Washington DC hotel updated question on page 3

[elgerber]

I posted this on the community board, but thought you guys here might have some ideas too.

Hello,

Can anyone give me an idea of a good hotel for my daughters choir trip to DC? There will be about 20 girls and probably 10 parents or so. The girls range from 13-18. We want to be as close to the capital as possible, without it being super expensive. We realize we probably can't afford to be that close, but any direction would be very helpful.
Is the public transportation easy and safe for a group like that?

Thanks!!

 

[pooh17]

Check out Hotel Harrington. Its a no-frills hotel, but has a great location, is clean, and is relatively cheap (for DC) at $150-200 a night.

 

[clukas]

Look at staying in Arlington, Virginia for your trip to DC. It's just across the river from DC and a straight shot in on the metro. You could stay in the Rosslyn, Courthouse or Crystal City areas and be in the city in 10 minutes on the metro.

I live in Arlington and can answer any specific questions you have. Check into Marriott Couryard or Residence Inns, I bet they would give you a group rate.

 

[shelemm]

In some cases, you will not feel safe at night in hotels close to the Capitol Building. I think there are a couple right across from Union Station, but go a couple of blocks further west and you will have strangers lurking around your hotel at nights.

Some hotels will claim to be close, but will put you in an undesirable nieghborhood to the South. There are not a lot of options right close by that are nice. If you can find a pace literally a block away from Union Station, maybe the Pheonix Park hotel, then that would be good. If not I agree with a previous poster that I recommend folks go to the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia.

I recommend calling Priceline for a group rate. Always look on Mapquest for your hotel address to verify it is where you think it is.

 

[elgerber]

Thanks for your help so far, I'm sure I'll have many questions. So would you think this hotel here is not a great choice?...

http://washingtonregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

 

[singingpixie]

Thanks for your help so far, I'm sure I'll have many questions. So would you think this hotel here is not a great choice?...

http://washingtonregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

I'm not familiar with that hotel specifically, but looking at the map it's in a great location- not sketchy at all (you may see a random homeless person wandering by, but that's the worst of it, and that can happen occasionally anywhere in a city). If you can get a rate there that you're comfortable with, I'd say go for it. You'd be walking distance from most tourist attractions, and convenient to the metro for anything else.

To answer your metro question, I think it'd be fine for your group. Avoid rush hour if you can (it's easy to get separated when it's crowded) and come up with a plan to meet up if you do get separated by a closing train door (they don't stop like elevator doors if you try to force them open).

If for some reason this hotel doesn't work out (too pricey or whatever), I second the suggestion to stay in Arlington. You'll have to metro into the city every day, but it's a quick trip from there and may be worth the money you'll save.

 

[missypie]

I think my kids stayed in Arlington when their youth choir went to DC. The plan was to rely on public transportation. The hotel wasn't very close to the metro line, but the hotel said all they had to do was call the shuttle. Problem was, the hotel had one shuttle and it held about 7 people. There were about 25 people in the group, so they ended up having to rent a bus anyway. Just something to look out for.

 

[ceiligh1]

I have not stayed here yet so I dont know how nice it is but the Today show said that it was a good cheaper place to stay in DC. It is close to my sisters place so she said that it was safe for us and our 3 year old. THey allow kids and they are a B&B so the rooms come with breakfast. THey are by far the cheapest place I was able to find for us near my sister in DC. 2 blocks from the metro I think

 

[elgerber]

Bumping to see if any of the night owls have an ideas?

Thanks!

 

[yeartolate]

Thanks for your help so far, I'm sure I'll have many questions. So would you think this hotel here is not a great choice?...

http://washingtonregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

Priceline gave me this hotel last year. (it seems it is a usual hotel). Try biddingfortravel.com to see which hotels are being offered to bidders.

We loved it. I heard complaints if you were on the fire station side of the street, but we didn't have an issue. As a priceline person, I know I got the "worst" and the worst was excellent.

It was pretty central to the, well everything. the rooms were comfy and the staff accomodating. I remember most everthing being about a 10-15 minute walk.

 

[clukas]

Thanks for your help so far, I'm sure I'll have many questions. So would you think this hotel here is not a great choice?...

http://washingtonregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

The Hyatt is a very nice hotel close to Union Station and the Capitol (both a short walk). It would be easy to do anything in the city. This hotel is very much in the city and I would suggest caution, especially with school kids. There are some areas close by that you wouldn't want to be waliking in a night. Overall no problems, just be smart......DC is not the most friendly city.

 

[yeartolate]

The Hyatt is a very nice hotel close to Union Station and the Capitol (both a short walk). It would be easy to do anything in the city. This hotel is very much in the city and I would suggest caution, especially with school kids. There are some areas close by that you wouldn't want to be waliking in a night. Overall no problems, just be smart......DC is not the most friendly city.

Of note, I believe right next to the fire station was a homeless shelter....but again...I had no issues.

