I would not limit myself to "in DC". Look at places in Silver Spring or Greenbelt and take the Metro into the city.
Don't try to drive your own car into the city and find parking.
This is if you are coming from the Northeast.
From the South or West, Arlington or Pentagon City work well.

I couldn't disagree more. Stay in DC and save yourself a lot of time.

The JW Marriott is an enormous business hotel (all-marble lobby type). Stayed there once and thought it was okay, but I was there on business. Location is pretty good for sightseeing, but not for evenings out.

The Westin in Foggy Bottom. I think that I stayed there once when it was under another name and it was a beautiful hotel - elegant, not at all "cold". Good location (walkable to Georgetown, near the metro).

But me, I'd choose the Palomar because I like Kimpton hotels in general, and because I love Dupont Circle as a place to stay in DC. Lots of shopping and restaurants, metro, great residential area, embassies, just a wonderful neighborhood (probably where I'd want to LIVE if I lived in DC).

I would NOT stay in Georgetown because the metro doesn't go to Georgetown.

I also disagree with staying in SS (where I live) or Greenbelt.

This parking garage is open 24/7/365 and is currently $22/24 hours. It is located at 1725 DeSales Street which is south of Dupont Circle right off Connecticut Avenue NW and is about 0.6 miles from the Palomar (according to Google Maps)

http://www.pmi-parking.com/garages/locationDetail.aspx?GarageID=112&RegionID=1

Union Station is also open 24/7/375 and is currently $22/24 hours.
http://www.unionstationdc.com/parking

I was going to tell you that Montgomery County garages are free on holidays and weekends and recommend that you perhaps consider parking in a county lot in Bethesda, but Friday is not a holiday according to the Montgomery County website. If that is something that interests you, I can look into it further.

What days do you plan on doing the driving?

If you decide on the Palomar check out Groupon and Sniqueaway first. There is always a discount for that hotel and other Kimpton locations. The B&B that I usually stay at in DC closes for that weekend due to low business. I would think that you would be able to get a great deal in DC on that weekend.

Patrick,

I think the Palomar is best suited to what you want out of those you mentioned. The location is a better pedestrian area (some great restaurants on that block) and very close to Metro. Gentrification pushed most gays east to 17th St. and eastward over to the 14th St. area a LONG time ago but The Fireplace is still there (a few doors down from the Palomar, generally age 35+).

The JW has a lot of families with children (and $$$, I think it's overpriced).

24th & M (Westin "Georgetown" - Ha! it's Foggy Bottom, not EVEN Georgetown) is not a particularly happening area not is it close to Metro. The Westin Embassy Row is a great location, however.

Another worth a looking at is Hotel Helix, a Klipmton hotel. Great location thought not right next to Metro, but has the myriad 14th St. bus lines including the Circulator buses. Also walkable to the White House, etc.

14th st. (between N St. & V st.) has many nice restaurants, cafes, shops and a few small theaters. worth exploring even if you don't stay there.

You might also look The William Lewis House - "Washington DC's friendliest Gay Bed & Breakfast" - 3 blocks to U St. Metro or, again, the myriad 14th St. bus lines including the Circulator buses. Also walkable to the White House, etc.

As to the suggestion above by tomfuller to consider the close-in burbs for a hotel base: Only if you would do the same when visiting NYC....

bardo, what in the world gives you the impression Neo is looking to stay in a "gay neighborhood" or "gay bed & breakfast"? All he said was he doesn't want a hotel overrun with families with kids -- neither would I!

Another vote for the Palomar but I am a total Kimpton fan. As noted, great neighborhood, close to metro and also very walkable to Georgetown if that is a destination for you. I like the Helix too (are you looking for a hotel that caters to gay clients?) but it's a little farther from a metro station and the Palomar is a nicer hotel.

My second choice would be the Westin for the some of the same reasons. Nice mix of residential, higher end hotels, restaurants. Close to Dupont Circle and close to metro (5 minute walk to Foggy Bottom) and Circulator buses. Quieter than Dupont. (bardo -- is Georgetown really "happening" these days?)

