Washington DC on a budget

[Cindy B]

Maybe I got really lucky, but maybe 3 years ago we pricelined a 3.5* hotel in the Downtown/Convention Center area during my kids spring break. Little did I know when I booked it about 6-8 weeks out that it would be Cherry Blossom Weekend.

We wound up at the GRAND HYATT for an unbeliveably low price during CB weekend. The Grand Hyatt messed up on the room so they a) honored the price b) comped us free breakfast for our stay c) gave us one day free parking. IIRC, the Grand Hyatt cancelled or overbooked our reservation and when we showed them the printout from Priceline, they had to honor it.

There was a Cherry Blossom function that evening in the hotel so we saw all types of evening gowns and dignitaries.

 

[bamor]

I've found the Homewood Suites in Falls Church for our spring break, starting 4/17 for cheap. This hotes is rated #1 on trip advisor in Falls Church. Their website states they offer a free shuttle to the metro station (Dunn Loring).
Anyone have anymore info on this hotel? It has free parking, so that helps too and free breakfast. Is it truly 20 minutes to the Smithsonian from here?
Thanks!

 

[Jeninindy]

We are heading to DC in April for our kids spring break. We are bringing our camper and staying here: http://www.cherryhillpark.com/index.cfm

Working on our itinerary for the trip now. We will be there during the Cherry Blossom Festival...

 

[PlutoPony]

I've found the Homewood Suites in Falls Church for our spring break, starting 4/17 for cheap. This hotes is rated #1 on trip advisor in Falls Church. Their website states they offer a free shuttle to the metro station (Dunn Loring).
Anyone have anymore info on this hotel? It has free parking, so that helps too and free breakfast. Is it truly 20 minutes to the Smithsonian from here?
Thanks!

I've just passed through that area so I'm not terribly familiar with it but it's a good location... Would guess there's a decent mix of residential and commercial (restaurants, stores, office buildings) and you're close to the Beltway and I-66. Dunn Loring is 2nd stop from the end of the Orange Line metro and it's a straight shot into the Smithsonian station. Probably 20-30 minutes in, once you get on a train.

If you got a decent deal I'd say you did well!

 

[Teacher03]

We stayed at this Holiday Inn in Arlington:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...nn_Rosslyn_Key_Bridge-Arlington_Virginia.html

In case the link doesn't work, it's Holiday Inn Rosslyn Key Bridge

It was $89/night for a Friday and Saturday night, free indoor parking and a 2 block walk to the metro. It wasn't perfect but we enjoyed our stay, the kids liked the pool and the room was fine. Request a room facing Georgetown, the view was lovely.

I second this. My DD used to live here and it is a very nice area. You can walk to Georgetown, and the free parking was a plus; parking can add alot to the final cost at most hotels.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Greenbelt is pretty good, and I know there are some really nice neighborhoods hidden away. I think all the hotels are in pretty good areas and are sort of clustered together. Not within walking distance of the metro though.

we like staying in Greenbelt! My DH works near there during the week, so DD and I go into DC. The Hilton has a free shuttle service to the Metro and no parking fees. I'd bet most other hotels do the same as far as free shuttles.
We used to live in Laurel so we are familiar with the area - that helps.

 

[Swimalie]

We are heading to DC in April for our kids spring break. We are bringing our camper and staying here: http://www.cherryhillpark.com/index.cfm

Working on our itinerary for the trip now. We will be there during the Cherry Blossom Festival...

Be prepared for lots of crowds where ever you go downtown during the Festival.

I've found the Homewood Suites in Falls Church for our spring break, starting 4/17 for cheap. This hotes is rated #1 on trip advisor in Falls Church. Their website states they offer a free shuttle to the metro station (Dunn Loring).
Anyone have anymore info on this hotel? It has free parking, so that helps too and free breakfast. Is it truly 20 minutes to the Smithsonian from here?
Thanks!

That sounds like a good deal. Falls Church is a good area. You'll have some suburban feel but be fairly close to downtown. The Smithsonian via car it's about 10 min and via Metro about 25 min withe a few stops.

