Hotel for first trip to Washington D.C.

We stayed at the Harrington hotel.Perfect location,10 minutes walk to W.house or Mall. Metro in the vicinity and restaurants.Advise you to take the old town trolley the first day.You can get on/off all day.Paul

Scootoir,

Neither if these hotels are particularly close in. How did you come up with these two? Both have plenty of restaurants nearby.

The Omni Shorham is 3 blocks to the Zoo Metro station.

The Carlyle Suites are 7 blocks to the Dupont Metro station. I like the Carlyle's neighborhood better of the two, though.

Hotel Harrington is also a good recommendation.

Just so you know, $250 hotels in DC are considered budget hotels (like Red Roof Inn or Hotel Harrington). I'm not sure which is your priority - really nice rooms or a really nice location. For $250 you usually don't get both (unless they are running a special that works with your dates), you need to decide which is the priority.

Here are some others that are an easy walk to all the tourists sites you might also look at are:

Red Roof Inn Chinatown (under $250). Two blocks to Gallery Place Metro. Limitless restaurants nearby. 7 blocks walk to National Mall. http://redroof.com/reservations/property-detail.aspx?pid=00254

Tabard Inn (under $250)- a charming B&B type hotel. Two blocks to Dupont Circle Metro. Limitless restaurants nearby. 9 blocks walk to White House. http://www.tabardinn.com/

Courtyard Washington Convention Center (could be well under $250 if there are no major conventions or if you can catch a special). One block to Gallery Place Metro. Limitless restaurants nearby. 4 blocks walk to National Mall.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wascn-courtyard-washington-convention-center/

Check out the Sofitel, right near the White House. I think we paid around $250, it's a top flight hotel.

Scoot, What time of year are you visiting? That can make a big difference in how far your $250 will go. Additionally, some areas (Crystal City for instance, not downtown) will have far better rates on weekends than mid week when the biz travel dries up.

The time of your travel is everything. High prices during cherry blossoms and convention seasons (mid Sept to early Nov, April-May), and great bargains available during dead times for conventions (mid-Dec to early Jan, late August).

As for holiday weekends, you'll see good prices at Labor Day and but great demand for July 4 and Columbus Day. Year round, you may find good rates at business-class hotels on some weekends.

It doesn't seem like money is really that big of an issue, since the Omni Shoreham is under consideration. Bardo's advice on the neighborhoods around the hotels you've highlighted. I'd only stay at the Hotel Harrington if you have no other options since convenience is its only advantage.

Hotel Lombardy at 21st and I Streets, NW.

The Omni Shoreham is right at the Woodley Park Metro-corner of Calvert and Connecticut.Transportation wise, its very convenient. Lots of restaurants on that block of Connecticut although many are tourist oriented. I would not stay at the Hotel Harrington.

I havent been inside the Caryle Suites in awhile, but I heard they recently renovated and the rooms are quite nice. I like its location over the Omni if you don't mind the short walk to the Metro.

I don't know the particular hotel (Carlyle Suites) but it looks like it's in the Dupont Circle residential area (?) If that's right, it's a beautiful neighborhood -- we stayed on Dupont Circle recently at the Dupont Hotel and walked around the neighborhood northeast of the circle several times. Lovely.

Loved the location of the Ritz Carlton Arlington, and our room cost less than $250 (2 years ago). Great accomodations and right on top of a metro station so the location was Fabulous!

Thank you all for your suggestions and info. We are considering traveling this October, found a special price at the Shoreham and it is highly reviewed on Trip Advisor. It seemed a little distant from major sights but think we can live with that.

Frank, the Sofitel was our first choice but seems to be $500 a night--how did you find a $250 rate?

SF, thanks for the info on the Dupont Circle sounds like a good neighborhoo.

Bardo, we'll look into your suggestions.

Finally, we were in college during the Watergate scandal and our first thought was to stay at the Watergate Hotel. What a great scrapbook it would have made but unfortunately it is closed.

S.

