Question about our hotel pick for Wash. DC

[floridascgirl]

We have a room reserved at L'Enfant Plaza Hotel b/c my DH's work has a block of rooms set aside there. The cost is $199 a night (June 18-20)...they have already cut us a reimbursement check for room & gas. If we had a cheaper room, we could spend the savings on meals.

The positives of the hotel mostly seem to be location (walking distance from Smithsonians, etc...) My Dh is going to be busy with engagements a good bit of the time, so my son and I will be on our own. I have never navigated the Metro alone and don't feel that confident doing so.

The downsides are:
1) Parking is $48 per night , so we are planning to park at a friend's house outside of the city and have them drop us off at the hotel.
2) No type of breakfast (or even coffee) offered at the hotel. It also seems as if there is a general lack of places to grab a bite to eat in the area once the museums close (but I could be wrong).

I would love any feedback if anyone has stayed at this hotel. I would also welcome any recommendations of other places to stay that are still a great location but have free (or cheap) parking.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[JenLanDisney]

We stayed at L'Enfant Plaza in Oct 2009. It was me, DH and DS3.

There is a sandwich shop in the shopping mall below the hotel. Other than that, a CVS which was handy. But no other restaurants nearby. I remember a pizza place would deliver there, too.

Walking to the mall is very easy and close to the National Air & Space Museum. Most Smithsonian museums have a cafeteria in them.

On the other side of the mall is the Old Post Office. It's been converted into a mall with LOTS of meal ideas.

The Metro is the easiest, cleanest subway IMHO. Try it. You'll have lots of options to eat, then. Dupont Circle or Union Station, for example, have lots of restaurants.

 

[chris31997]

Don't know about the hotel, but I would say that a grocery store stop is a must. For a short stay, ceral bars, quaker breakfast cookies/bars, and fruit will be a good idea. You can also get coffee drinks that you can drink over ice if you like ice coffee. I would think that there is a grocery store or a local market nearby. You can google the the hotel address and see what is close.

 

[snowy76]

You're not likely to beat that rate for DC. On the bright side, you are adjacent to the Metro so you could head to Georgetown or Alexandria in the evenings for dinner. You're right, though - once the govt buildings close for the day the pickings can be slim in that immediate area.

During the day though, if you're sticking to the monuments and museums, there are several good spots for lunch. Some of the Smithsonian museums have good (but pricey) food courts. I'd also recommend the cafeteria at the Dept of Agriculture (right near your hotel) or the Rayburn House Office Building - the federal cafeterias are VERY good! You do have to go through security, fyi.

For breakfast (I know I'm working backwards LOL) you might want to look for a Starbucks or a Cosi nearby. I know the Holiday Inn (on C Street) is close by and their restaurant prices may be considerably less than the LP's restaurant.

 

[mjkacmom]

Just want to mention that finding cheap parking is rare, and I've never heard of free.

 

[floridascgirl]

This is why I love the DIS!!! Thanks everyone for all of your helpful and speedy replies. I'm feeling much better about our choice now. Since I'm intimidated by the idea of doing the Metro alone, I do like the location of the L'Enfant.

If anyone has any other rec's for places to eat (b-fast, lunch or dinner), feel free to chime in...I'm writing all of this down. I'm also open to suggestions of must-do activities, too. I've only been to DC twice...once in 6th grade and once 3 years ago. If it helps, my DS is 13 years old.

 

[sharon_wv]

I work right across the street from l'enfant plaza. Just within the last couple weeks a few eateries opened in the shopping center just below the hotel. There is a mcdonalds, a potbellies sandwich shop, a roti (Greek cuisine similar in style to chipotle). There is also a CVS there too for groceries and in incidentals. Within walking distance there is lots. All of the museums, the capital, etc. I think at the rate you are getting, you should be good.

 

[floridascgirl]

I work right across the street from l'enfant plaza. Just within the last couple weeks a few eateries opened in the shopping center just below the hotel. There is a mcdonalds, a potbellies sandwich shop, a roti (Greek cuisine similar in style to chipotle). There is also a CVS there too for groceries and in incidentals. Within walking distance there is lots. All of the museums, the capital, etc. I think at the rate you are getting, you should be good.

Sounds good...thanks for the info.

 

[Princess Glenda]

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport is WONDERFUL! My DS was 13 when we went there two years ago. We also viewed an IMAX film there.

We also enjoyed doing a walking tour of the monuments with D.C. by Foot. The guide was very engaging and shared lots of interesting facts with us. You can Google D.C. by Foot for information.

ENJOY your trip!

Glenda

 

[CarlisleMom]

Did you check the Holiday Inn about 2 blocks away? When we stayed there in the fall parking was $30 a night. Not sure how much the room was. It is 1 1/2 blocks behind the air and space museum. Sorry to say no free breakfast. We liked it. Free internet! What we did for dinner was take a taxi. It was about $8 to Central Station. DD9 loved looking at all the shops.

 

[Swimalie]

Just be careful at the L'Enfant Station. It's considered one of the more dangerous ones on Metro. http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2011/02/crime-surges-metro-system

I second Udvar-Hazy Center. It's wonderful for kids and adults.

 

[Floridagal23]

I lived in DC for a long time. I'd look at prices for a few different hotels-

The George Washington Inn
The Melrose
The Fairmont (in between Dupont and Georgetown) - I stayed here in the fall for a reunion for less than 200 a night, prepaid rate.
Donovan House (they always inexpensive rooms advertised on jetsetter.com

I don't know anything about parking - I think it's expensive anywhere. The areas of these hotels (Dupont, Foggy Bottom) are very safe with lots of food options. Also very metro accessible to museums.

 

[lizabu]

Thats seems pretty cheap for DC. You might find cheaper parking if you don't mind walking. I usually circle the block the hotel is on and see if I can find cheaper parking. I don't feel like I have to use the parking at the hotel I'm staying at.

 

[fostrmom2mny]

Cab fare is very reasonable in DC, and I make several trips to Union Station.Food court as well as shopping. Many hotels have a shuttle that makes rounds. Many are on and off at a good price. There is so many free things to do in out capitol!!

 

[clori]

I was recently in DC with a 6, almost 11 and 12 year old girls. The 12 year old isn't my child. My dd11 now loved just about everything we did though she didn't overly enjoy the capital. She loved the National Archives, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Library of Congress, Arlington National Cemetary and Ford's Theater. She also loved doing an evening tour of the monuments which included pick up and drop off at our hotel.

We stayed in Alexandria across the street from the metro. We found the metro simple to use other than figuring out prices. We probably would have saved money but ended up just going with the 1 week unlimited pass for $47 (we used it Saturday - Thursday).

 

[Teacher03]

We are staying at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn during that same time for an average of $129 a night. Parking is free. It is right across from the key bridge; you can walk to Georgetown. The metro station is a short walk away and as others have said, it is very easy to navigate.

We have stayed there before, and it is very clean and comfortable. My DD who lives in the area has eaten in the restaurant and said it was very good. I also believe it has a pool.