Need Budget DC Trip Help Fast

[Angry Eyes]

My daughter's 8th grade class won an engineering competition (last weekend) that is sending them to Washington DC for Nationals over the President's Day weekend in February. This was not a planned expense and there's not much time to save, so we just have to cut corners where we can. The competition is being held at the Capital Hilton (out of our budget range). We would like a hotel close or as near as possible that is NOT more than $125/night and in a good area. We travel a lot and although we aren't very familiar with DC, we aren't afraid to use the local transit system. Any help will be appreciated. TIA.

 

[lisaross]

Americana is a god place to stay

 

[polkadotminnie]

I would research bidding on Priceline and see what bids have been accepted and what hotel people won.

 

[footballmouse]

I would research bidding on Priceline and see what bids have been accepted and what hotel people won.

How do you go about researching past bids? I was thinking of doing this for our trip in June and I was curious as to what price to start at.

 

[My3Princez]

How do you go about researching past bids? I was thinking of doing this for our trip in June and I was curious as to what price to start at.

I just googled "priceline accepted bids" and there were results in the top 3 for sites that track accepted bids.

 

[vratiana]

If you are driving, keep in mind parking at the hotels. My friend got a hotel in DC (DuPont Circle) last weekend and the parking was an extra $50 per night. Ouch. Check out the express deals on priceline that give a little more info and will say Free Parking, if included. I would look at hotels in Old Town Alexandria for better deals, it's not too far and you can take the metro in.

 

[tina.tina]

I saw this on priceline

Didn't look at parking.

 

[krystalleigh1]

We stayed at the Amaricana and it was a bare bones hotel, the cheapest rooms are outside facing and really outdated. But it was a place to sleep in a pretty safe neighboorhood with easy access to the subway (few blocks away) and CHEAP for the area.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I stayed at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington a few years ago. With AAA it was relatively inexpensive. It came with free breakfast but parking wasn't free. It's about 10 minutes/2 miles from where you need to go (Driving). The drive in was SUPER easy when we went. Got on and off the freeway in less than two minutes. I'm not sure if you have AAA but if you do I'd look into it. It's a really nice, inexpensive hotel.

 

[pintamino]

We stayed at the Amaricana and it was a bare bones hotel, the cheapest rooms are outside facing and really outdated. But it was a place to sleep in a pretty safe neighboorhood with easy access to the subway (few blocks away) and CHEAP for the area.

The Americana is in an EXTREMELY safe neighborhood, and close to metro. I used to live next door. But I wouldn't stay there.

You should be able to get a decent deal at most hotels in Crystal City.

 

[pintamino]

I stayed at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington a few years ago. With AAA it was relatively inexpensive. It came with free breakfast but parking wasn't free. It's about 10 minutes/2 miles from where you need to go (Driving). The drive in was SUPER easy when we went. Got on and off the freeway in less than two minutes. I'm not sure if you have AAA but if you do I'd look into it. It's a really nice, inexpensive hotel.

2 miles =/= 10 minutes in DC, necessarily. It's taken me over an hour to go that distance during rush.

 

[sksjasams]

Have you checked with the school? Maybe they are arranging for a hotel option for the team. It would be nice for the kids to all stay in the same hotel together.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

2 miles =/= 10 minutes in DC, necessarily. It's taken me over an hour to go that distance during rush.

Interesting. We were there 5 days (granted 2 were weekend days) and it never took us more than 10 minutes to find parking near the National Mall (including the drive) from the hotel. It was incredibly convenient - not too far yet not too busy.

 

[brymolmom]

Homewood Suites Silver Spring - I just did a quick search and it shows as $120 per night. But it includes a BIG breakfast AND some nights of the week it includes dinner and drinks too. So definitely a savings. Also the frig in the room - we brought a lot of drinks, snacks and that saved a lot. The Metro is about an 8 - 10 minute walk. I'm guessing wherever your dd's events will be - they'll be close to the Metro.

If budget is really tight - I recommend a backpack with snacks and drinks - I found food to be expensive (at least at the places that are convenient to all the sites).

 

[Britster18]

My good friends family OWNS Americana!!!
I would stay there. Yes, it's not fancy by any means, but cheap, free parking, and very clean and they have a shuttle. The staff is wonderful! If you decide to stay, PM me and I can tell her to give you one of the better rooms.

 

[annmorr]

My daughter's 8th grade class won an engineering competition (last weekend) that is sending them to Washington DC for Nationals over the President's Day weekend in February. This was not a planned expense and there's not much time to save, so we just have to cut corners where we can. The competition is being held at the Capital Hilton (out of our budget range). We would like a hotel close or as near as possible that is NOT more than $125/night and in a good area. We travel a lot and although we aren't very familiar with DC, we aren't afraid to use the local transit system. Any help will be appreciated. TIA.

Take a look at the Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria, VA. We were there for Presidents Weekend a few years ago.
The Metro is directly across the street; there is a cooked -to -order breakfast (that was really good, omelets, home fries, etc.) at no extra charge, and free parking in their garage.
There are also free drinks/snacks in the atrium for happy hour (including soft drinks and popcorn for the kids.)
They advertise an indoor pool, but it was noisy and crowded, so we opted not to use it.
I would definitely stay there again.

 

[sheetz]

I stayed at the Americana on my last visit to DC and it was fine--clean, safe, free parking, free breakfast, free airport shuttle, and close to Metro station. Book their weekend special for 10% off.

http://www.secure-res.com/res/vn4/checka.aspx?hotelid=3041&ri=129628#contentShell

 

[RamrodinTonight]

If you want to save $$ as the previous poster mentioned, look in Silver Spring or Rockville MD. It will take you about 30 minutes on the subway, but the areas and price should be what you want.

For example, take a peek at the Sherraton at the Shady Grove metro.

 

[danygirl]

Homewood Suites Silver Spring - I just did a quick search and it shows as $120 per night. But it includes a BIG breakfast AND some nights of the week it includes dinner and drinks too. So definitely a savings. Also the frig in the room - we brought a lot of drinks, snacks and that saved a lot. The Metro is about an 8 - 10 minute walk. I'm guessing wherever your dd's events will be - they'll be close to the Metro. If budget is really tight - I recommend a backpack with snacks and drinks - I found food to be expensive (at least at the places that are convenient to all the sites).

Silver spring has a ton of restaurants within walking distance of this hotel. Also two movie theaters and an ice rink. Lots to do around there in the evening! Quick walk to metro. On the way to metro you can check out the Discovery building. There is always something cool in their lobby - dinosaurs, choppers from Orange County choppers and more from their shows.

 

[georgina]

Bookit.com has the Hyatt Place Washington/US Capitol for $75 a night that weekend. I'm sure there would be parking fees if you are driving however. It says free breakfast and wifi but I am not familiar with that hotel, so you would have to research it and the area.

Although now that I look, the Capital Hilton is closer to DuPont circle. I would look for weekend deals on the discount sites, keeping in mind those pesky parking fees!