Hi Everyone,

I am thinking of surprising my hubby for our 20th anniversary in september with a trip to DC. He has never been there and I haven't been there in years. Most likely, we will fly out of Newark on a thursday evening and fly back on sunday.

Suggestions for a fabulous hotel-close to the air and space museum, capitol, national archives, and great restaurants? Cabs, Metro or walking all in the intinerary.

Many thanks
Karan

I understand the Marriott Metro is a great location.

On a recent DC trip we stayed at L'Enfant Plaza - it has a metro stop underneath it w/ some shops and was very convenient - close to Smithsonian, Holocaust Museum, and other sites as well and we had easy access to other areas for dinner, etc with the metro right underneath us. Our room was lovely, with a great view of the city - and a nice lunch restaurant in hotel and breakfast and pastry/coffee kiosk for a quicker breakfast -

Congratulations on your 20th anniversary!

You can never go wrong at the Ritz Carlton or the historic elegance of the Mayflower. Also, I always recommend the DC waterfront. I suppose I am partial to that area because I lived there for a few years and LOVED it! You may want to try the Mandarin Oriental (link below) - a fairly new luxury hotel near the water ... walking distance to monuments, Capitol, museums. Very close to the beautiful Tidal Basin and Jefferson & FDR Memorials! Go to the photo and map section on the website.

http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/535000001.asp

One of my favorite restaurants is Filomina's in Georgetown.

Cheers to your anniversary!

Cappucinno,

How would you rate the Hay Adams to the Mandarin Oriental? I know it doesn't have the water views.

Karan

Karan,

The Mandarin Oriental, while close to the water and with some nice river view views, is in an isolated location. There are NO restauarnts within walking distance other than those at the hotel itself ($$$$).

While guests at both hotels tend to get around by limosine, at least at the Hay Adams there is the option of some interesting places to walk in the immediate area - including restaurants.

The Mandarin Oriental is at the end of a dead end street with nothing surrounding
it except behemouth dreary government office bldgs (although, as mentioned the Jefferson Memorial, FDR, and Tidal Basin is close by). There is a Metro station about 5 blocks away.

The Mandarin is about 50 times larger than the almost boutique sized Hay Adams, if that matters.

The Hay Adams has a Metro station 1 block away and is well located right next to the White House house with some rooms overlooking Lafayette Park and the White House. There are many restauarnts of all types/price ranges within a few blocks.

Unless 1) a river view is paramount 2) AND you plan to taxi or limo everywhere, then I think the Hay Adams is a better choice.

The hotels themselves are both very luxuriuous and have top-notch services. The concierge and other services at the Hay Adams don't get any better.

Bardo,

Thank you.

Any other great boutique choices like the Hay Adams? Since it our 20th, I am really looking for special places.

Hay Adams islooking really goo right now.

Many thanks
Karan

You might try looking into the Willard Hotel. It is also incredibly close to the White House. I haven't yet stayed here because it is too expensive for my budget (I have twice gotten very good "deals" from the Mayflower instead), but I am told that's where the term "lobbyist" was first used to describe the political hustlers who discovered the president hung out in the hotel's lobby. The hotel supposedly has a great history.

Can't say anything about the rooms as I haven't yet had the privilege of being a guest there. Just a suggestion.

Thank you Jolie.

Did you enjoy the Mayflower?

Karan -

I liked the Mayflower well enough, and I think it was the nicest hotel I could get that was within my budget (under $200 a night). There seemed to be mostly business travelers when I was there. A metro stop is a block away, and it's convenient to shopping/eating/sight-seeing. It's a very nice hotel.

I just thought that if I had the money in the future, it might be nice to stay at the Hay-Adams or Willard. If you do stay at one of these, I hope you write a trip report so that I can experience it vicariously.

my husband proposed to me at A.V. Ristorante in Washington. A fantastic Italian restaurant in DC with amazing white pizza, & soft shell crabs. We visited again about 10 years ago, and it was still amazing, complete with surly waiters. If it's still there, and you love authentic Italian, don't miss it. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Jolie and Frankie,

Thanks you both and if we definitely go, I will certainly report back.

it's a long way away but I am planning to use FF miles and you can never book too early for those.

hi again

well, the hay admas only has very expensive rates.

anyone have opinions on madison hotel, hotal monaco and the george?

many thanks again.

Those three are all fine.

I think the Monaco is the best of the three, mostly for its vastly superior location: 1)to Metro, 2)tourist sights and 3)the plethora of great restaurants nearby.

The Madison is the furthest away from the sights or Metro and there isn't much nearby except office bldgs and the area is dead at night.

Hotel George is 2 blocks to Union station Metro and an easy walk to the Mall - I just don't like the blocks immediately surrounding the hotel. It might be a good choice if you don't mind taking taxis at night.

last question for now, i promise.

What about the Jefferson Hotel? it is a little more expensive then the Monaco.

I've only walk by the Jefferson. The rooms look great, but the Monaco is a much more central location. Again, the Jefferson's location at 16th & M is not convenient to restaurants or Metro and it is a much farther walk to the main tourist sights.

I would prefer staying at the Monaco (which is also very nice). If your budget is bigger than a standard room there, then consider one of the Monaco's many luxury suite options.

the monaco it is.

going to move the miles and book the hotel in the next day or so.

thanks for everyone's help.

K

more 20th anniversary help, please

well-got the tickets using the miles, by the skin of my teeth. Reserved a room at the Monaco so we are ready to go. Hopefully, I can keep the surprise. Hoping for an upgrade to a suite.

Anyway, can we get to the aquarium in Baltimore via mass transit from DC?

Yes! Take a commuter train (MARC) from Union Station in DC to the Camden station in Baltimore. Note: Monday-Friday only! It's a 5 minute walk from the Camdem station to the Inner Harbor.
Here's more info:

http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/...aps/camden.cfm

DC to Baltimore fares are $7 one-way.