Washington DC hotel recommendations?

[starry_solo]

I am going in late October and would like hotel recommendations for four nights (we are staying 8 nights but 4 of those are at a hotel where I can get a good rate at for a conference I am attending).

We want to see:
White House
U.S. Capitol
Lincoln memorial
Washington memorial
US supreme court
Smithsonian
All those touristy things.

I've already contacted our local US representative for the White House tour.

Ideally we would like to be within walking distance of most of what we want to see.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[low-key]

Watergate ?

 

[DisneyMomx7]

The Willard

 

[shelemm]

First thing to know: the number one thing I can recommend for visiting DC is to see the monuments at night. They are open all night, and a park ranger can give you an impromptu tour just by asking, which I highly recommend because they can explain much more than you can just see in your own. Especially amazing at night are the WWII Memorial, The FDR Memorial, and the Air Force Memorial which is in Arlington, VA near the Pentagon. The Korean War Memorial is also fantastic at night. The one monument that is better in the day is the Vietnam Memorial. But all the others are better at night. I also highly recommend visiting the Library of Congress (Main Hall) which is next to the Supreme Court.

The Capitol Hill Hotel is one of the few 'affordable' hotels in DC that will indeed put you within walking distance (depending on how you define that) for a couple of things you want to see. Other distances are vast, but you are near a blue line metro stop which will get you to other places. I live in DC, so I have not stayed at this hotel, but it is in a nice, safe, and desirable location. I recommend that you book early there, and if you find a better deal elsewhere, you can always cancel.

There are quite a few places to eat on Pennsylvania Ave near the hotel with most of them being dreadful. The exceptions will be Good Stuff Eatery (burgers, plus get the toasted marshmallow milkshake) and We the Pizza (also the salads are good here). Both are counter service.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Hay-Adams is on the edge of Lafayette Park and like the Dillard overlooks the White House.
It's centrally located and a lovely respite from the extreme walking common to touring DC. Pricey but worth every dime and it's morning breakfast will leave you feeling pampered and sated for the day's start. Knowledgeable concierge who was able to get us tickets to various museum exhibits with little effort; it's one of our favorite hotels in the country.

You can rent the room of the break in at the Watergate (it's called the Scandal Room, LOL). Never stayed there but did secure a day pass to the hotel's pool once; very refreshing. Lovely rooftop bar scene and probably best if your stay is centered on Georgetown.

 

[dish rag]

I would stay in Alexandria at the Hilton, walk outside and take the subway.

 

[mnrose]

We rented an Airbnb on 8th and M street which was just a few blocks off the mall and super convenient. It was much less expensive than a hotel room with more space. This was the place. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/8939111?location=Washington, DC, United States&source_impression_id=p3_1565439913_ahYlooFpXM9eYz9h&s=azwfazyq

 

[antmaril]

We stayed at The Mayflower (a Marriott). Lovely hotel in a great location. I will stay here again the next time we visit Washington, D.C.

 

[Floridaman999]

We always stay in Crystal City and either use Metro or uber.

 

[Christine]

We stayed at The Mayflower (a Marriott). Lovely hotel in a great location. I will stay here again the next time we visit Washington, D.C.

I had my high school prom there...a LONG time ago.

 

[candy0730]

We stayed at Hampton Inn Washington DC/White House on H street. The hotel was very nice, included breakfast and and is within walking distance to most attractions.

From their site - "Set in the iconic Editor’s building, our White House hotel effortlessly combines historic charm with modern conveniences."

We usually look for value and location and this hotel fit the bill.

 

[Monykalyn]

We stayed at a VRBO right by Eastern Market and the Metro. Super convenient to hop on Metro and go wherever you need. I second seeing the monuments at night but be aware public transport may not run late. But our cab back to our apartment was <$20 (with tip) from Lincoln Monument to Eastern market.

 

[Pink Partridge]

First thing to know: the number one thing I can recommend for visiting DC is to see the monuments at night. They are open all night, and a park ranger can give you an impromptu tour just by asking, which I highly recommend because they can explain much more than you can just see in your own. Especially amazing at night are the WWII Memorial, The FDR Memorial, and the Air Force Memorial which is in Arlington, VA near the Pentagon. The Korean War Memorial is also fantastic at night. The one monument that is better in the day is the Vietnam Memorial. But all the others are better at night.

This is excellent advice.

 

[whatname]

We have stayed in Dunn Loring, VA at the Courtyard Marriott. It is outside of the city but much less expensive with free parking. No breakfast but there are several restaurants nearby. The metro is a short walk from the hotel. The metro is very easy to use to get in, out and around the city. Just another option for you, if you decide to branch out.

 

[Princess Mulan]

We always look for a hotel near a Metro stop, which makes travel convenient. There are many to choose from, and often you can find great prices, especially on weekends. I never recommend a particular hotel in or near DC since we’ve always had great experiences getting very nice hotels at good rates. Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott are three chains in particular that we’ve stayed at recently.

 

[clori]

We really liked Embassy Suites Old Town Alexandria for our travel party. It was right across the street from the metro. It was very easy to take the metro from the airport to get there. We liked the daily breakfast and since we had a few kids having the pool came in handy.

 

[Libbysmom2000]

My daughter goes to school in DC and we visit a few times a year. The Foggy Bottom neighborhood is a safe and nice area of DC. It's an easy walk to the White House from there and there's a metro stop for easy access to the other sites. Here are hotels that we've stayed at multiple times and recommend:

- Georgetown Westin (very close to but not actually in Georgetown)
- The River Inn
- State Plaza (very big rooms with a kitchen)
- Hotel Lombardy
- Courtyard Marriott Foggy Bottom
-

 

[ncc1701]

I would stay in Alexandria at the Hilton, walk outside and take the subway.

Another vote for that Hilton. It is in the same area with the Embassy Suites a PP mentioned. There are a couple of other hotels in that area. In addition to walking across the street to the Metro it is a short ride down to the Alexandria waterfront. Last time we visited there was a shuttle down to the waterfront. Forget the price but it wasn't much. We enjoyed eating at Joe Theisman restaurant across the road from the Metro.

 

[focusondisney]

I live in DC, so I have not stayed at this hotel, but it is in a nice, safe, and desirable location.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I have a quick question. We are planning to stay at the previously mentioned Embassy Suites Alexandria in September. I see that Metro station is closed until Sept 8th for platform work. That is our arrival day & I’m just wondering if I can actually expect it to reopen on schedule. Does the Metro work typically get done on time or does it usually take longer than scheduled. Thanks for any insight!

 

[Princess Mulan]

I am going in late October and would like hotel recommendations for four nights (we are staying 8 nights but 4 of those are at a hotel where I can get a good rate at for a conference I am attending).

We want to see:
White House
U.S. Capitol
Lincoln memorial
Washington memorial
US supreme court
Smithsonian
All those touristy things.

I've already contacted our local US representative for the White House tour.

Ideally we would like to be within walking distance of most of what we want to see.

Thanks for any suggestions!

To your list, I would add the Udvar-Hazy Center, the Air and Space Museum annex near Dulles. It is full of amazing aircraft and spacecraft, and the guides, many of whom are retired pilots, are fantastic.