Scootoir,

Let us know where you end up reserving - I can offer some specific restaurant suggestions once I know where home base is.

I think that is a good choice. The metro will get u to wherever u want to go. If u enjoy walking u can easily walk down Connecticut Ave to Dupont Circle or across the Calvert Street bridge into Adams Morgan. BTW-the neighborhood around the Shoreham is quite nice also.

Try looking on Expedia for the Kimpton hotels. Then call Kimpton and ask them to match the Expedia price. There are a few near Dupont Circle. I stayed at the Palomar but that is at the top end of their range. Then join their In Touch program and you get free Wifi and $10 in snacks from the minibar.

>>Frank, the Sofitel was our first choice but seems to be $500 a night--how did you find a $250 rate?<<

Because he was probably traveling at different time of the year when the rates were lower. The comment about rates fluctuating with the calendar has been made a couple of times here. October is typically much pricier. For tourists it's a pleasant time to visit weather wise and the school groups are not overwhelming. For biz/gov't it's a fairly active time so many of the downtown hotels are booked.

If your reservation at the Shoreham can be canceled, why not make it now and continue to investigate the other suggestions. That hotel is not the closest one to the National Mall but it's a relatively short and easy ride on the metro. The Shoreham is in a very pleasant part of DC. You could do a lot worse.

A lot depends on what you prefer to be near at your hotel. If you stay close to the Mall or the Capitol it is harder to find stuff that is open at night. The restaurants tend to cater to the lunch crowds in those places. Dupont is a great area for nighttime, lots of restaurants and most places open at night. Plus some great bars and coffee shops. And Adams Morgan is a great artsy area in DC that is fun to check out. The area near the Zoo is a little more rural and may not be as interesting. I also have stayed in several of the Kimpton Hotels and they are amazing. I highly recommend them, but become an in touch member if you do. One we stayed at in Virginia even gave you a goldfish for your room if you want one.

<<<The area near the Zoo is a little more rural and may not be as interesting.>>>

Well, "less urban", maybe, but "more rural"? I haven't seen them milking cows in that neighborhood

Scootoir: I checked our bill, we paid $232 per night including taxes in April, 2009. We stayed 3 nights during the Cherry Blossom Festival. October must be a real expensive month. We went over a weekend which is usually less than weekdays and we booked directly through the hotel website. I checked a 3 day weekend in October and it's coming up at about $320 per night with taxes. Still high but not $500. Check all of the special offer on the hotel website, some include food credits and free breakfast also free night if you stay 4 nights.

sf7307 -- u missed the cows and chickens near the Omni???? Maybe u saw the goats??? U must come back again!
Actually the Omni is not that close to the zoo. In any case the area around the hotel and the zoo is residential with some nice houses. Conn Ave near the hotel offers a wide array of restaurants and some shops.
If u can get a better rate closer in to the heart of the tourist area, that would be good. Otherwise, the Omni is a good choice.
Enjoy DC--at least by October we won't be having this awful hot and humid weather that has plagued us all summer.

The biggest problem I see with the Omni is that it's a 1/2 mile from the metro.

The metro stop is right at the corner from the hotel. The hotel is on Calvert at Conn. U walk up to Connecticut Ave, turn left and its right there. I can't imagine its a half a mile...maybe 1/4 mile.

I started thinking I was confused about the Omni and the metro. Per google its 2/10 of a mile to the Woodley Park Metro Red line Stop.

Rural was not a good choice of words. It's a park. And a pretty nice one. Rock Creek Park.

I googled it too and it said 1/2 mile!!

<<<Rural was not a good choice of words. It's a park. And a pretty nice one. Rock Creek Park.>>>

Well, yes, that would be like referring to Central Park West or 5th Avenue above 60th Street as "rural".

The Shoreham hotel sprawls over a vast expanse of land (well, vast for a city hotel) on the edge of Rock Creek Park, so although it is two blocks to Metro from the closest corner of the property, it may be almost a mile to Metro if you measure from a distant wing.

