I posted right after the holidays and didn't get much response. But from what I've dug up so far, the best places are either the Marriott Manor Club Timeshare and the Embassy Suites.
I've got ressies in the Embassy Suites in July for $119 at a goverment rate. However, DH is a TX state employee and not a VA state employee so I could be rejected on site and pay $179. When I called the hotel direct, I was not given the $119 rate, so I'm looking for a back up.
My parents and my sister's family will be staying at the Marriott MC. There is not enough room for us so we've got to stay elsewhere. The best rates I'm getting is around $1000/week but we can only stay 5 nights. I feel jipped not being able to use all 7 nights.
I am looking for a suite type with a kitchen. So far the best price has been at the Country Hearth Inn and Suites Capitol Motel located 1/2 from the visitor center. If you call direct: 1.800.368.8383, you'll get a lower price than their nationwide reservation desk see:
http://www.countryhearth.com/index.shtml
For the same days, I was quoted $45 as suppose to $99. This is a 2 room suite with a kitchen stocked with dishes, flatware, and cookware along with stove and fridge. They offer free breakfast, too. (Definetely cold stuff!!) I could not believe it for the price!!!
However I can not find any opinions on this place so I am a little leary. The man said that every room was renovated just less than 2 year ago. The area is older than the area near the Embassy Suites.
If you are going before July, could you stop by there and check it out for me, PLEASE!!! I had a back up plan to my ES ressie at the Holiday Inn Hotel Patriot for $90/night. I researched opinions at this location and it had not received good reviews. One talked about ants, one talked about roaches, and one smelled urine. There were only 2 favorables but they statyed only for 2 nights max. So I cancelled my ressie here.
I'm keeping my eyes peeled for specials at the ES.
If you are going to Washington DC, I recommend Arlington Suites at Arlington, VA. This is near a metro line, with free parking, free breakfast, outdoor pool, guest laundy, 1BR with seperate living quarters, full kitchen at $75/night. They received raving reviews as a family suite hotel.
Please let me know what you've decided.
Also can somebody post where we can get discount admission tickets to Busch Garden, Water Country, Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown. I'm hoping that a nearby grocery, McD's,
AAA... offers lower prices than at the gate.
Thanks,
MMCD