If the National Mall is where you're going to spend most of your time, the JW Marriott might be a good choice.

PMI has 3 lots that do 24/7 parking we recommend to visitors and parking runs from $22 to R$30 a day there:

1725 DeSales Street NW
1325 G Street NW
900 New York Ave NW

I would pass on Union Station given the holiday. We often recommend Reagan National where you can part for $12 (economy) and $20 (closer and covered) but, like the train station, it's likely to be a madhouse with traffic or full b/c of the heavy travel time.

I know Patrick is not looking to stay in a gay neighborhood - it just happens the the best areas sometimes are "gay". I suggested the hotels (and one B&B) based on superior neighbor vibes/architecture/cafes etc.

< it just happens the the best areas sometimes are "gay".>
So true, IMO!

Fwiw, I agree with all of the above except for the idea of staying in the suburbs. We'll be in DC over Thanksgiving too--hope you enjoy it!

Actually, I guess Bardo knows me. But B&B's are usually not my thing, and one with shared baths is NOT for us!

Thanks for the comments all. The parking is an issue now. The Palomar charges $48.37 a night for parking -- including taxes, which seems pretty typical. I don't see us looking for free street parking because it's the weekend -- seems like a pain to me.

Our plans are to drive down (from north of Philadelphia ON Thanksgiving Day, although if my partner does get out of work on Wednesday around noon, which is a good possibility, we might leave and head to Baltimore Inner Harbor for that night. I suspect the traffic will be worse though on Wednesday afternoon and evening than it will on Thanksgiving. We'll also be driving home on Sunday.

Of the three hotels I mentioned JW Marriott has the best cancellable rate (which is the only way I'll do it) of $127. The Palomar is $161 and has free internet. The Westin is $142,
The Helix doesn't seem nearly as nice as The Palomar and I think the location is not as good.

Do most of you think the Palomar is a better location than the Westin?

Oh, Bardo, I couldn't find the Westin Embassy Row -- I guess it's now The Fairfax Embassy Row, a Luxury Collection Hotel?
They have a rate of $127 for a superior room with King. Wow. Sounds great. Is it? And a better location than the others do you think?

Do most of you think the Palomar is a better location than the Westin?

Yes! And we parked in a garage right near DuPont Circle (we were staying at the DuPont Hotel) that was in the price range obxgirl quoted. It was on New Hamshire Avenue right at the circle, so a few blocks from the Palomar.

Wow, that looks like a great deal, in a great location!

Patrick, If the Fairfax Embassy is the one at 2100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, it's effectively the same location as the Palomar. A block or so away. Don't know the hotel by experience but the rate sounds super. DC is a bargain over Thanksgiving.

Well, yes, $127 sounds great. But with parking, internet, and taxes that is actually $296.10 a night. Of course, other rates get similar additions. Just whining, I guess.

But with that in mind -- do you think the Fairfax is a better choice than the Palomar? Actually although the Palomar has free internet, add in parking and taxes, and it's about $20 more than the Fairfax.

The parking should be equal, because you should be parking in one of the public garages nearby either way.

Neither is a "better choice" - it depends on the style of hotel you like. How big are the rooms at the Palomar - the rooms at the Fairfax are 250 sf - similar?

Ooops. Major typo That was supposed to be $206.10 for the Fairfax above -- not 296!

Yes, obxgirl, that's the address. So maybe that parking mentioned above would work for us. How much do you think we'll want the car over the weekend? Is walking to and around Georgetown too far? The Smithsonian?

Taxes, internet and parking add up to $169? Are you sure?

You will not need the car AT ALL while you're in DC. You can get to Georgetown by bus, and everyplace else (including Alexandria) by metro.

sf7307 -- ????
What is that $169? The total at Fairfax is $206.10. The Palomar total would be about $226.

If your destinations are all in the city (and even to Alexandria) you won't want your car at all.

20 minute walk to Georgetown. Double that plus a bit to the National Mall but Dupont Metro is close to either hotel for getting to the Smithsonians on the NM.