>>Well, yes, that would be like referring to Central Park West or 5th Avenue above 60th Street as "rural".<<

Yes, I agree.

I was trying not to sprinkle on the other post.

You're right -- I should have put a smiley face at the end of my post.

I hate to beat a dead horse on this distance thing, but i find it highly unlikely that it's a mile from the furthest point in the hotel. Yes, its a big hotel that backs up to Rock Creek Park, but doubtful that one would walk 3/4 of a mile to get to the entrance of the hotel, 2500 Calvert St NW. which is where I assume google measures from. I have walked it often and its like 5 minutes maybe 10 if u walk slowly. When I first put the address of the hotel in and the Woodley Park metro I got 1/2 mile too. When I looked at the map it was not at the metro stop which is at Woodley & Conn Ave NW. When I put those cross streets in it came out to .2. Enuff from me on this...

Had to check - according to the Omni website, it says the metro is one block from the hotel!

well, there u go, right from the horses mouth, so to speak! I know I said no more from me, no will power! How's the SEAsia trip coming along? Samantah Brown had VN on her show the other night.

Again thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I will look at the Omni's cancel policy and consider grabbing it and keep looking.

jckimba, I appreciate the comment about places not being open in the evening near the mall or capitol. Being a first-time I had not considered that.

Frank, I am so jealous of the Sofitel rate. I would have expected one would pay a higher price during cherry blossom time. I will take another look at their specials.

Checking Kimpton as well. Thanks everyone, I'll keep you posted on our plans.

S.

GeorgeW, you mentioned the Hotel Lombardy which I took a look at today. The price is somewhat higher than the Omni but within our range. What do you like about this hotel?

I stayed at the Palomar, just off Dupont Circle, last year and am happy to recommend it. I was on my first visit to Washington too, and found it very convenient, in a charming neighbourhood, with easy access to some excellent restaurants.
The hotel staff were an example of how good hospitality staff can be.

http://www.hotelpalomar-dc.com/

No luck with the Palomar for our dates, tried the Monaco, also a Kimpton hotel but it's more than $400 per night. I think we would have liked the location of the Palomar, not sure about the price. I booked the Omni and with their 3rd night free offer it came out to about $200 per night including the 14.5% tax. Not sure we can best that but I am open.

I'd have been surprised to hear you could get the Palomar or the Monaco for $250 a night. The $250 for the Sofitel in May was a seriously good deal.

If you like Kimptons (I do), try the Rouge on 16th St NW for your dates. It's much more centrally located near Dupont Circle. Not as upscale as the above, but definitely with the Kimpton touches and hospitality.

Not a Kimpton, but did you look at the Dupont Hotel all ready mentionedl? Dupont Circle takes it easily over the Shoreham location.

>>jckimba, I appreciate the comment about places not being open in the evening near the mall or capitol. Being a first-time I had not considered that.<<

That's not exactly true about restaurants being closed near the mall and Capitol. Really depends on the hotel.

Scootoir,

Did you heck the Tabard Inn near Dupont Circle for your dates (or look at the photos?)? Even the Penthouse Suite is under $250.

http://www.tabardinn.com/rooms/tour/private_bath

check...

Agree that Hotel Rouge and Hotel Dupont would be better locations than Omni. Tabard Inn also is a good location.

>>jckimba, I appreciate the comment about places not being open in the evening near the mall or capitol. Being a first-time I had not considered that.<< Yep, that is not an accurate statement, but there are way more choices in Dupont Circle area.

Pity about the Palomar. They do have specials - I paid $199 in April. Hope you find the perfect spot.

Would like the Hotel Dupont but rates average $400 per night during our stay. I can't bring myself to pay double over the Omni. We will consider the Hotel Rouge however. A quick price check shows it is not much more than the Omni so we will explore it. Thanks.

Bardo, the Tabard may not be our cup of tea. I have a knee that doesn't like stairs so we often have to skip historic hotels and b&bs. Love the decor though.

