Where to stay in DC?

[torinsmom]

Can anyone give me tips on areas of DC that are safe to book a hotel in? I know every area can be dangerous, but I have heard that there are areas in and around DC that can be more so. I am trying to book through Priceline and can't get a bid accepted(within my budget) in Arlington, Alexandria, White House/Downtown, or Capitol/Convention Center. Areas I am unsure of are Georgetown/Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle/Woodley Park, National Harbor, Springfield, Suburbs(NOrtheast) and Mount Vernon.

Any help would be appreciated. We would like to be within few blocks of a metro station.

Marsha

 

[golfgal]

How much do you want to spend/night? We are staying at the Westin in Old Town Alexandria for $112/night. We bid on a 4* with that. There are 3.5*'s that go for about $80/night there. We are just a couple blocks from the metro and the hotel has a shuttle if needed (as do all of the ones I have looked at in Alexandria).

 

[Christine]

Can anyone give me tips on areas of DC that are safe to book a hotel in? I know every area can be dangerous, but I have heard that there are areas in and around DC that can be more so. I am trying to book through Priceline and can't get a bid accepted(within my budget) in Arlington, Alexandria, White House/Downtown, or Capitol/Convention Center. Areas I am unsure of are Georgetown/Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle/Woodley Park, National Harbor, Springfield, Suburbs(NOrtheast) and Mount Vernon.

Any help would be appreciated. We would like to be within few blocks of a metro station.

Marsha

Georgetown/Foggy Bottoms should be okay. Dupont/Circle/Woodley are okay. National Harbor is new, is about 10 miles outside of DC, has no Metro into DC so you would either be driving, taking a boat, or a bus into DC. Springfield is a suburb of DC, about 15 miles outside. There is a Metro there but it be about 30 minute Metro ride into DC depending on where you are going. Mount Vernon -- most parts are pretty nice but no good public transportation into DC.

 

[torinsmom]

Thanks guys, I will check in those areas. I am hoping to get out under $120/night. I was hopeful for even cheaper after seeing people were getting the Marriott Metro right in downtown for $60/night, but no such luck for me!

Marsha

 

[torinsmom]

Okay, added in Dupont Circle and got the 3.5* Washington Marriott Wardman Park for $95/night. SOunds like it is right by the Wooley metro station, which is good. Parking is $37/day, but I guess that is pretty standard. I am going to park my car and ride the metro while I am there; is there a cheaper place for long term(3 day) parking or should I just suck it up?

Marsha

 

[Christine]

Okay, added in Dupont Circle and got the 3.5* Washington Marriott Wardman Park for $95/night. SOunds like it is right by the Wooley metro station, which is good. Parking is $37/day, but I guess that is pretty standard. I am going to park my car and ride the metro while I am there; is there a cheaper place for long term(3 day) parking or should I just suck it up?

Marsha

I have heard that it is cheaper to leave your car at Union Station. I *thought* someone said it was $15 a day. You could probably google that to find out for sure.

 

[golfgal]

I have heard that it is cheaper to leave your car at Union Station. I *thought* someone said it was $15 a day. You could probably google that to find out for sure.

I have read that in several places as well. We are flying in and taking the metro from the airport-you could check to see what the long term parking at the airport is too.

 

[Christine]

I have read that in several places as well. We are flying in and taking the metro from the airport-you could check to see what the long term parking at the airport is too.

I thought of that also. I think long-term parking at Reagan National runs anywhere from $10-$15 per day.

 

[torinsmom]

I thought of that also. I think long-term parking at Reagan National runs anywhere from $10-$15 per day.

And the metro runs from the airport? Obviously it runs from Union Station. I'll have to see which is closer to the hotel and/or my route in. Wonder if I can check in with all my luggage and then drive somewhere else to park? Says on their website $17/hr or $37/day to park. Think they'll charge me $17 for unloading my luggage?

Marsha

 

[dejr_8]

We have stayed at the Hotel Harrington - http://www.hotel-harrington.com/ - and will stay there on our next visit to DC.

It is an older place but the location is great. If you are a hotel snob, this is not the place for you. If you can live with a place that has some "issues" then you will be very satisfied.

 

[golfgal]

And the metro runs from the airport? Obviously it runs from Union Station. I'll have to see which is closer to the hotel and/or my route in. Wonder if I can check in with all my luggage and then drive somewhere else to park? Says on their website $17/hr or $37/day to park. Think they'll charge me $17 for unloading my luggage?

Marsha

The metro runs from Reagan airport but not Dulles.