OK, Meanwhile, I'm sure I read through a recent thread here about Thanksgiving dinner in DC. I've been searching every way I know how and it doesn't come up. I remember one suggestion about a smallish inn that sounded great. Or do I need to start over with recommendations?

Tabard Inn.

(BTW, the $169 was $296-$127)

Perhaps it was the Tabard Inn?

http://www.tabardinn.com/

OH, I see, sf, you were responding before I corrected that typo, and speaking only of the taxes, internet, and parking -- NOT including the room itself. OK

Yes, the Tabard Inn. Someone here mentioned they were married there!

Was it the smallish inn the Tabard Inn perhaps?

It's one I frequently recommend. I eat there often. It's a few blocks from the Dupont Metro and has GREAT food. Most of their rooms have private bath and the price is good.

Yes, the Westin Embassy Row is now the Fairfax Embassy Row. No difference in terms of location from the Palomar - as mentioned they are close to one another.

Hmmm. Now that I look at the Tabard Inn, I must say the inn and the public rooms like wonderful, but the only dining room picture (other than the pretty private dining rooms) leaves me quite cold. Checkerboard tile floor, plaster walls, lots of glass windows and not a drapery or rug in sight. Seems like it would be terribly noisy when busy -- with hard uncomfortable non upholstered chairs? I guess I was thinking the place sounded like tons of really old fashioned charm, but this room sure doesn't look it -- even if the food is good. Am I wrong?

Tell me about the Old Ebbet Grill.

DC has quite a number of places open during the day on Thanksgiving. Tabard Inn is excellent. Two other top places serving traditional Tgiving meals within easy walking distance of your two current hotel choices are Blue Duck Tavern and Vidalia.

Bardo, the Tabard's rooms are more expensive than the Fairfax -- minimum price for a standard room with private bath is $195 before taxes! More for their nicer rooms.
That might be a nice place to eat one night (or lunch) but I don't think it's what we're looking for atmosphere wise for Thanksgiving dinner.

I've eaten at brunch at the bar at the Tabard Inn twice. The bar is in the main dining room right near the entrance from the lounge where people wait to be seated. It does get kind of loud in there and the second time I was there some woman was squawking like a pterodactyl. There are other dining rooms but I could not find any images of them online.

The Old Ebbitt is a DC stalwart. The place is massive, loud, and always busy with in town suits and out of town visitors. The food is consistently good but never brilliant or adventurous. In that respect, it's probably a good choice for a traditional Thanksgiving.

Yes, admittedly we're looking for classic turkey and fixings or similar -- not a grand "foodie" experience. Although I said I didn't like "loud" -- I think there might be a difference between a huge place that is bustling and loud and a very small room with echoing noise. But I'm open to other "traditional" dining experiences for Thanksgiving dinner as well, but hopefully not the usual hotel dining room -- staid and uninspired.

Georgia Brown's always serves a very traditional Thanksgiving dinner...

I haven't been to Georgia Brown's in ages, but if it's still good it would be my choice for Thanksgiving dinner. I love Southern food!

so informative and useful any one...

NP; If you are still considering the Westin in Georgetown. If you don't have a Starwood American Express, they now have a promotion of 30,000. points. You get 10,000 upon approval and then 20,000 more after spending $5,000 within six months. No fee for the first year.

So, if you signed up, you would get the 10,000 points. For you dates you could do points and dollars, or 4800 points and $90 dollars, taxes included per night. You could do two nights at this rate and then do the going rate for the last night.

Or if you spent another $4400 after approval by the end of October, you would have the three nights using points and dollars.

But if you were able to spend $4400 dollars by the end of October, you may also be able to spend another $1600 dollars by then and have three free nights after getting the additional 20,000 points. I hope I have not confused you, but after spending $6000 by the end of October you would have 36,000 points.

Takes 12,000 points per night for a free night.

No thanks, iris. I use my Citibank Aadvantage card to get AA miles. That's how I got to Europe every year Business Class -- a much better value for my credit card expenditures.

I have booked at the Fairfax, by the way (near Dupont Circle).

Georgia Brown's looks great (although I couldn't really find any good interior pictures on their website).

