washington dc help and questions

[mydisneyanytime]

We are headed to DC in about a month. I am an overplanner and usually have things already planned out. But... I am really having a hard time with planning this trip. I know that there are places that are ok to stay and there are those places that we don't need to stay in or around. So here are my questions:

What area outside of DC would you stay in to visit inside DC for about 3 days?

Is there any parking inside the city if we choose not to use the metro? (son in a wheelchair and not sure if metro will be special needs friendly or not)

Are there specific hotels that anyone has used that have just been great and not too expensive?

We would like an indoor pool and a free breakfast if possible but can do without if we need to.

Any other suggestions? I need to book but can't seem to hit the "book" button with not knowing the good and bad about the hotel or the area.

Also, would like to go on a night tour of DC. We can't do any tour that says anything about ghosts though (daughter would have nightmares for weeks). Is there any tour that is better than others?

Thanks so much in advance!!!
Kristi

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

What's your budget?

 

[Aliceacc]

I was thinking of a DC vacation this summer... but that was before we decided to remodel the kitchen. (Now it's a Long Island stay-cation instead!)

But take a look at www.redweek.com , particularly the Wyndham in Alexandria VA.

I've never used redweek before, but someone at work raved about it, and you simply can't beat the prices.

 

[leebee]

I always check the hotel reviews at tripadvisor.com before booking. People there are pretty honest, and straightforward. If a hotel is in a sketchy area, you'll know it!

 

[Poohforyou]

We've stayed at the Embassy Suites in Alexandria Va, the Westin Georgetown, L'Enfant Plaza near The Mall and the Grand Hyatt at Metro Center several different times over the last 15 years or so.

Embassy Suites has free breakfast and evening reception. There is a pool and parking (fee). Alexandria is a cute town with nice restaurants and shops. It's across the street from the Metro and takes 20 minutes or so to get into DC.

The Westin is probably our favorite. It's right near the Foggy Bottom metro and an easy walk into Georgetown. There are a few good restaurants right near by. It has an outdoor pool and valet parking. I believe there are some public lots within a few blocks you could use.

L'Enfant might be your best bet though as it is only 2 blocks or so from The Mall so you wouldn't need to worry about the metro. There is a shopping mall in the basement of the hotel where the parking garage is that has a coffee shop and other food options for breakfast. There is a covered year round pool as well. We liked this hotel but I just like the Westin better for our family.

The Grand Hyatt has a metro stop under it and is several blocks from the mall but a walkable distance IMO. There are several restaurants is the area and parking for a fee. A don't remember about a pool.

I'd recommend checking out different booking sites like Expedia to check rates.

 

[kellyg403]

Parking in DC (as in any big city) is minimal unless you are willing to pay mega bucks to park in a garage. Its been awhile since I have paid attention to the prices but want to say its somewhere in the 25.00 range for so many hours. To try and park on the city streets, most have the parking meters and are few and far between.

I would avoid taking my car to DC. The metro is very handicap friendly imho. There are elevators from the parking lots to the main platforms. Then when reaching the destination/stop there are elevators to street level. I have not had to use these services but they seem to work well.

I can not comment on hotels, I have not stayed in any in some time. Crystal City has a great hotel that has the metro running underneath or very close to it. That maybe an option for you.

Kelly