UGGGHHH Hotel hell vent!

[QVCshopper]

I have done amazingly well on Priceline bidding your own price in Baltimore and DC. Do you research first and do not go below 4*. Read biddingfortravel.com to see other people's recent bids, including locations and prices. Then, do your best to duplicate the ones you like.

 

[torinsmom]

If you stay in Arlington, you could drive to the Ballston Mall. There is a metro station underneath the mall and parking is $1/hour with a $8 max for 24 hours. There are lots of hotels in the area from cheapo hotels to Marriotts and Hiltons. Check tripadvisor.com for reviews before you book, of course. I would not stay somewhere you are not comfortable.

 

[neatokimmo]

Go to betterbidding.com and learn how to priceline DC.

I got the kimpton in arlington, less than a block from the metro for $70 a night in sept. It is a 4 star, we loved the location and the price. You can also facebook them to learn of last minute specials.

 

[LuLuO]

Quote:
Originally Posted by tlbwriter
"Sorry, I couldn't find anything safe and comfortable in that price range. The best I could do is $XXX. Are you still interested?"
My thoughts exactly. If I'm the one doing all the planning, I choose the hotel. I'll do my best to accommodate everyone's budget & preferences, but in the end I'm going to choose what works best for me since I'm the one doing all the work. If my travel companions don't like my choice, they are free to do their own research & book themselves somewhere else.

My thoughts exactly. If I'm the one doing all the planning, I choose the hotel. I'll do my best to accommodate everyone's budget & preferences, but in the end I'm going to choose what works best for me since I'm the one doing all the work. If my travel companions don't like my choice, they are free to do their own research & book themselves somewhere else.

 

[soonerfan2008]

We've done Embassy Suites, as well as the Westin and the Crowne Plaza. I know I've used priceline a couple of times for D.C. trips. Old Town is great with kids--very walkable and cute shops/places to eat.

If we stayed over the weekend, we usually just drove in and parked at the Reagan building. Another favorite thing to do was park at the zoo (annual family membership is $60, which means free parking and free admission into most zoos in the country).

 

[snowy76]

lastminutetravel.com has some places for $125-$145 per night that are in decent areas of DC (NW) and/or Arlington. My trick is to look in the descriptions at details that give away the location. Just found a room that sleeps 2 at the Washington Marriott for Veteran's Day weekend for $125 per night (the number of rooms and number of floors gave it away when I Googled it).

Over the summer I also got Hotel Madison for $135. They can have some great deals.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Stayed at the Holiday Inn Rosselyne (spelling?) for about $80 a night recently and it was just 2 blocks from the metro. Was very pleased with their facilities. They had free parking for guests as well, which is a huge plus for the area.

 

[NotUrsula]

Go to betterbidding.com and learn how to priceline DC.

I got the kimpton in arlington, less than a block from the metro for $70 a night in sept. It is a 4 star, we loved the location and the price. You can also facebook them to learn of last minute specials.

I know the OP is wary of bidding sites, so I'm going to mention this for anyone else who's watching this thread. Priceline is problematic for 4 people when it comes to rooms in major central cities: DC, NYC, Boston, Chicago, London, etc.

In those cities, many of the hotels that participate in Priceline may be older ones, many of which have some rooms that will not sleep more than 2 people. As Priceline only guarantees double occupancy (sometimes in one double bed in older hotels), it requires a bid of two rooms in order to guarantee having enough bed space for a party of 4. Suburban hotels normally would not require that, because, as a rule, suburban hotels are newer and have 2 double beds as the default room type.

Hotwire does allow the bidder to specify the number of people who will occupy the room, to ensure that you get enough beds. (And if you are only two people travelling, but NOT a couple who feel comfortable sharing one bed, it is best to make the reservation for a party of 4, which will guarantee that you get two beds rather than one.)

 

[disfan07]

I agree that Dulles is too far out (and "Dulles" encompases a huge area) BUT, if you have a car and can drive to a metro station, I wouldnt totally rule out the reston/herndon area. The reaosn I say this is because Vienna Metro station is very accesible from these areas and hotels there can be much less expensive.

The Residence Inn Fairlakes is about 6 miles from Vienna Metro station. 2 bedroom suites are about $130/night. so $65/night for each of you. There are also a lot of restaurants near this hotel so if you are back at the hotel for dinner any night, you wont be searching for places.

The Springhill Suites in Fairfax could also be an option. Its about 4-5 miles from the Metro station.

Personally, we lived near Dulles airport for almost 17 years. We lived near the fairfax county/loudon county border. We never found it to be a huge hassle to use the Vienna Metro station. If cost is really an issue adn you want them to go with you, I would not rule out staying near Vienna metro.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

My mom is asleep now so I can't ask here the details, but I believe my family and I stayed at a Hilton (or a Hyatt. Not sure.) and paid $100 a night (I think we got a suite because we are a family of 6). I can't recall exactly where it was, but it was a short drive to the subway that took you to where the Smithsonian is.