 

[Christine]

And the metro runs from the airport? Obviously it runs from Union Station. I'll have to see which is closer to the hotel and/or my route in. Wonder if I can check in with all my luggage and then drive somewhere else to park? Says on their website $17/hr or $37/day to park. Think they'll charge me $17 for unloading my luggage?

Marsha

I'm sure there is a "driveway" at the hotel for dropoffs and such; however, you might be able to put your bags on the curb but you won't be able to leave the car sitting there while you run in and check in.

Lots of people will get on the Metro at Reagan with bags and make their trip. The real issue is, how far is the Metro stop from your hotel? You probably don't want to be lugging baggage for 3 blocks.

 

[torinsmom]

THe website and reviews say the metro stop is literally the next door down. I was checking Mapquest and we may just take a taxi from the airport. It's only 6 miles. Of course, we may suck it up and park at the hotel. I haven't decided yet.

Marsha

 

[shortbun]

I loved this hotel's location!!! It's just down the street-nice walk-from the zoo. The zoo is free!! The Metro stop is right there at the edge of the hotel grounds. Also nearby and just south of the Metro stop are lots of great boutiques and some wonderful ethnic restaurants. There's also a Starbucks and Chipotle. In that neighborhood, the On/Off bus has a stop. We've stayed at the Marriott and the Omni Shoreham because we love the zoo so much. Are you flying in or driving in? If you're flying(Reagan) and healthy walkers, you could take the Metro and never need a car.

 

[torinsmom]

I loved this hotel's location!!! It's just down the street-nice walk-from the zoo. The zoo is free!! The Metro stop is right there at the edge of the hotel grounds. Also nearby and just south of the Metro stop are lots of great boutiques and some wonderful ethnic restaurants. There's also a Starbucks and Chipotle. In that neighborhood, the On/Off bus has a stop. We've stayed at the Marriott and the Omni Shoreham because we love the zoo so much. Are you flying in or driving in? If you're flying(Reagan) and healthy walkers, you could take the Metro and never need a car.

It's good to hear from someone who has actually stayed there! I need to call and request two beds. I guess they don't guarantee that when you book through Priceline. I am also wondering if there is a sofabed in the room. The website doesn't say. We are definitely healthy walkers, but we are driving in, so we will have our car. We only live 4 hours away, so I can't justify flying. We are definitely going to the zoo and I am happy to be so close!

Marsha

 

[DisneyWalker44]

Glad to hear you got a nice place. For the benefit of any lurkers, I'd like to suggest Crystal City as on option. There's no "neighborhood" to speak of - it's all hotels and office buildings. But it's safe, got great Metro access and can often be cheap (especially on weekends, when more touristy locals go sky high)

 

[torinsmom]

Glad to hear you got a nice place. For the benefit of any lurkers, I'd like to suggest Crystal City as on option. There's no "neighborhood" to speak of - it's all hotels and office buildings. But it's safe, got great Metro access and can often be cheap (especially on weekends, when more touristy locals go sky high)

You know, I went up to $80/night in Crystal City, Arlington and Alexandria and still got rejected. I am happy now to be closer to the action.

Marsha

 

[Jynohn]

We're paying about $115/night at the Crystal City Marriott for our upcoming trip. We booked it directly through their website. There is a metro station right underneath the hotel. I can't give a personal recommendation yet, but the reviews on tripadvisor were very good.

 

[manning]

We were there several weeks ago. We went with friends. They like to camp so we ended up staying in parkersburg. We went tne motel route.We drove to the Franconia-Springfield metro station and took the metro in. The metro ride is about 30-40 minutes.

Their son goes to DC quite a bit and knows his way around so he flew in for the weekend to show us around. He bid on the room but I don't know which company he used. His bid was for a 4 star. He got a 250 dollar room for 99 dollars and it was about a block away from the foggy bottom station. The all day ticket was under 10 dollars. I think a little over 8 dollars.

If you are going to stay in the Franconia-Springfield area and plan on seeing Arlington Cemetary, They are both on the same metro line. That would be the blue line.

In case you don't know DC is hilly. We were there Sat/Sun. On sunday we went to church in Georgetown. That was the longest 1-2 mile walk I took... all uphill.

By far we didn't see everything.

 

[mominwestlake]

We are going in July and staying at the Residence Inn Capitol. We got the room for $118 a night. It's a 1 bedroom suite (2Q beds) and a sofa bed. Plus, there is a free breakfast every morning. The location is good for walking to the museums and it is near a metro. There aren't a lot of restaurants for at night so we will need to eat before we head back each evening.

Anybody going August 6 through 10th? If so, pm me if you need tickets to Ford's Theater or the Washington Monument.