Looking for budget friendly hotels in DC...

[jdrais]

I second what PurpleDog said have you tried Holiday Inn Capitol? It's about 2 block from the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum and about 1 block from L'Enfant Plaza (metro) We were there in August this summer, during the earthquake.
The prices were rather reasonable for DC. Basic Holiday Inn, nothing fancy. Not many resturants in the area though.

 

[DisneyCrafter]

WOW! Thank you for all of the suggestions! As of right now, the Americana seems to be the only option I am finding that is less than $200/night for the dates we would like to go. (That's even less than $100/night.) I was reading reviews on TA though and it said the walk to the door of the building at night seems a bit sketchy and that is kind of off-putting to me.

I'm thinking we need to change our dates!!!

 

[Tree]

I second what PurpleDog said have you tried Holiday Inn Capitol? It's about 2 block from the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum and about 1 block from L'Enfant Plaza (metro) We were there in August this summer, during the earthquake.
The prices were rather reasonable for DC. Basic Holiday Inn, nothing fancy. Not many resturants in the area though.

we were there in August as well we paid $150 or so a night. good location-we walked everywhere to the mall. If you have a family of 5 it is good hotel as many hotels don' take a family of 5.

 

[LuvOrlando]

We stayed here over the summer & would stay again, it was near everything & cost about $115 or so with AAA : Hilton Garden Inn Arlington Courthouse Plaza... well its in Arlington which is a stones throw from DC but it was recommended by family in the area because of it being close to nightlife,shopping & good restaurants.

 

[scra]

I agree with trying Hotwire. I got a beautiful Hilton in Dupont Circle for $85/night using them. As long as you are careful about the star rating and the neighborhood before buying it isn't too bad not knowing exactly where you will stay.

 

[clm10308]

I like the Hotel Harrington. It is within walking distance of the Mall and just a couple of blocks away from the Spy museum, Fords theater, and the metro. There are two restaurants in the hotel and many near by.
It is a very old hotel. The oldest parts were built back in the 1920's or 30's. It is said to be the first hotel in DC to have had air conditioning. It is still owned by the family that opened it.
The rooms do look well worn, and the hallways on the side near one restaurant smelled like what ever was cooking. It is definitely not the same quality as a chain hotel, but for the great location and low price (less than $100 for a double room 5 hrs ago) I would stay there again. When I was there, it was full of Girl Scout troops and I felt perfectly safe for DC.
Over 15 yes ago, I planned to stay at a motel 6 in DC for around $50 a night. We got there, took one look at the patrons in the parking lot and ended up somewhere else for $150.

 

[jdrais]

I'm thinking we need to change our dates!!!

Your dates look like you are planning to go right around cherry blossom time. I would guess all the hotels will charge whatever the market will bear. Cherry blossom time is supposed to be lovely, just that everybody else thinks so too.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Check out silver spring md near the metro. Also check out the national harbor it has several hotels and is of the Potomac in md. You can easily shuttle to dc and historical sights in va.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Took my family last year for Memorial Day weekend.Stayed at the Hyatt Regency on Capital Hill. The location is PERFECT for walking everywhere!! Bid on priceline and got a great deal!! I will try and find my post about it and add it here.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

I did priceline for the 1st time this May. Went 3 nights for Memorial Day weekend.Took the train into Union Station.
I had bid starting at $75 and 3 1/2 stars near Capital.I won for $90 a night. We called after I won and asked for 2 beds-no problem.The hotel was the Hyatt on Capital Hill and it was GREAT!Walked to everything

I had read a lot about priceline bids before I did this and saw that many were winning for $100 or less in DC!! I am not a fan of staying out of the city since I do not want to waste time traveling each day!The price was great for me! The Hyatt was very nice and had a nice restaurant in it that we ate at twice.They have an evening buffet dinner for $30 I believe. There was a Starbuck 2 doors down where we had breakfast.

We did the monuments,zoo,Holocaust Museum,White House(outside),Capital,Supreme Court,Botanical Garden,Arling. Cemetary,Smithsonian Museums AND my favorite The Library of Congress which is NOT to be missed!!!!

Easy walk to Union Station for food too!We rode the train into town so that was easy for us!With the price to park in DC you might want to look at that too!All aboard!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Your dates look like you are planning to go right around cherry blossom time. I would guess all the hotels will charge whatever the market will bear. Cherry blossom time is supposed to be lovely, just that everybody else thinks so too.

Our dates are technically after what is considered to be the festival for the Cherry Blossoms. A whole 2 days after...

 

[leebee]

Try Hotwire, but read the info on betterbidding.com. The nice thing about Hotwire is they don't automatically charge your credit card, as Priceline does. You get to see the neighborhoods and the hotel amenities, even if you don't see the hotel name. You can then check betterbidding and line up what you know with their hotel lists, try to figure out which hotel(s) it might be, and then decide if you want to take the gamble. This has worked out terrifically well for us in Baltimore, DC, Pittsburgh, etc. Last summer we ended up staying at The George, a boutique hotel within a couple of blocks of Union Station and The Capitol, for $110 a night.

Also, check Travel Ticker. They run specials all the time.... last summer a friend got a 4* hotel (can't remember which) at Dupont Circle for $119 a night.

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I guess I received a sign to change our dates today. My good friend's bridal shower will be in DC in early March. The rates are definitely cheaper!