Scootoir, I know of the Lombardy because it is near my work three blocks from the White House. The location is great and at least twenty-five restuarants are within five minutes walk.

We often stay at the George Washington University Inn. It's a lovely location on a quiet street and just a few blocks from the metro. The rooms are large and we just got reservations for next week for an AAA rate of $143 for 2 double beds.

Hi theatrelover,
I tried the GWUI's website and the best rate I can see is $274 for a King bedded room for our dates in October. It won't accept aaa as a code but perhaps I am missing a step or something. Of course it may just be more expensive in the fall.

You could try giving them a call and see what the AAA rate is. Of course, depending on the dates (for example, around holiday weekends) rates might differ but it might be worth a phone call. I did not find the $143 rate online.

My guess is that the late August price reflects much lower demand for that time--October is popular with tourists, and it is prime time for business and convention visitors.

The advice I offered over a week ago

Try looking on Expedia for the Kimpton hotels. Then call Kimpton and ask them to match the Expedia price. There are a few near Dupont Circle. I stayed at the Palomar but that is at the top end of their range. Then join their In Touch program and you get free Wifi and $10 in snacks from the minibar.

Sorry mlgb, I didn't mention that I tried such a search and the best rate for a Kimpton was $259 a night in Alexandria. Hotels closer in were about $300. So far we're sticking with the Omni.

Not sure if the Carlyle Suites are still in the running or not, but just in case it is of any help ... my girls and I stayed there last October for a week. Not cheap, but a nice splurge. It was a lovely walk to and from the metro. Night- time walking was fine, too. very nice 2 lane streets. Embassies. Trees. Enough foot traffic to feel comfortable. the grocery store was near by, which worked well as we had breakfasts and some dinners in our room. The kitchenette had a fridge, sink, toaster, microwave, new-style coffee maker, a stove, dishes a a few cooking things. We had a corner room on the top floor. (I had read that top floor or front or back rooms were best Not lower rooms on the side). Could even see the Washington Monument faaaar away. The beds were very comfortable. The staff were very nice and polite. The security is good. There is a washer and dryer downstairs. So if you end up with a good rate there, you should be fine.

Hi Suz,

I like the location and look of the Carlyle but it's about $100 per night more than the Omni. The thrifty side of me is having trouble letting go of the Omni rate.

I think you may have just missed the sale on Kimpton hotels, as I don't see those good rates for October any more.

Stick with the Omni --- it is a grand old hotel in a lovely park setting, within a few blocks of Metro and at least dozen restaurants for your dinners (one, New Heights, is fine dining; the others are moderate locally owned neighborhod places, no chains).

I agree with kayd. U'll be fine at the Omni. I got sent specials from Kimpton recently but the rates were only good thru early September.

Thanks kayd & yestravel. I'll still keep an eye open for special rates but I think we have our hotel for our week in Washington. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Fodorites are the best.

Some of the rooms at the Omni can be pretty dinky. But it is very close to a Metro. The rooms in the main part of the hotel are older but roomier. So make sure where your room is.

Thanks Sher. I planned to call them tomorrow to ask for a room on a higher floor so we can sleep with the window open and not hear street noise or people coming and going. I'll ask for the main area as well.

Where the hotel is located I don't think you will really have any problem with street noise.
I do think, however, to be sure that it is away from the ballroom area. IF I remember correctly we stayed there once and it was noisy because we were above that section of the hotel. But that may have changed.
Some of the newer rooms are really far from the reception area.

We go to DC every Spring for a conference my husband attends which is held there. We stay in the area because the Metro is very close and I feel very safe around there. There is always a lot going on just a block away.

Sher, I haven't called yet, plan to tomorrow so the ballroom info was helpful. We're really looking forward to the trip.

How do you feel about a bed & breakfast? I have stayed at the Woodley Park Guest House in Woodley Park twice. You can see the Metro stop from the front porch. They have 25 rooms so it is more like a boutique hotel. The price should fit your budget. They serve a nice cold breakfast in the morning with fresh pastry etc. The neighborhood has many ethnic restaurants and shops. It is also about 2 blocks from the zoo. They also have another location that is a bit more pricey. Checkout their website. This was a Fodor recommendation the first time I went.

