BayouGal

My daughter has been told at the last minute that she needs to attend a conference at the Univ. of Maryland next week. She has invited me to meet her there. Since she will be at the Conference Ctr, we would like to stay convenient to the Metro line AND as near to the Conf Ctr as possible. Unfortunately, the College Park Marriott is booked, so what's the next best place to stay??? Greenbelt Marriott booked too.

I will see some sights in DC while she's working, and then we'll spend Sat together seeing the sights. Any recommendations? I haven't been there in 20 years, so I'm very excited!

As always, I know I can count on all of you to help us plan this at the last minute. You can be sure I'll be reading threads about visiting the area up until I leave next Wed.

Thanks!!

GeorgeW

I grew up seven miles east of the campus, one of the least attractive university campuses in America. Even the free urban newspaper(The Washington Weekly?) wrote a very denigrating lead story about College Park in their newspaper only a few weeks ago. The county in which the campus at College Park sits, Prince George's County, has one of the highest crime rates for a suburban county in the United States.

That said, why don't you treat yourself. Stay at Dupont Circle or Downtown and enjoy the neighborhoods and the restaurants. Both Dupont and Downtown are very near metro subway stops.

Unless you are desperate, I would not recommend staying at any of the hotels near the PG county subway stops of New Carrollton or Capitol Heights.

Anonymous

If you can't find anything right in College Park, then my second choice woudl be a hotel that's very convenient to some other stop on the Metro's Green line. Riding a couple extra stops is faster than walking a few blocks! A handy resource for checking out hotels' REAL distances to Metro stops is stationmasters.com, which has a hotels list that links to maps of areas in DC; unfortunately, they don'textend out to College park.

The University's pages for applicants or parents would probably give info on local hotels. There are several small motels in the area that might not even have an internet presence.

Anonymous

George and I basically agree: stay in DC, which is less convenient for daughter but more convenient for Mom, and has better accomodations. Check out the hotels (the red squares) in this area:

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

Despite what George said about crime, the area immediately around the Metro and campus is not particularly dangerous.

BayouGal

Thank you both for that valuable insight!

GeorgeW, I am checking into hotels in those areas now. My daughter is in complete agreement with you. She'll gladly be inconvenienced (although she says the Metro is very efficient and will not be an inconvenience) for me to stay in a better location.

I am "trying" to stay under $200 a night. Any hotel recommendations?

Thanks, Anonymous, that web page is really coming in handy. I think I'll print that map before going, too.

BayouGal

Thanks, Anonymous. Your post was not there while I was typing my second post.

Which area (based on your map) is considered Downtown and which is Dupont Circle?

BayouGal

Found Dupont Circle on Metro map. Am I being totally unrealistic to think we'll find something nice for around $200 a night?

Anonymous

The specific stationmasters link I gave is for a limited area of a few blocks downtown in the Gallery Place area -- handy to both the Green line and to things for Mom to do.

Dupont Circle is farther out, west of downtown, on the Red line and IMHO would be better as an evening out for dinner, or for Saturday, rather than a place to stay for all 4 (?) nights.

I made many trips to DC while my daughter was looking at colleges and attending school in DC. I always just used Priceline and chose either the Convention Center area or Woodley Park.

GeorgeW

The Hotel Lombardy at 20th and K has rooms renting for $ 169 a night on up. Just looked them up on the interent and they have their own web page.

BayouGal

We need 4 nights, 18th through 22nd. Thanks!

BayouGal

How's the Renaissance, 999 Ninth St, for location - museums, restaurants, etc, and the Metro? One night is way over my price range, but with the weekend deal it is very affordable. Thanks!

Anonymous

The Renaissance should be just fine; it's a nice Marriott.

Did you take a look at Priceline for your dates? They now allow you to book specific hotels, as well as the original bid-and-take-what-you-get strategy. They often have especially good values for last-minute bookings like yours.

Devonmcj

The Hilton Garden Inn at Franklin Square is a nice hotel with rates of $219 for your dates. It's right across the street from the McPherson Sq metro station.

pollyvw

Let's get together, BayouGal...I'm about 1/2 hour away from U of MD.

BayouGal

Thanks, everyone. I'm learning DC as fast as I can. As most of you know, I'm one of those Fodorites that likes having months to research and plan. This trip is pushing the envelope for me! ;-) I'm pricing hotels, doing a quick study of the Metro, and still not sure where to stay. I'm thankful for all the hotel recs - I'm checking each one of them out.

repete

Hi BG,
The Hilton Garden Inn is a place we use to put up staffers when those nasty 4-inch blizzards paralyze the city. I stayed there a few years ago.

The location is good and great dining (Ceiba, DC Coast and Butterfield 9) are all within a couple of blocks. Old Ebbit's Grill, a Washington classic, is also close.

Another suggestion is the Marriott Courtyard, Convention Center, but that doesn't appear available. Excellent location.

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

BayouGal

Thanks, Repete! I have been reading past DC threads, and saw many posts by you. And after all the invaluable advice you gave me for our 05 Alaska trip, I was certainly glad to see you chime in here!

rb_travelerxATyahoo

The Red Roof Inn is inexpensive and while not luxurious, is clean, safe and convenient to Gallery Place /Chinatown, where you'll have easy access to Red, Green and Yellow lines. I've stayed at Comfort Inn at 13th & M which will be somewhat close to McPherson Sq & MetroCenter .. not as good as Hilton Garden Inn, but probably in your price range. Good luck.

Little_Man

wow, I went to school at the U of MD. and had no idea it was so dangerous and ugly. I met my husband there, so I was very happy there. Can't help with hotels at all, it's been 20 years.
But if it's still there, I highly recommend the Italian Restaurant, AV Ristorante! It is in DC near
Capitol Hill. My DH and I still dream about the food! Is it still there, anyone?

bardo1

BayouGal,

I strongly agree that Stationmasters is your best research tool. In particular, try Courtyard Marriott Convention Center on this map. It's a great hotel, location, and should be in your range. Red Roof Inn is OK too. Just stay south of H St.

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


Dupont is also a great neighborhood and only involves one transfer on the Metro. Look at Tabard Inn or Jury's Washington for your price range.

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


Finally, there is ONE College Park option, should you choose, that is an easy walk (about 5-6 blocks) to the College Park Metro: Quality Inn & Suites College PArk. It's about 5 blocks from Metro. I doesn't show here, but is just off the left side of this map...

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