I would stay there again - especially at the priceline rates.

Your other option is to stay further out, but find a hotel real near the metro system.

I know before I got the Hyatt...I was looking at Embassy Suites. The ES on the metro line (Chevy Chase I believe?) was wayyyyyyyy less expensive than the more centrally located ones. The metro is pretty painless. When all was said and done we did Hyatt Regency through Priceline. We wanted close and didn't mind the walk.

 

[Kath2003]

Check out Hotel Harrington. Its a no-frills hotel, but has a great location, is clean, and is relatively cheap (for DC) at $150-200 a night.

I agree with this - we stayed in their smallest, cheapest room and it was fine. It's old, but it was clean and comfortable, and is literally 5 minutes' walk from the White House.

 

[elgerber]

Of note, I believe right next to the fire station was a homeless shelter....but again...I had no issues.

I would stay there again - especially at the priceline rates.

Your other option is to stay further out, but find a hotel real near the metro system.

I know before I got the Hyatt...I was looking at Embassy Suites. The ES on the metro line (Chevy Chase I believe?) was wayyyyyyyy less expensive than the more centrally located ones. The metro is pretty painless. When all was said and done we did Hyatt Regency through Priceline. We wanted close and didn't mind the walk.

Thanks everyone! Can you tell me if it was easy to get dinner nearby? The reviews on Expedia made it sound like there wasn't any place to eat in the area of the Hyatt.

 

[shelemm]

I am sure the Hyatt property is very nice and a good choice. Just don't be surprised by the fact that New Jersey Ave, though it is close to so many things, is a fairly desolate street with some unsavory characters hanging around, probably more so in the 500 or 600 block than in front
of your hotel.

There are places to eat right around the corner, although I don't know how well they would work out for a bunch of school kids. Most places there are either too pricey or bar-like.

Union Station has a big food court inside and also a few restaurants that would be suitable. No reason why your group couldn't walk there for a meal.

 

[christianne]

Hi - We lived in DC for many years & now take the kids back as often as we can. The only hotel we will stay in is the Embassy Suites in Chevy Chase. It is located in an extremely safe college area and is inside a large pavillion of upscale shops & restaurants. Our usual rate is $155 night and this is for a large suite which sleepsabout 6+ in each room. Best of all, it includes a free hot breakfast and snacks/drinks around 4-5 pm each night. The breakfast is a buffet & cooked to order omlets, pancakes, etc. Also, the Metro is also located below the hotel, very, very convienent. Indoor pool, safe area, very clean hotel...hope this helps!

 

[mjkacmom]

Hi - We lived in DC for many years & now take the kids back as often as we can. The only hotel we will stay in is the Embassy Suites in Chevy Chase. It is located in an extremely safe college area and is inside a large pavillion of upscale shops & restaurants. Our usual rate is $155 night and this is for a large suite which sleepsabout 6+ in each room. Best of all, it includes a free hot breakfast and snacks/drinks around 4-5 pm each night. The breakfast is a buffet & cooked to order omlets, pancakes, etc. Also, the Metro is also located below the hotel, very, very convienent. Indoor pool, safe area, very clean hotel...hope this helps!

I'm going to second this. We stayed at the ES in Dupont Circle, and payed $100 more, and my gf stayed at the one in Chevy Chase. Although she was 5 minutes farther from downtown on the metro, it was a 10 minute walk to the metro from our ES, so it actually took her less time to get there. We'll be staying here the next time we go to DC.

 

[smschex]

We (a family of 6) stayed at Homewood Suites on Massachusetts Avenue NW, off Thomas Circle. It was an easy walk to the Mall and the White House. McPherson Square Metro station isn't far very far either. We never felt unsafe in the neighborhood. They had a full breakfast buffet in the morning and a "manager's reception" in the evening that included a salad bar, entree, and vegetables, enough for a full meal. The staff was excellent as well. The only downsides were lack of a pool, and a bit of difficulty actually driving to the entrance coming off Thomas Circle.

 

[elgerber]

Hi - We lived in DC for many years & now take the kids back as often as we can. The only hotel we will stay in is the Embassy Suites in Chevy Chase. It is located in an extremely safe college area and is inside a large pavillion of upscale shops & restaurants. Our usual rate is $155 night and this is for a large suite which sleepsabout 6+ in each room. Best of all, it includes a free hot breakfast and snacks/drinks around 4-5 pm each night. The breakfast is a buffet & cooked to order omlets, pancakes, etc. Also, the Metro is also located below the hotel, very, very convienent. Indoor pool, safe area, very clean hotel...hope this helps!

Thank you, I will look into this too. So we would just take the Metro to the capitol area if we stayed here?

Thanks!

 

[elgerber]

Has anyone stayed at The Embassy Suites Old Town in Alexandria? It'a quite a bit cheaper than the one at Chevy Chase and it says the Metro station is just across the street?

How long would the metro ride be from Alexandria into the city?

Thanks!!!