Miles are great. We are in DC in three weeks. Using the Westin, points and dollars for two nights. Then the JW Marriott for three nights. Only had enough points for two free nights [60,000] and the third night cost $199.

Georgia Brown's looks good.

Patrick, if you google images for Georgia Brown's you can get a better look at the interior. It's white table cloths and booths. Not stuffy though, a bit noisy as it's typically busy especially at happy hour. More suits and fewer tourists than the Old Ebbitt. Very good food, huge portions. Would be a good choice for Thanksgiving.

Thanks, obxgirl, I had looked at their website with a bunch of pictures, but none really of the interior. Found some on Google images. The funny thing is when I typed in "Google images Georgia Brown's" what came up first was your post right above!!!

Georgia Brown's is going to be packed and noisy on Thanksgiving. The tables are very close together. It has a nice interior, but it always feels stuffed. Vidalia would be a better choice, but its interiors are uninspiring. Noisy dining rooms are a chronic problem in DC

Georgia Brown's is fine but not fabulous, IMO. One of my favorites in that general area is DC Coast at the corner of 14th and K NW. Not sure what their schedule will be on Thanksgiving but would be worth checking.

In your Dupont Circle area try Bistrot du Coin at 1738 Connecticut Av (near corner of S) which feels like a slice of Paris. I especially recommend the salade frisée aux lardons, and the hanger steak is always scrumptious. Casual, very reasonably priced and just plain good. Can be a bit loud when busy but in a way that is part of the charm. Good wine list, too.

Komi at 1509 17th St. NW is a hot spot for a very good reason - excellent food and service. Greek food at its finest, and that ain't no souvlaki. If you want a place for a memorable meal, this is it. Not cheap but worth every penny.

The iconic gay dining venue, Annie's Paramount Steak House, is at 1609 17th Street between Q and R, a couple blocks off Dupont Circle. The place may not be in danger of any Michelin stars and the menu has been justifiably described as upscale diner but it is reliable and reasonable and the cocktails are especially good. The fried clam strips are a gustatory journey to the old HoJos, and crab cakes very respectable. I am still adapting to the new decor but the place remains a community gem.

I have stayed at the Westin Fairfax on Embassy Row. It is an older, classic hotel. The room we were in was small, but the decor and linens were wonderful. Plus the location is terrific, handy to the metro. I would stay there again.

Al Gore lived in this building as a child, before it was a hotel.

Fairfax Embassy Row is a great location. Dupont Circle area has lots of restaurants and easy access to the metro. There is a great farmers market right there on Sundays. And actually Al Gore lived at the Fairfax Hotel as a child during the school year.

If u want to try Komi's u need to call for a reservation one month in advance. It is a small space and is regarded as one of the top restaurants in DC. Their newer addition, Little Serow has excellent food from Isaan Thailand. No reservations and set menu. If u go early other than weekends u don't generally have too much of a wait.

Avoid the Old Ebbitt if you don't like noise unless you are in the so-called "back room."

Annie's...sorry. It can be a fun venue if you are with a bunch of others but IMO the food isn't nearly as good as it used to be and the beef on the plate is not nearly as good as you can get in other restaurants.

OK, it's a gay eating icon but you can do better IMO.

For Thanksgiving dinner u might look at 1789 in Georgetown. It has a nice interior, is generally low key and on the quiet side. I haven't been there in awhile, but it still consistently gets good reviews.

1789 is a great idea for a low-key, classic Thanksgiving. Other ideas: Morrison Clark, Sou'Wester at the Mandarin Oriental, Plume is you want to splurge big-time.

Not as traditional in decor, but strong cooking, is Poste. If you can get a booth it is a comfy place to dine. Great oysters.

1789 is a charmer--great idea, I agree. FYI, though, it's all the way by the University, which means a cab ride to and fro or quite a long walk from a Metro station. It would be a pretty walk through Georgetown, though, and worth a cab IMO. If the weather is nice I would take a cab to, say, Wisconsin and P, and stroll from there.

Another vote for the 1789 and I'm somehow certain you'll have the required coat along with you. There's always Nora if you like organic food.