anony

Hi, my wife and I will be visiting the city for the first time in mid October. We'll be doing all the usual sight-seeing, White house, Smithsonian, etc. We would like to stay in area that is safe, and since we love to eat out, an area that has great or plentiful restaurants. It would be nice if the hotel was near a metro stop also, since I've read that proximity to those is very key to a good vacation. Any help would really be appreciated. Thanks!

tracys2cents

If it's a weekend, I've been noticing some good rates at the Fairmont Washington.

coldwar27

I haven't been there in a few years but L'Enfant Plaza is really close to the Mall and has a metro stop.

carolv

It was a few years ago, but we were very happy with the Loews at L'Enfant Plaza because it was so close (less than 5 minute walk) to the mall. We walked everywhere from there - but it has the metro right underneath if you need it.

The only thing is there aren't a lot of restaurants in that area and the immediate area of the hotel is quiet at night. (We walked around anyway to see the monuments at night). To our surprise, we had a couple great dinners at the Loews and had lunches when we were out and about. Breakfast at the hotel is overpriced - but there are many places to grab breakfast underground (it sounds unappealing, but there were a lot of good and inexpensive choices!)I haven't read any reviews lately, but we'd go back in a heartbeat.

kgh8m

You haven't mentioned a budget, so if you can swing it, I've heard really good things about the Hotel Monaco. It's near the Verizon Center, Smithsonian Museums (right across from the recently opened Portrait Gallery), Spy Museum (next door), and a short walk off the Mall. As it's near Verizon Center, it's near that Metro Stop, too. Plus, the Downtown/Penn Quarter area has some really fantastic restaurants. It's also a very safe neighborhood - I work a block away from there.

bardo1

These hotels near the Dupont Metro station (hotels are "red squares") shown on this map are close to many of DC's best restaurants in all price ranges. Especially look at the ones between P st. and Q st.
http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../dupontci.html

For other convenient, restaurant heavy area, also look at hotels on these maps near Gallery Place Metro (H st. and below ONLY!):
http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../gallrypl.html

...and near Metro Center (again, H st. or south):
http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../metrocen.html

With all due respect to aome posters above, L'Enfant Plaza is not a great neighborhood despite the Metro station and an easy walk to the Mall. I don't kow how familar they are with all the DC neighborhods, but in my opinion it is THE dullest area in DC! You can do much better in the three neighborhoods whose maps are listed above.

anony

Thanks for all the replies everyone, especially bardo1 with the excellent links. I was thinking of both the DuPont Circle area and the Penn Quarter. From the maps you sent, do you have any recommendations for hotels? We are trying to be as budget-minded as possible since this is only one portion of our trip. Thanks

bardo1

On the "Dupont" map, both the Jury's Washington (see their "specials") and the Tabard Inn are not too expensive.

The Tabard Inn is especially low priced if you get one of the rooms with shared bath. Still, look at all the rooms there. They have a wonderful fixed pricing policy - the rates for each room are the same year round.

http://washingtondchotels.jurysdoyle...s_washingtondc

http://www.tabardinn.com/home.htm

This is not much budget in the Penn Quarter, but look at Courtyard Marriott Convention Center - gorgeous and perfectly located.

http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/WASCN

Just two blocks from Penn Quarter is the Red Roof Inn Chinatown (500 H st. NW). Good location, but pretty basic. Among the least expensive options in downtown DC.

http://www.redroof.com/reservations/...?innNumber=254

emd

There is also a very nice new Hampton Inn DC Convention center. See:

http://tinyurl.com/e76yj

LoriNY1

You might want to try the Grand Hyatt, which is right near Penn Quarter. We got it for $99 a night Labor Day weekend, thru the websight.

tracys2cents

The Watergate is $149 on weekends, last chance to stay at this "historic" luxury hotel before it's converted to condos.

anony

Wow, I'm so glad I put this post up. I've managed to place a hold on the Courtyard by Marriott Convention Ctr for $169/nt, but that rate only applies to the 20th-22nd. The other two days I'm staying jump up tremendously. As an alternative, I'm considering the Red Roof Inn for either to replace those two expensive nights, or simply stay there for the entire time. The rate is $149/nt. What are the opinions of the Red Roof Inn? Is the location any worse than the Marriott?
Thanks

bardo1

By all means stay at the Marriott Courtyard Convention Center while the rate is good and walk over to the Red Roof Inn Chinatown for the remaining two days.

That $169 rate is fantastic and you should pass up the opportunity to stay there at that price.

The Red Roof Inn is, well, a Red Roof Inn. The location and quality is not a nice as the Marriott but it's a solid, basic, budget hotel.

bardo1

I meant to say ...and you NOT should pass up the opportunity to stay there at that price...

bardo1

I am curious - how much does the rate jump up for those other two nights?

anony

Thanks bardo1, I have done just that, and have a hold on the Red Roof for the first 2 nights, and will stay the remainder at the Courtyard. The rates for the "expensive" nights probably arent all that bad, relatively, they were at $295 and $359, a different rate for each night. Now that thats taken care of, I can take care of whats really important, gastronomical pursuits! Do you have any recommendations for restaurants as well?
Thanks again!

bardo1

I do have some ideas, but why not start a new thread? Something along the lines of "Need restaurant recommendations for Penn Quarter area of DC" and maybe include cuisines and/or budgets if you have strong opinions along those lines.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

I've stayed at the Red Roof Inn. It was originally a Comfort Inn. It's not one of those cheap wooden structures you see at the exits on interstates. There are no amenities - just towels, washcloths, soap, and a small pack of facial tissues. But it's clean, well maintained, reasonably quiet. There's a fitness room, inexpensive local dining, an Irish pub in the same building, and "spitting distance" from the Chinatown/Gallery Place Metro station. And I always have shampoo, etc with me, or could buy some at the CVS drug store just west of the "Roof".

Maybe a local knows -- I think the Loew's L'Enfant Plaza has changed names/owners. Anyone know? (And I wouldn't stay there due to the dull area)

ANP2

http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../farragtn.html

Try www.opentable.com for restaurants. I like Five Guys(www.fiveguys.com), Clyde's of Georgetown(www.clydes.com), and Pizza Paradiso(www.eatyourpizza.com). Clyde's of Georgetown has the best crabcake sandwich meal deal($6) at the bar during happy hours 6-7pm. Maryland blue crab are the best and something special that should be experience. If you get tired of eating out, then go to Whole Foods in Dupont for a large and high quality food selection.