Washington DC?

[ratfam]

A DVC member told me that a few years ago they stayed at a condo in the DC area through an Interval International exchange, but looking at the listings I don't see anything. I only see the hotel, I think it is the Mandarin Oriental? Does anyone know whether there are other options in the DC area?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Donald's Main Squeez]

That hotel is amazing, if you get a chance to stay there! It is in a great location and costs a fortune if you were to pay cash!

 

[marjamsmom]

I'm very interested in this info also. Any suggestions?

 

[TiszBear]

I used my points in 2006 to stay at the Mandarian Oriental for vacation for a week. Let me tell you I LOVED IT!!! It was my annual mother/daughter vacation and we were pampered. From the moment the taxi pulled up the first day till the last day when the taxi drove away. I had access to the concierge all day, the staff was helpful and very nice. Just as a tip, if you want ice in room you can't go get it yourself, you need to call for ice. That was so weird fo us.

When we first got into the room the tv was tuned to their hotel channel and the screen said "Welcome Jennifer to the Mandarian Oriental." It had everythign you need on the touch screen. We walked to the Washington Monument but for hte most part took taxis everywhere.

I will say this if I didn't have the DVC I could not have afforded the room we had.

If you would like anymore information just let me know.

 

[marjamsmom]

Would you recommend it even if you have kids (ages 13 and 7)?

 

[TiszBear]

That is hard to say since I don't have children. There were families at the hotel. have you looked at their website? Here is their website address www.mandarinoriental.com/washington you can see the hotel and what they offer. Also on the top of the picture of the Jefferson Memorial (or whatever picture is showing) click Leisure. You will see a subcatagory called Younger Fan.

I hope this helps.

 

[ratfam]

Thanks for the input. The Mandarin sounds great, but we will also be traveling with our kids 13 and 10. They are well behaved so I'm not worried about that but don't know if it will be ideal for the 4 of us to be in a room with two double beds for a week. Also, someone mentioned concierge, is that something that comes automatically when using the points or do you need to get a certain level of room?

We were really hoping to get a condo because it would have had more space and we would have liked the kitchen, but we will definitely consider the Mandarin. Thanks again!

 

[Psychodisney]

We stayed at the Mandarin this summer on points. It is very nice but my kids(15, 13 and 9) didn't feel "welcome". They could tell the atmosphere was different than the feel at a DVC resort.
We stayed on the Tai Pan level (concierge level)which was terrific for the included breakfast. The rooms were beautiful. It is double beds-we actually had two rooms(party of 5). The bathrooms are large and gorgeous. The only down side to the location is that there are not many (any) restaurants near the hotel for dinner. There is a Starbucks and a Pot Belly and of course the hotel restaurants($$$$$$).

We never used the pool...too busy.

 

[marjamsmom]

Are there any resorts/condos in the vicinity of DC? I know there are some in Williamsburg, about how many hours away is that? Have never been to Williamsburg, so I have no idea.

 

[Psychodisney]

Williamsburg is a good 2-2 1/2 drive. It is highway but on a Saturday we experienced very heavy traffic.

We have friends that rented a house in the Annapolis area. Not on points-but they enjoyed it.