I beleive that the Omni is across the street and the walk to the Metro is about a block but it would be uphill to the hotel.

Just to add to my post above. Places in the neighborhood were open late. I would spend the day sightseeing via the Metro and come back later in the evening and have a reasonably priced dinner and walk back to the Guest house.

Gardendiva, these inns do look like our kind of places unfortunately they are booked for the week we are visiting. The prices were better than what we are paying since breakfast is included. I did find some restaurants that we might try on their website. Thank you for the suggestion.

L'Enfant Plaza Hotel is situated directly above a metro station, and other forms of public transportation are available right outside the front door. It's also within walking distance of many sites. The rate is much lower than the 250 you mentioned; though the hotel may not be quite as upscale at those in your message. Hope this helps.

As convenient as L'Enfant Plaza is to the mall, the area is otherwise a little sparse.

Depending on how budget-sensitive your planning is, you might consider looking in the Rosslyn-Clarenden corridor of northern VA - along the Orange metro line. It certainly lacks the character of areas around DuPont Circle or Woodley park, certainly, but it's much more developed than when you were last there, and prices are less than in the District. There's a lively cafe/restaurant scene out Wilson Blvd. esp. around the Courthouse and Clarenden stops. If you're a good walker, you can easily cross Key Bridge from Rosslyn into Georgetown, which is otherwise unserved by the Metro. Several of the major chains have hotels around Rosslyn and Courthouse stops.

If you haven't been there since the Watergate Hotel was there, you'll be astounded at the growth, and particularly around Rosslyn.

Stick with the Omni. It's a fine hotel in a lovely area with tons to do during the day and night. Within easy walking distance: zoo, Adams Morgan, Woodley Park restaurants, Dupont Circle, red line metro. As far as Woodley restaurants go, I highly recommend Open City for breakfast and the Afghan restaurant for lunch. In Dupont Circle I suggest Bistro Du Coin. In Adams Morgan, Meskerem Ethiopian, Perry's (especially the drag queen brunch! -- it's a hoot!), Tryst, and Amsterdam Falafel.

Thanks Circusliz for your confirmation of the Omni and the recommendation for Bistro du Coin. We loved visiting France and French food and will definitely dine here. One question, after reading reviews online it sounds like it maybe noisy. We don't mind that but are meeting friends for dinner one night and want a quiet atmosphere where it's easy to talk. Would we be better off at another restaurant for that dinner?

If you're looking for quiet, then the Bistro is not a good choice. It is indeed VERY lively -- a great atmosphere (especially around french holidays!), but not good for dinner conversation.

If you give me an idea of your price range and preferred cuisine, I can try to recommend some appropriate restaurants.

I would suggest Montmartre. Quiet, calm, excellent food/wine/service/ambiance. It's one block from the Eastern Market Metro stop on the Blue/Orange line.

You'll need to reserve a table.

Eastern Market itself is an area worth checking out - if you want to walk and chat after dinner, consider walking back to the Capitol South Metro to take the Metro back.


http://montmartredc.com/

Update to all of you who helped with suggestions. We are at the Omni and find it very pleasant. We have a large room with a view of the Washington Monument in the distance. The bath is on the small side but for an older hotel to be expected. The walk-in closet and laptop safe more than make up for the bath size. If the desk had a larger mirror it could double as a make-up table. Everything is in good working order and there are plenty of plugs for our needs. Good flat-screen TV, large towels, good bed.

After 2 days in Washington we realize we will not be able to see everything we had on our list. We have ranked the remaining and will try to sort it out.

Thanks everyone,
Scooter

Glad to hear it worked out. Enjoy DC. Definitely good to be flexible

Good to get an updated report on the Omni and happy that its working out for u. Enjoy DC--chilly as it is.