need help. We are looking for a hotel within walking distance to the smithsonian museums. I have to admit that we are resort snobs so it has to be a place that is really nice. I need it to be super clean, newer, safe neighborhood too. Is it possible to get this on a budget of less than $300 per night?

Also any good Italian restaurant recommendations? It has to be family friendly.

Thanks!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I don't think you are going to find safe neighborhoods in walking distance of the National Mall. At least not at night.

We were in the Hampton Inn - Convention Center on 6th Avenue. We liked it, but didn't like walking back to the hotel at night. Lot of homeless and prostitutes in the street, even though it's only a few blocks from the monuments and Smithsonian.

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/...ionid=QN0YZTQBBORNCCSGBIW2VCQ?ctyhocn=WASHHHX

 

[golfgal]

You would be better off staying outside of DC and using the metro-it is SUPER easy and the kids will love it. I would HIGHLY recommend staying in Old Town Alexandria, Specifically at the Embassy Suites there. It is right across the street from the metro station there and in the evenings bumming around Old Town-to which you take a free old fashioned Trolley--is a blast.

 

[Desnik]

Thanks for the advice!

I am a NY'er and can handle the homeless and prostitutes, but not when I am with my kids! I could easily plan on walking back to the hotel before it gets dark, or take a taxi. I would love to stay outside of DC and take the Metro but DH cannot go on it, he has agoraphobia.

 

[Christine]

If you are a resort snob, why don't you just look at places on the edge of Georgetown (Pennsylvania Avenue). My cousin got married down there and it was fabulous. I think it was at The Fairmont Hotel. It's not walking distance but certainly cab distance. I love that area.

 

[eliza61]

DH and I along with our 2 kids ages 12 & 7 will be going in Aug. First time for our kids. I need help finding a hotel. I have searched the Internet and tripadvisor.com but still need help. We are looking for a hotel within walking distance to the smithsonian museums. I have to admit that we are resort snobs so it has to be a place that is really nice. I need it to be super clean, newer, safe neighborhood too. Is it possible to get this on a budget of less than $300 per night?

Also any good Italian restaurant recommendations? It has to be family friendly.

Thanks!

Girl get thee to the Mandarian Oriental. Immediately. Walking distance to the mall and capital hill. The only thing we did not like was the restaurant in it.

It's a little pricey but some times you can catch a good deal. We also stayed at the Washington Marriott, it was very nice.
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/washington/

 

[Christine]

Girl get thee to the Mandarian Oriental. Immediately. Walking distance to the mall and capital hill. The only thing we did not like was the restaurant in it.


http://www.mandarinoriental.com/washington/

Yes, very nice too and you definitely can walk! Funny though, that restaurant gets rave reviews although I've never eaten there.

 

[golfgal]

Thanks for the advice!

I am a NY'er and can handle the homeless and prostitutes, but not when I am with my kids! I could easily plan on walking back to the hotel before it gets dark, or take a taxi. I would love to stay outside of DC and take the Metro but DH cannot go on it, he has agoraphobia.

DC is a pretty crowded place-if he can't deal with the metro (which at off times is practically empty) how will he deal with the crowds in the museums, etc?

 

[eduk8r26]

Check Travelzoo. They frequently have deals on Washington hotels, especially for weekend stays.

 

[Desnik]

DC is a pretty crowded place-if he can't deal with the metro (which at off times is practically empty) how will he deal with the crowds in the museums, etc?

The issue with him is the feeling/anxiety of not being able to get out of a place whether it is a closed space like a train or an open stadium filled with people. So, a museum is tricky but he just has to be able to see the exits and know where the stairs are because he won't go in elevators either. He also does have medication to take if he feels he needs it for certain situations, like when we fly.

thanks for all the suggestions and I will look into them further.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

This is right by my hubbie's office and looks really nice...priced a little less than $300/ night....http://www.lenfantplazahotel.com/

 

[shortbun]

Wow, no Metro? That is going to be tough because all of the Smithsonian and sights are scattered. You need to look into the on/off bus. We love the Omni Sonesta which is actually closer to the zoo but has an on/off bus stop and is in a great neighborhood along with the Marriott even nearer the zoo. L'enfant Plaza is the closest hotel to the mall but it's in a unactive neighborhood at night so you might encounter the willies walking back in the dark.

 

[minniebeth]

This is right by my hubbie's office and looks really nice...priced a little less than $300/ night....http://www.lenfantplazahotel.com/

If op is a resort snob, I would not recommend this hotel (on personal experience). Let's leave it at that. Op, it's a great location, but you can check reviews on Trip Advisor.

We got a rate at the Williard Intercontinental on Pennsylvania very close to the White House for $264/nt. It is a very nice hotel, and a great location. We found that rates fluctuate so much and the further out you book, the better price you get. Last summer we paid $188/nt.

Another hotel that is a little further away from the Mall/monuments/museums area but very nice as well is the Mayflower Hotel. Their rates are very reasonable for the quality of the hotel and rates are well under $300 per night.

