Best Western Capitol Skyline Hotel

Carol, I saw your earlier post on the Howard Johnson's on New York Avenue. Well, unfortunately, the Capitol Skyline is not much better. It is also in a bad neighborhood (although a little better than the New York Avenue corridor), you would not want to walk to the Mall, the monuments etc. from this location, especially at night. The hotel itself looks very run down. I think that you would be very disappointed if you stayed there.

What is your budget? I recommend that you consider staying outside DC, but along a metro line and coming in to sightsee that way. Check hotels out along the yellow and blue lines in Virginia I know that there are several hotels by Crystal City (and they usually have good rates on the weekend, since they cater to the business crowd, there's one of every chain in Crystal city, Marriott, sheraton, Courtyard, Hyatt, Hilton, etc.), the King Street metro, but since it's in Old Town Alexandria, they may be more expensive (Embassy Suites, Hilton). Springfield is at the end of the blue line, and may have some more reasonable hotels near it. I have seen several people on this site get a $99 rate at the Radisoon Barcelo on Dupont Circle. That is really an excellent location and rate for downtown DC.

If you have a car, there are many more options in Virginia and Maryland, that, while not in the middle of DC and within walking distance of the attractions, are within easy driving of downtown (Homewood Suites at 395 & King Street in Virginia), Residence Inn & Extended Stay Americas at Duke Street & 395 in Virginia.

Finally, if you're coming on a weekend, try the Club Quarters hotel. It's a private hotel in the business district of DC (but good location safety & convenience), and you have to be an employee/affiliate of a company that pays dues to Club Quarters to use their hotel during the week. However, they open their rooms up to non-affiliated people on the weekends. I know the affilate rate on weekends is only $56-$79/night, I don't know what the regular weekend rates are but imagine they're around $100/night. I have not stayed in the DC club quarters, but have in New York, and although the room was small, it was well-appointed (tv, cd, game system, etc.) and very comfortable. Good Luck.

Carol, I forgot to add that there is a Best Western in Old Town Alexandria that looks ok (I think it's called the Colonial Inn, or something like that). It doesn't look like it would be too expensive, but appears to be well-maintained, and is in a safe area of Old town. It is not within walking distance of a metro, but is right along the George Washington Parkway (Washington Street) on the north side of Old Town. You can drive from there to the Mall in DC in about 5-10 minutes.

Pete has given you good advice Carol. I have stayed at the Barcelo the last couple of times I've been in DC. It is very nice, good location.I prefer the Dupont Circle area. I have also gotten good deals at the Marriott Metro center in the past. A little better neighborhood than the one you are looking at.
The Marriott Key Bridge is another possibility. Just across the bridge from Georgetown and close to a metro.

I agree with Pete -- I find that when I go to DC for pleasure (i.e. the company isn't paying) that it's better to stay outside the city but close to a Metro stop. You can get much nicer accomodations in better areas for less money than if you try to stay in town, and taking the Metro to the sights is cheap and easy.

I stayed in the Best Western in Old Town Alexandria that Pete mentioned (if it's the same one I'm thinking of) but it was about 10 years ago so I don't feel I can legitimately recommend it now. It was certainly fine at the time. I really like staying in Alexandria when I go to DC.

Thank you all for your comments. My
sister is paying for the hotel and does
not want to spend allot. We checked
the prices outside of DC and this hotel
was more reasonable than most of them. A bit
over $84 per night which is what hotels
charge in the middle of nowhere sometimes. This forum is a wonderful
thing to sound out a town before you go
and not just stumble in ignorant of everything. Thank you all again Carol