Looking For Hotel Advice in Washington, DC from some Freepers

02/14/2005 | Kevin Carne

[kcinnh]

Hi all,

I am taking my son's to DC to see the sites the last week of April. I have not been there in a long time and am looking at reserving a room at the Holiday Inn at 1501 Rhode Island Ave NW, WASHINGTON-CENTRAL/WHITE HOUSE. Can anyone tell me if this is a safe area?. An area that I can feel comfortable with two nine year olds going out day and night. Thank you for any advice.

[Slehn]

No need to be an an ass. Guy is looking for some help. Give help or ignore...your choice...but don't be an ass.

[UB355]

When my daughter was married in 1998 in DC my family stayed at this location. She got married at St Matthews Cathedral which was close by. No problems at that time although it was in November.


http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/dc57.htm

[bonfire]

Excuse me, but I was serious.

[TankerKC]

Spoken like a guy who's done plenty of business at the Pentagon. ;)

[freddiedavis]

try this http://www.washingtonhotels.com/clubquarters.html

[SoftballMominVA]

I'll second some really good advice--Stay in Springfield VA, just make sure you are close to the metro--and ride that sucker in. You will save money and feel a bit safer. Springfield Mall is nice and a good place to catch a movie if you hit a rainy day.

Whatever you are paying in DC will be much more than in Springfield. Enjoy!

[FreedomCalls]

How much are they usually?

[kcinnh]

One of the reasons I love Freeper land is the people...you all are great. Now with 10 or so browser windows I go hotel shopping!!!

[OC_Steve]

Agreed, Crystal City Marriott is very nice. I stayed there last July and it was very convenient to the Metro.

[Always Right]

I always stay at the Crystal City Marriott or the Gateway Marriott

But Crystal City is dead at night and only a handful of decent restaurants. I haven't been there in a few years, but have probably stayed at every hotel there.

[FairfaxVA]

You should be fine at any hotel in NW.

[BlueCat]

That hotel is just fine. Looks clean and is a safe location.

[montag813]

Henley Park Hotel...has one of the best restaurants in DC, Le Coeur de Lion, which has a simply indescribable Maitre D. Voted est M-D in Washington like every year.

[FateAmenableToChange]

I always stay at the Crystal City Marriott or the Gateway Marriott. Both are outside the "bad" side of DC and both are on top of a metro stop, so you can walk to a metro stop without even leaving the hotel. Very nice. You get around DC by metro and it is safe and easy and clean (wonders). No need to stay in DC, just stay in Arlington/Crystal City. . .you will be fine. . .and safe.

Same here. Go with what Gunrunner2 says - Crystal City is the most convenient spot, bar none.

[F105-D ThunderChief]

Gaithersburg has several nice studio type hotels, and very reasonable prices. It's a safe place with convenient access to the metro. I would encourage you to visit some of the DC restaurants (Chinatown) and the Smithsonian.

[mombonn]

No advice, except to say glad you didn't book Howard Johnson's.

Worst experience of my life when we attended the House Manager's Dinner.

I'd die before ever booking a room with them again.

[Fledermaus]

If you can afford upscale, the Loews L'Enfant is a nice place. Great views and a subway terminal below the hotel in the mall area. And it's only 2 blocks from the main Smithsonian buildings.

[TheMom]

I'll second the contacting your congressman. We received tickets to a "private" tour of the capitol. You arrive at least an hour before it is open to the public, learn lots & lots and it is quiet(er).

The Metro system there is wonderful and really easy to figure out.

[TomB]

I don't know what you are looking to be near, but last year my son and I stayed at the Holiday Inn Capitol at Smithsonian. It was a great place and only one block from the greatest of all museums, the Air and Space museum. It's also close to the Capitol.

I'm going back with the whole family this year, so I'm interested in the responses to this thread.

I'm also planning a trip to NYC. Does anyone have any recommendations for hotels/sightseeing? We're thinking of staying in the Times Square/Midtown area.

[Sisku Hanne]

Just spent the weekend following the inauguration in DC taking a class at the Washington Sculpture Center.
I was *very* pleased with our hotel...The Washington Suites Georgetown. You get a full kitchen, living room with sofa bed & bedroom with 2 doubles. There's a TV in each room- great for keeping the kids happy while the adults have their own space. It's less than 2 blocks from The Foggy Bottom metro at Georgetown University Hospital. It also has a parking lot on site and the best complimentary continental breakfast I've ever had. Very safe area, too.
I also considered Jury's at Dupont circle.
My main criteria were safe location, close to Metro stops, and easy walk to nearby shops and restaurants, which makes Georgetown/Foggy Bottom & Dupont Circle great choices.