beachmama7

My husband, who is recovering from cancer, and I will be going to DC for 5 nights in mid-Sept. There are so many choices and so many opinions on hotels that my head is swimming! Basically, we want a "combination" trip which will include the typical sights plus a little relaxing. We have a minimal budget (max $125 per night for hotel) and my husband cannot walk long distances to the metro. We prefer "funky" areas that are not too stuffy or fancy. I think we'd be better in DC itself but would like to take it easy there too. Since we're going after Labor Day, is there any rush to book a place now? I'd like a little greenery/nature too, if possible. Do I ask too much?!! Thanks for any feedback, Marilyn

bardo1

Amazingly, most are hotels are already booked for mid September!!!!

FYI, the average room rate in DC is about $250/night. Here are some options in your budget - all well located, nice places.

The following three can be booked through the discount DC hotel booking site: http://www.capitolreservations.com/

Red Roof Inn - 5th & H st., NW Chinatown

Embassy Suites - 1250 22nd St., NW

Embassy Inn (VIP) - 16th & R st., NW

Also look at the Tabard Inn - 1739 N st., NW (near Dupont Circle). Very nice. Look at each room on their website - every room is different and individually priced.

http://www.tabardinn.com/

beachmama7

Thank you for your suggestions. I'm having trouble getting onto the booking site you recommended, but I did like the looks of that Inn. Unfortunately, with a bathroom, it's quite expensive. Do you know anything about the Holiday Inn, Washington Central/ White House? I found a rate available for those 5 nights at $112.99. Sounds good, and it appears to be centrally located. Opinion? Thanks again, Marilyn

jess_honeymoon

You might think about looking in Arlington, specifically along the orange line of the metro. It should be a little cheaper, you can still have easy metro access, and there's some good restaurants and shopping in that area. There's a Hilton Garden Inn in the Courthouse area, which should be pretty reasonably priced and is a few blocks from the metro. Also check out the Hilton Arlington Towers, which is right on top of the metro. Probably in the $140 range, though. The Key Bridge Marriott in Rosslyn has a nice pool, if you'd like to relax, and you might find a good deal. Slightly longer walk to the metro, but I think they have a shuttle bus.

You should definitely book sooner, just to be on the safe side. Also, keep in mind that rates are usually higher during the week, since most of the travel here is business related.

NYTomW

Please check out Biddingfortravel.com -It is a resource site that provides stratagy and historic data of sucessful bids using priceline.com. This site provides a great deal of very useful travel information for all parts of the US. It is a little confusing at first to understand but well worth the effort it takes to figure out. We were recently sucessful, using this site as reference, to obtain a 4* hotel in the Dupont Circle area of DC, during Cherry Bloosoms for $110.00 per nite.

Anonymous

I agree -- research hotels on Fodors and biddingfortravel.com, then bid on Priceline and if your hotel isn't neat a Metro station, you can use your savings to take taxis. Even if your hotel is near a Metro stop, there's a good chance that your destination isn't.

IMHO, considering that you will be trying to conserve energy, taxis woud be a good investment. I speak from experience, having not only vacationed in DC with a sprained ankle, but also nursed a husband through debilitating cancer treatments.

Anonymous

People will recommend the Dupont Circle area, but you should also check out the Omni Shoreham, since they have nice grounds, an outdoor pool that will probably still be open, and easy access to the Metro and funky restaurants many of which have outdoor cafes. The Omni offers a variety of special budget packages so you might call them directly, explain your situation, and quiz them for recommendations.

beachmama7

Wow-eeee! Based on what you people just told me, I submitted a bid to Priceline for $110 per day for 5 days, and it was ACCEPTED. Guess where??? The Omni Shoreham!!!! I am ecstatic. What a beautiful hotel, and it appears to take care of all of our concerns. I had to read the "Congratulations" e-mail a couple of times just to make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me. Thank you all so, so, so much for the help. It went so quickly and so painlessly that I'm still in shock!
Marilyn

jess_honeymoon

That's great. You will love the Omni Shoreham!

Anonymous

The Omni took very good care of us, including producing an unending supply of giant umbrellas when the skies opened just as half the folks in the hotel were heading out for diner!

There's a CVS drugstore just down the block from the Metro entrance, and across the street is a small grocery (the name New York or Manhattan is in my head). You're a short cab ride from charming Georgetown, too. Have a great trip!

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Enjoy your stay. I'm glad to hear your great luck on PL. That's a much more relaxing neighborhood than Dupont.

beachmama7

Thank you all again for your help. It went so smoothly that I'm thinking maybe I should've bid a little less on Priceline! Still, $110 per night for a 4 Star Hotel is a GREAT deal! Marilyn

Anonymous

Relax and enjoy your win. Lots of others have won the Omni for $110 on PL, too. Now you have a strategy insight for next time!