When she gets up, I will ask her.

 

[kimmyann]

My husband and I stayed at the Holiday Inn on Eisenhower Ave in July for $65 a night using my entertainment card. Very clean, comfortable & safe location in Alexandria. The metro was across a parking lot (easy 2 minute walk). They have an indoor pool & free parking. The only downside was no free breakfast, but kids do eat free I think. We stayed in Fairfax when we took the kids this month. It was a fancier hotel, but we had to drive to the metro and I'm sorry, but driving anywhere north of Richmond is a nightmare Next time we will go back to the Holiday Inn and just get two rooms, we were very happy.

 

[Ava]

I know the OP is wary of bidding sites, so I'm going to mention this for anyone else who's watching this thread. Priceline is problematic for 4 people when it comes to rooms in major central cities: DC, NYC, Boston, Chicago, London, etc.

In those cities, many of the hotels that participate in Priceline may be older ones, many of which have some rooms that will not sleep more than 2 people. As Priceline only guarantees double occupancy (sometimes in one double bed in older hotels), it requires a bid of two rooms in order to guarantee having enough bed space for a party of 4. Suburban hotels normally would not require that, because, as a rule, suburban hotels are newer and have 2 double beds as the default room type.

This. I've used Priceline in DC & London and in both cities have gotten rooms with only 1 bed. Sometimes at check-in we've been given the option of a room with either 1 or 2 beds, but sometimes you have no choice & have to take what's been assigned to you. I wouldn't risk bidding on 1 room with a group of 4.

 

[swilshire]

I stayed at the Residence Inn Alexandria and liked it except the couple of blocks from the Metro were pretty dark at night. The studio room was smaller than those in other Residence Inn's I've visited, so beware of that. Can't recall the rate I paid.

Sheila

 

[minnierocks]

We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City for $129/night with free valet parking and free breakfast buffet for 2. The location was perfect...attached to a mall and a metro station. We were within walking distance of the Pentagon and felt very safe walking around there, even after dark for dinner. We were able to avoid the crazy traffic because it is across the river from DC and then we valet parked the car for the weekend and used the metro. I would definitely stay there again!

 

[RangerPooh]

Having lived about 30 miles from DC and have driven through plenty of seedy areas, I would make sure that you read the reviews of the hotels that you are considering, especially those on the cheaper end. I too would consider Alexandria, my friend stayed at the Marriott this past spring and said it was fine. Honestly, your travel partners are being unrealistic. Wanting to stay so cheaply will likely place them in one of the seedier parts of Prince George County. If they want to risk it then it's up to them, otherwise inform them that they need to contribute more in order to have a safe hotel.

 

[mrp4352]

Dulles is WAY too far out. Besides that, unless you get a suite room, an Aloft is probably not going to be a good choice under the circumstances; the standard rooms are built with a very open plan and allow almost no privacy. (The last one I stayed in had only a curtain dividing the toilet area from the dressing area, and there are no drawers to put clothing in, only hooks and open shelves.)

Another thing about the Dulles Aloft location is that it does not offer airport shuttle services, so if you're trying not to rent a vehicle, you'll need to plan on taxi money to get there.

 

[C-CMom]

This may still be out of the range requested, but I like Hampton Inn Crystal City/Reagan Airport. It is a very easy walk to a Metro stop, has breakfast included, microwaves and fridges in the rooms. Some of the rooms are "1-bedroom Suites" (bed in one, sofa bed in the other), which may give a bit more privacy. I quickly checked dates approximately "1 1/2 weeks out" from when you first posted - and while the first rate that popped up was higher (though not outrageous for the metro area IMHO), depending on which particular dates I looked at the rate was MUCH lower (example one night $265 for suite, next 3 nights $160 - not necessarily had to book all, could just choose the cheaper nights). Last time I stayed there this summer, the parking was $12 per night.

Just a thought...
Good luck

 

[pixiepower1971]

My family enjoys Marriot Courtyard Washington Capitol Hill/Navy Yard
It is 1 short block fron the Navy Yard Metro Station. Parking is 20/25 a day depending on when you stay and your package. Room rates vary but deals for under 150/night are not rare.

Good Luck and have fun!

 

[KTSMOM]

Don't know if this will help but we are going next week and staying the Residence Inn in Alexandria, VA-Old Town . We are getting there on a Thurs, so the rates are cheaper than Mon-Wed. I haven't been there before but I have a friend who just returned from there last week and said it was very nice and right near the Metro station.

 

[tinytink]

Have you tried the Key Bridge Marriott or any of the hotels in Rosslyn/Crystal City. They are no far from DC and their prices are pretty reasonable. good luck.