k12lima

My DS 22 and I are going to D.C. for a few days over his college spring break in March. I have not been to DC in over 30 years and really don't know anything about the area. We are flying to the area and won't have a car.

MichelleY

We really liked staying in the DuPont Circle area. We stayed at the Westin Embassy Row. Very handy to the metro, restaurants and cafes. Nice area to stay in.

SiteC_er

Arlington, VA is also good location

1JAR

The Ritz Carlton at Pentagon Mall (Also known as Fashion Center Mall. Arlington Area))

If you fly into Washington Reagen Airport, you can take the Metro to Pentagon Mall (1 or 2 stops) and the Metro is on the front steps of the Pentagon Mall/RitxCarlton. Then just take the escalator up to the Ritz. (I've gotten some very good rates as a Ritz Carlton member.)

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Proper...ns/Default.htm

You can go pretty much anywhere via Metro...there are a couple of neighborhoods that are not safe so ask the Concierge.
http://www.wmata.com/pdfs/pocket_guides/english.pdf

There is also a nearby Pentagon city Residence Inn with a complimentary shuttle to Metro, several 2 bedroom suites or 1 bedroom suite with closed living room door couch/bed.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...pentagon-city/


Be sure to see Pentagon 911 Memorial. Best time to go is near sunset: in the daylight you can see the importance of the bench tribute arrangement. After dark each bench tribute is lighted with a small reflection pool and is a very moving memorial.

Dukey1

There are NUMEROUS hotels within walking distance of the Metro in the Crystal City area as well as near the Ballston, Court House, and Rosslyn stops in Virginia; ditto for various stops in the District itself.

How much do you want to PAY?

mikesmom

My son (26) and I went to Washington, D,C. In October. I hadn't been there in almost 50 years and it was his first visit. We stayed at The Mayflower. It is a beautiful, historic hotel in a perfect location. We had easy access to the Metro and we could walk to the White House. There were several affordable restaurants in the area. If I went back to D.C., I would again choose The Mayflower. We had a great time. So much to see and do. Have fun!

obxgirl

As mentioned, knowing your preferred budget will allow people to help you better.

The Cherry Blossom Festival begins around the third week of March so you will likely find hotel prices higher.

chepar

As people have said, there are numerous hotels with easy access to the Metro, but it would help to know how much you want to spend on your hotel.

This past June we stayed at the Grand Hyatt, which has an entrance to the metro right in its lobby. I was traveling with my parents, so I wanted access to the metro with as little walking as possible.

Having access to the metro right from the lobby plus its proximity to Penn Quarter made it an excellent choice for us.

sf7307

I'm a big proponent of staying "in town", although I realize price can be an issue in a city like DC. That said, if you can swing it, I'd agree with DuPont Circle, Penn Quarter or Downtown. DuPont is a beautiful upscale residential neighborhood, but with a commercial street down the middle, great for wandering, eating, hanging out. Penn Quarter is lively, with bars and restaurants, hotels, the Verizon Center. Downtown is a few blocks from Penn Quarter and is more of a business-oriented area, but its proximity to the sites is outstanding. Ex. Hilton Garden Inn on 14th, right across the street from the McPherson Square metro.

vjpblovesitaly

The P in Dupont is not capitalized

k12lima

Thanks, everyone. I am hoping to keep the cost per night under $200.

vjpblovesitaly

What are your exact dates?

Kal

You really can't beat the "Marriott Metro Center" for location to the Metro.

The $200 might be a little prob but I think they still have specials under $200.

Few blocks to The WH...kiddy corner to Cap City Brew Co....

bardo1

Here you can see EXACTLY where a hotel is in relation to Metro station entrances -

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

Click on the station you're interested in (Gallery Place, Archives, Dupont Circle, and Metro Center would be my personal top choices). The hotels show up on the station area maps as "red squares" - you can even click on the hotel to check availability/price and book a room.

obxgirl

Flying into which airport?

For guaranteed under $200 look outside of DC at the Americana Hotel in Crystal City. Bare bones but got a lot going for it in the price range and location and a stop away from Reagan National. Check in town at the Connecticut Ave Days Inn. Both close to a metro.

Otherwise, as noted, your dates may drive the cost b/c of the Cherry Blossoms and the general popularity of DC as a spring break destination for families.

The Hilton Garden Inn at McPherson Square is a good suggestion downtown, on top of a metro and walking distance to the White House.

Dupont is a great neighborhood as described. It's on the red line so you'll have change trains to get to the National Mall, main destination for many visitors.

Penn Quarter is also good, with a metro stop and walkable to the mall. Check the Courtyard Marriott there.

Foggy Bottom is another neighborhood, more residential, but with some good hotels and access to the blue line on the metro which goes directly to the Mall. Walking distance to the Kennedy Center and to Georgetown.

obxgirl

>>The P in Dupont is not capitalized

sf7307

You might want to try Hotwire (but be sure to put in "3 people" otherwise you'll get a room with only 1 bed).

MichelleY

My auto correct capitalized the 'p' in DuPont. See, it did it again.

HappyTrvlr

Lokk at the Embassy Sites on 22nd St NW, a short walk to the Metro.

k12lima

His spring break starts March 16. I was thinking we'd check in March 16 and check out March 19. We could go later in the week too.

I have booked the flights yet so I'm not sure which airport would be the cheapest.