CasaDelCipresso

my head is spinning with hotel choices (!) I'd love some opinions!

I'm tagging along (w/ my 8yr old) to a conference with my husband at the Wardman Park Marriott - it's full...so....now onto other options. (we'll be doing the usual tourist sights/museums while we're in town)

My first choice is a Starwood property because we're Gold members and get the extra points...so...St.Regis is too expensive...that leaves the Fairfax Embassy Row, the Westin, and the Westin Grand (or others I'm maybe missing??). I'm thinking the Fairfax looks the nicest (but no pool - nice, but not a deal-breaker at all)...and then maybe the Westin Grand (?) any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

kayd

Considering location only, I'd recommend the Fairfax (21st and Mass) because it is two blocks from the Dupont Circle Metro station. That's convenient for anything you and your child might want to do, and your husband would be one Red Line stop away from his meetings. Plus Dupont is just a very nice area to stay in.

kayd

The Shoreham is only a block or two from the Wardman Park if you want to consider non-Starwood properties.

MomDDTravel

Okay... I stayed at a Westin on the point/cash option when I took my daughter to Dc - it was the one closer to Georgetown area if I remember correctly. Nice hotel, friendly staff - very helpful and kind. It was a little out of the way from where I wanted to be with her - but a good choice over all. I just do not know if it was the Westin Grand or the Westin... hummm... safe area, I did not find a TON of reasonable places to eat in the area but that does not mean they were not there...

EricH

That's the Westin Grand. There's also a pretty new Four Points that is right downtown. I'm local, so I can't comment on the hotels' insides.

MomDDTravel

Thanks Eric. It was a "fine" hotel. Free computer usage down by the lobby - with printing. I got my tickets to the Washington Monument while there and reserved and printed on site. Rooms were fine. I actually recall the bathroom being very nice (I like nice bathrooms LOL)

emd3

I know all the Starwood properties in D.C. well, except the Fairfax. I am platinum and live in Northern VA, so we use points 2 to 3 times a yr to stay at Starwood properties downtown for a night or two.

I can't comment on the Fairfax, but of the others I would choose the Westin Grand. It is one block and then across Washington Circle from the Foggy Bottom metro station. It is a nice hotel and has a small rectangular pool (which is heated when it is chilly outside), which is really nice to have after a day of tromping around. You can walk or short cab to Dupont for dining or the Philips Collection, on of my favorite small museums in D.C. (I think the Farifax is really close to the Phillips also). And you can walk into Georgetown for shopping and dining there, Dumbarton Oaks (which looks fabulous this time of year), walking along the C&P canal, etc. The Westin Grand is on a corner and there are large hotels (Hyatt and I think the Fairmont) on the two other corners, so there are always lots of people out on the street around there.

I would not choose the Four Points. It is in a strange area of downtown and is a little isolated at night. Although it is close to Chinatown and the new Penn Quarter area, I don't like walking around the Four Points at night. This is just my opinion and experience.

Make sure you are signed up for the current Night After Nights Starwood promotion before you stay, and the other good summer promos that Starwood preferred guest has going on now.

Check travelzoo.com as they have good specials on the D.C. Westin properties frequently. They have a good deal now on the Westin Grand ($149). I see that the Fairfax is getting better reviews on tripadvisor than it used to.

CasaDelCipresso

wow - you guys are the best! Thank you! Looks like the Westin Grand or Fairfax would both work well...I feel better now !

(btw - last year, we stayed at the Westin Courthouse in Alexandria - was fine...clean, typical Westin w/ a room on the club floor so free breakfast, snacks/sodas for my kid ;-), etc., but, this trip, we prefer to be in the city rather than out there) Prices are more in the $350-$400 range though for my dates which is why I wanted to check opinions before booking!

Thanks again - much appreciated!

williamscb13

Is the Westin Grand the one that used to be a Ritz-Carlton years ago? if so it's a fantastic location, very easy to get to the subway from there. Also there's a bookstore a block or two away that has a great cafe/restaurant inside of it. the crab and corn omelette. delish. Wish I could tell you the name of it, but I don't know it.

I've also stayed at the Four Points and will agree with the poster who said it was in an awkward location, I found it actually in the middle of nowhere and pretty far from the metro. Not near as close as the Westin.

bardo1

I agree the Fairfax is by far the superior choice in terms of location.

MikeT

I assume your husband is staying with you, and then attending the conference? If that's the case, I'd go with the Fairfax because it's closer to a Metro that will get him to the Wardman Park. I like the Westin Grand, but it is a little less convenient for getting to the Wardman Park (a longer walk to a convenient Metro station to the Wardman).