Ok, I'm really picky about hotels, and lol, I judge how I like a hotel on how much time I spend in the shower...if I am skeeved out and spend like max. 5 mins. to do what I have to do and get out asap, not loving the hotel. If I can spend a luxurious shower after a long day walking in DC, feel relaxed and feel great in the bathroom, it's a big thumbs up. Both the Williard and the Mayflower have great bathrooms! (and everything else )

 

[golfgal]

The issue with him is the feeling/anxiety of not being able to get out of a place whether it is a closed space like a train or an open stadium filled with people. So, a museum is tricky but he just has to be able to see the exits and know where the stairs are because he won't go in elevators either. He also does have medication to take if he feels he needs it for certain situations, like when we fly.

thanks for all the suggestions and I will look into them further.

A lot of the metro is above ground if that helps. The cars have big windows too.

 

[JohnsPrincess]

I LOVE the Sheraton on Orme in VA. It's within walking distance to the Air Force Memorial and you can see the Pentagon from it. They have a free shuttle to the Metro station at Pentagon City Mall and from there you can easily get to the Mall.

 

[czycropper]

If you are a resort snob then try the JW Marriott (Ford Theatre is close by & they have some good weekend rates-also has a pool, great shopping & restaurant near by & couple of blocks from White House and Mall), The Willard (Chanel boutique in the lobby, it's a block from the JW so it's the same distance to WH & Mall), The Hotel Washington -Old Ebbitt Grill right next door-across the street from the Treasury Dept.& block from the White House and there is a great bar/restaurant on the roof with pretty good views-I used to go there ALOT when my DH & I lived in the DC area.

The Mayflower is more uptown near Farragut Square but still within walking distance to the White House & Mall about 3 to 4 blocks to the WH and a couple more to the Mall-it's been a while since I've stayed there so I can't tell you how it is now.

Stay away from any hotel near Capitol Hill because you could walk into areas that are not as desirable - take this from experience-I did it once and it was the only time I felt uncomfortable in DC, luckily I got a cab but this was in the 1980s and I was by myself after doing some research at the Library of Congress, so I'm not sure how that area is now.

I lived in the DC area for almost 10 years all together (1980s & then back in the middle 1990s) and I never felt like I was in danger walking at night like I do in NYC, - if you stay in the NW part of DC you shouldn't have any problems. It's my favorite city and it's become my DDs as well - we're actually going at the end of month to go to a friend's party and we're staying at the JW Marriott since the party is at The Press Club. There are a couple of boutique hotels in Georgetown that are nice as well but I can't remember the names right now.

L'Enfant Plaza Hotel is nice but not in a great area at night, unless it's changed in the last few years.

The Metro is all underground in DC proper but mostly above ground in Virginia & Maryland. Crystal City (just across the river) has DoubleTree Hotel (my wedding reception was there in the Penthouse restaurant-which overlooks the Mall, Pentagon & airport), Ritz Carlton Pentagon, Embassy Suites and others that may be less pricey than in DC proper and are only 1 or 2 stops on Metro into DC.

Have a great time in DC.

 

[minniebeth]

czycropper those are great suggestions!

Just so op knows, The Hotel Washington is now a W Hotel... it is a great location, and the restaurant/bar on top of the hotel is called POV. It is amazing but a bar in the evening and I think no children. You can eat up there during the day though. I would not say that the W Hotel is a family oriented location. Cutting edge and trendy, a hotspot at night, not somewhere I'd want to be with my kids. It is very cool to check out though!

 

[tchrrx]

We stayed at the Mayflower a couple of weeks ago. The hotel was wonderful. It is very close to a Metro station, but most of the time we just walked. We walked to the Lincoln Memorial one evening and never felt uncomfortable. And, considering that's coming from a small-town, country girl, it should be worth something!

 

[Desnik]

Thanks again for all the help!

I am still undecided! After looking at tripadvisor and reading reviews of some of the suggestions here, the Willard looks like it could be good for us. Also I can get a rate of $200 per night!!

Anyone know anything about the Hotel George, a Kimpton Hotel? It has great reviews, looks nice and we have stayed at Kimpton hotels before. I can get it for $179 per night. It is located near the Capitol, is that area ok?

 

[NotUrsula]

If he can't manage the Metro, you could try using the DC Circulator buses; they run short loops throughout the touristed areas.

Many of the hotels just south of the Convention Center are quite nice and not very far from the Mall. There is a cluster of them a few blocks south of the Mt. Vernon Sq. metro station. Here is a map from a recent conference I just attended; most of the attendees are women, so nothing on this list is in a truly unsafe neighborhood. (Obviously, ignore the prices; those were negotiated conference rates.)
http://www.ala.org/ala/conferencesevents/upcoming/annual/registration/Map and Hotels_FINAL.pdf

The area south of the convention center and Capitol Hill itself have gentrified in the past few years; the increasing traffic has made living close-in a priority for a lot of folks, and those areas were ripe for redevelopment.