Washington D.C. accommodations

[Ohiogirl]

We are planning a spring (April) trip to Washington D.C., arriving at Union station by train from Cary, NC for 3 nights. We've been there several times before, but not for 10 years or more. Want to see the newer monuments on the Mall, probably a couple of the Smithsonian museums and maybe do a building tour or two.

Looking for a reasonably priced B & B or small hotel ($150-$200) that is fairly close to a Metro station. Have looked on tripadvisor.com and BedandBreakfast.com but found very conflicting reviews, not quite sure which to believe.

Does anyone have any recent, first-hand advice?

[buggyone]

Well, you are probably going to be hitting Washington DC about the time of the cherry blossoms - which is a major tourist time - and the idea of moderately priced hotels is kind of out of the question.

I would recommend the JW Marriott for convenience. There is also a large Holiday Inn at L'Enfant Plaza that is very convenient to things.

The Mayflower Hotel has been acquired by Marriott, I believe, and is not a new hotel but very convenient to everything.

There are some hotels further out but you have to travel on the Metro. Bethesda, Maryland is a safe area you might have luck in finding a more reasonable priced hotel. There are some in Silver Spring, MD that may sound good but they are a quite a walk to the Metro and the area is a bit dicier to walk in. I would not recommend further out than Bethesda such as Rockville or Gaithersburg. Those take way too long on the Metro.

[llaran]

we went laast year and used Hotwire.com -- ended up at the dupont Hotel at Dupont Circle for 119 a night.

[jojo]

I like staying in DuPont Circle. You can walk to the embassy area - beautiful when the rhododendron and azaleas are in bloom. Metro stops are convenient. I love to walk from DuPont Circle to Georgetown too. It is truly a walking city. You can take the red line from Union Station to the DuPont metro.

[jackz]

I suggest you look at the Residence Inn located in Rosslyn, VA. It is a less than a 2 block walk to the Metro Station which will connect you to everything in DC, MD and VA and the hotel is comfortable with a full kitchen and also includes free hot breakfast each morning, free wine, beer and soft drinks to go with free appetizers each night. Runs approx $179 per night at that time although they have discounts for Senior Citizens, AAA etc;

Also, look at booking.com I have found this to be a great resource in investigating hotels around the world and enjoy reading the reviews posted by people who have actually stayed at the hotel. booking.com requires that to review a hotel you have had to have booked it via their site and stayed in the hotel. This prevents hotel employees and owners from abusing the review process.

Good luck and enjoy.

[Carla B]

We've also had good luck with Hotwire.com, as long as we stick with 3-1/2 Stars and up. We got a room at the Capitol Hilton for $99 but that was a few years ago.

One time I picked a 2-1/2 or 3-Star hotel near an airport for overnight and got more like a 1/2 Star, so the small price difference didn't work out.:sad:

[Ohiogirl]

Had kind of forgotten about Hotwire. Our preference for a multi-night stay is usually a B & B - just think it's fun to talk to the owners and other guests, but the ones I found in D.C. didn't seem like they really fit the profile of what I was looking for.

[momesu]

We are planning a spring (April) trip to Washington D.C., arriving at Union station by train from Cary, NC for 3 nights. We've been there several times before, but not for 10 years or more. Want to see the newer monuments on the Mall, probably a couple of the Smithsonian museums and maybe do a building tour or two.

Looking for a reasonably priced B & B or small hotel ($150-$200) that is fairly close to a Metro station. Have looked on tripadvisor.com and BedandBreakfast.com but found very conflicting reviews, not quite sure which to believe.

Does anyone have any recent, first-hand advice?

I lived in DC area for over 30 years and don;t ever recalling hearing much about B&B's in the close in area. I don't think they are very popular there other than about an hour or so away from city. Most area hotels that I would consider safe and reliable are chain hotels.

Suzanne, who is glad to now be in TV rather than DC.

[wendyquat]

Just from personal experience, you might try a Kimpton Hotel (www.kimptonhotels.com) They have several in the DC area. From personal experience I have stayed in the Hotel George near Union Station and also Hotel Monaco and Hotel Lorien in Alexandria, Va. The Lorien is a couple of blocks from the metro and Monaco is a few blocks further down the street but they have a trolley that runs back and forth.

Kimpton hotels can be pricey but I find they offer a lot of specials, especially if you sign up for their email alerts.

I believe the Hotel Morrison in Alexandria is also a bit like a bed and breakfast.

Good luck and enjoy!

[784caroline]

Msg Deleted

[jojo]

Just from personal experience, you might try a Kimpton Hotel (www.kimptonhotels.com (http://www.kimptonhotels.com)) They have several in the DC area. From personal experience I have stayed in the Hotel George near Union Station and also Hotel Monaco and Hotel Lorien in Alexandria, Va. The Lorien is a couple of blocks from the metro and Monaco is a few blocks further down the street but they have a trolley that runs back and forth.

Kimpton hotels can be pricey but I find they offer a lot of specials, especially if you sign up for their email alerts.

I believe the Hotel Morrison in Alexandria is also a bit like a bed and breakfast.

Good luck and enjoy!

I have stayed at the Lorien in Alexandria recently. Upscale boutique hhotel. They have a wine reception in the evenings. The location as noted is great. It is an easy walk down King Street to the wharf.