 

[bluesaturn]

We are heading to DC in April for our kids spring break. We are bringing our camper and staying here: http://www.cherryhillpark.com/index.cfm

Working on our itinerary for the trip now. We will be there during the Cherry Blossom Festival...

I heard the campground is very nice, and the area is good. There's quite a few kid friendly places to eat nearby.

we like staying in Greenbelt! My DH works near there during the week, so DD and I go into DC. The Hilton has a free shuttle service to the Metro and no parking fees. I'd bet most other hotels do the same as far as free shuttles.
We used to live in Laurel so we are familiar with the area - that helps.

Yeah it always helps to know the area

 

[TDC Nala]

I can see a Marriott Courtyard out my window, which is across from the Dunn Loring metro station. It is, however, a long ride in.

I've found the Homewood Suites in Falls Church for our spring break, starting 4/17 for cheap. This hotes is rated #1 on trip advisor in Falls Church. Their website states they offer a free shuttle to the metro station (Dunn Loring).
Anyone have anymore info on this hotel? It has free parking, so that helps too and free breakfast. Is it truly 20 minutes to the Smithsonian from here?

There's no way you're going to get to the Smithsonian in 20 minutes from the Dunn Loring metro station. It takes me 45 minutes under normal conditions to ride to Federal Triangle, where I work. The reason for this is that there are 13 stops between Dunn Loring and Federal Triangle. Smithsonian is the next stop up. This is assuming the museums you want are nearest the Smithsonian metro station. Some are closer to Federal Triangle or Metro Center, and some are closer to L'Enfant Plaza.

Also use www.wmata.com for Metro planning.

On weekends, they sometimes like to shut some of the tracks down for maintenance work, which means add another 20-30 minutes to the time it would normally take you to get anywhere. Trains come much faster on weekdays during rush hour (5 minutes usually between trains) than they do on weekends and non-rush hours (up to 10-12 minutes between trains).

 

[bamor]

Thanks to all regarding Falls Church area.
Cost of the room is around $119/night for our April vacation at the Homewood Suites. Hard pressed to find anything better this time of year, i think.
How is the parking situation around the Mall during the weekends? We wouldn't attempt during a weekday. Any good suggestions regarding parking?

 

[TDC Nala]

Thanks to all regarding Falls Church area.
Cost of the room is around $119/night for our April vacation at the Homewood Suites. Hard pressed to find anything better this time of year, i think.
How is the parking situation around the Mall during the weekends? We wouldn't attempt during a weekday. Any good suggestions regarding parking?

Yes, don't do it if you can help it. Especially in April. Use the Metro. Just be advised it'll take you 45 minutes for the ride, not 20, and keep an eye on wmata.com to see if they'll be doing track work on your weekend, and where.

 

[torinsmom]

If you can do Priceline, that is your best bet for great rates. I stayed at the Marriott Wardman Park for $95/night last June. It was in the Georgetown/Foggy Bottom area right beside a metro stop. Rack rate was $250 for that time. Parking was going to be $37/nt, but we just parked at the Ballston Mall in Arlington and metro'd to our hotel and all around DC. That was my first time using Priceline, and I have used it twice since.

You could stay here at the Comfort Inn Ballston for around $180/nt. They have free breakfast and free parking and are a few blocks from the Ballston Metro station.

http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-arlington-virginia-VA417?sid=Jvh2i.QzNVhgHir.1&month=6&day=8&depart_month=6&depart_day=9

 

[lovemygoofy]

Thanks to all regarding Falls Church area.
Cost of the room is around $119/night for our April vacation at the Homewood Suites. Hard pressed to find anything better this time of year, i think.
How is the parking situation around the Mall during the weekends? We wouldn't attempt during a weekday. Any good suggestions regarding parking?

Parking around the mall is $2/hr Monday-Saturday. Only Sunday is free anymore and during April all the tour buses have taken up any parking around the mall area.

 

[Jeninindy]

I heard the campground is very nice, and the area is good. There's quite a few kid friendly places to eat nearby.

Yes, I have heard the same thing - all of the camping boards recommended staying there. We know it is going to be busy - spring break time combined with the festival, but we will have plenty of time to see everything.