Washington DC First Timer-Where to Stay?

[Jalva22]

Downtown, Dupont Circle, Georgetown, Suburb?

All right, how do I begin this journey? Is it better to be close to the museums and monuments, etc? Or, is it better to be away from things, but near the Metro?

June or July trip. First-timers. Couple with kids (13, 17), WDW veterans (so, yeah, we've got our walking shoes! )

Any and all advice appreciated!

 

[shoney]

We went last Memorial Day and stayed at the Marriott in Crystal City. Honestly, it was price driven. We were able to stay for 99.00 a night with breakfast included for a family of 4. The metro was located right at the hotel...didn't even have to go outside. It worked for us.

Here is a link to our mini trip report...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...weens-Washington_DC_District_of_Columbia.html

 

[mimmi]

I've been to Washington DC very often, and almost always stayed at the Keybridge arriott except for once, when we stayed at the Sheraton Chrystal City.
I've always enjoyed the marriott, as it was near to a subway station, which was nice for the museums, but also not far from Georgetown for drinks and dinner.

 

[antmaril]

My DS (26) and I went to Washington, D.C. in October. We stayed at The Mayflower (a Marriott). What a beautiful historic hotel! Location was great. Right near a Metro stop and walkable to the White House. Weekend rates are much better than mid-week. Several affordable restaurants in the area.

LOVED D.C. - have fun!

 

[clori]

We stayed at embassy suites in Alexandria. I loved the location. We flew to Raegan airport and took the metro 2 stops to the metro stop across from the hotel. It took about 20 to 25 minutes to get o the smithsonian etc. there was a free hotel shuttle and a free local shuttle to old town Alexandria. There is a mall connected to the metro stop one or two stops away that the kids might enjoy if you have an early evening planned.

We liked the free breakfast, swimming pool, and evening reception. We had a room with 2 beds and a separate room with a sofa bed. Whole Foods was across the street from one of the hotel entrances.

 

[MOREMICKEYFORME]

Dupont Circle Hotel was great for us!!! Loved having a restaurant on site-and it was good food!

 

[elgerber]

We stayed at embassy suites in Alexandria. I loved the location. We flew to Raegan airport and took the metro 2 stops to the metro stop across from the hotel. It took about 20 to 25 minutes to get o the smithsonian etc. there was a free hotel shuttle and a free local shuttle to old town Alexandria. There is a mall connected to the metro stop one or two stops away that the kids might enjoy if you have an early evening planned.

We liked the free breakfast, swimming pool, and evening reception. We had a room with 2 beds and a separate room with a sofa bed. Whole Foods was across the street from one of the hotel entrances.

Ditto to this. Nice big room, super convenient to the Metro and Reagan airport. Lovely little town to explore also.

 

[punkin]

I would say it all depends on your budget. Given an unlimited budget, I would personally choose to stay in Dupont Circle. Georgetown has no Metro to take you to the monuments. Anywhere near the monuments will be very quiet in the evenings. Suburbs are inconvenient. Having said that, if you have a limited budget, anywhere on a Metro line would be fine.

 

[mikehn]

If looking at the metro rail station map at wmata.com, great locations to stay would be along the orange and blue metro rail lines in Virginia. My personal choice would be hotels along the orange lines between Rosslyn and Ballston metro stations, all collectively known as Arlington. Next choices would be along the blue line between Pentagon City and King St stations. These areas offer an abunance of dining, nightlife, and entertainment. Both the orange and blue metro rail lines feed directly to the Smithsonian metro rail station and other DC attractions. That should give you plenty of choices. I wouldnt even bother venturing over to Maryland.

 

[Goofycampers]

We visited DC this summer with our 2 sons. We got a great rate at the Mayflower downtown. It was a beautiful hotel in a great location. If you can find a good deal I would definately choose to stay downtown. We were torn where to stay -probably more than any other vacation I've taken. I was glad we didn't have to get on the train after a day of touring. I wouldn't have come back into the city again for dinner or late touring, this is something to consider. Have a great time in DC but make sure you take really comfortable walking shoes!

 

[Christine]

If budget allows, always stay in town. The Metro is great but after a few days, it can be a drag--especially if you ride during rush hours. Crowded!

But if you are on a budget, any of the metro line areas are fine. Just don't go too far because your ride on the Metro can get pretty lengthy and probably not what you want to do twice a day.

 

[faith]

Old Town Alexandria, Embassy suites. king st metro right across the way.
Great free breakfast, nice rooms. Safe area, and low cost for D.C area, helped make decision. Quick ride to Smithsonian, monuments, etc with metro card.
Wouldn't hesitate to stay again.

 

[Glenn]

A relative stayed at the Embassy Suites convention center in September & loved it. It was $29 more than E suites in Alexandria at the same time. So when you priced in round trip metro fair for 2 the price was about the same. They saved time not having to take the train in. Loved the large breakfast, nice suite and the great staff. Not inexpensive but the location made it worth while.

 

[redboxcar]

If looking at the metro rail station map at wmata.com, great locations to stay would be along the orange and blue metro rail lines in Virginia. My personal choice would be hotels along the orange lines between Rosslyn and Ballston metro stations, all collectively known as Arlington. Next choices would be along the blue line between Pentagon City and King St stations. These areas offer an abunance of dining, nightlife, and entertainment. Both the orange and blue metro rail lines feed directly to the Smithsonian metro rail station and other DC attractions. That should give you plenty of choices. I wouldnt even bother venturing over to Maryland.

I stumbled upon this wondering the same thing the OP was wondering (even though it's not my first time) - and I just want to thank you because your response was extremely helpful.