Our family will be visiting DC for 5 days near the end of this month. We will spend first 2 nights in Alexandria near Old Town.
For the next 3 nights I have dual reservations (haven't made a final decision). First reservation is in Mclean near Tyson's Corner at suite hotel with shuttle to West Falls Metro. Will use reward points, so a free stay, basically this is main consideration for this location (free stay with nice amenities and free shuttle)and I understand travel time to DC
mall is about 25-30 minutes. Second reservation is suite hotel next to metro in Alexandria, with about same estimated travel time to DC mall, 25-20 minutes. Will be flying out of National on a Monday morning. My concerns are: what will metro travel be like Monday morning going to National from East Falls? I know we will have to change in Rossyln for the blue line.
Also, do the travel times mentioned above seem accurate? Any input would be appreciated!

what will metro travel be like Monday morning going to National from East Falls?

What time in the morning are you planning to travel?

so are you going to be in Tyson's corner over the weekend? because we stayed in that area a couple years ago, ata hotel with a shuttle to the Metro. one thing we found is that rush hour traffic around Tyson's Corner is HORRENDOUS. so that little 5 minute shuttle ride could take like 20 minutes.

if you're going to be there on the weekend, its probably not an issue. but for that Monday morning, make sure to budget some extra time for the shuttle.

I think the metro travel time of 25-30 minutes to the Mall is correct.

I live in Tysons Corner and love it...however, is your other hotel option close enough to walk to the metro? If so, I would definitely do that. China_Cat is right - Tysons traffic can be a pain...especially if you are trying to enjoy your vacation!

If you are talking about Embassy Suites in Alexandria, it is across the street from the Metro, and you walk five or six blocks into Alexandria. No contest; forget Tysons. And it would be much more convenient to National.

I wouldn't stay in Tyson's Corner unless you like shopping and traffic. There's NOTHING interesting or charming there. Your option to stay near metro in Alexandria would be better. Better yet, continue your stay in Old Town - or still better - stay in the city. You're visiting the capital city right? Realize $ may be an issue but often there are in town or close to town lodging options that aren't too expensive. .. and you won't burn up time in transit/traffic .. . need to factor that in in expense.

It really depends on the time you'll be travelling on Monday morning, but I used to go to work in Tysons late in the morning, and even then, all the lights can snag you.

From Tysons to National, you'd be at the mercy of traffic to get to WFC Metro (at LEAST 15 minutes, at a bare minimum). Then, the Metro ride would be about a half hour from WFC to Reagan (that's the minimum, making the first train at the Rosslyn switch).

The Tysons wouldn't be too awful, but you would have to leave your hotel at least an hour earlier than you'd have to leave the Alexandria hotel, and I'd personally recommend leaving Tysons 2.5-3 hours prior to your flight. If your Monday flight is early, it might not be worth the hassle.

Tiller,

You get lost or something?????

This is a no-brainer, imo. Stay in Alexandria. Save the points for a trip where using them won't make your trip less convenient and enjoyable.

Absolutely Alex. Unless you're seriously pressed financially, use the points later for someplace with convenience and charm. Tyson's great for shoppers but a pain for just about everything else.

Thanks to all the locals for your advice regarding my questions about traffic in Mclean and what it would really be like getting to the West Falls Metro and to National. The hotel in Mclean is 4 miles from metro, sounds convenient, but reading here and elsewhere I get it about the gridlock. We weren't planning on renting a car, just using the metro via the hotel shuttle. Sounds like that 4 mile distance might as well be 20 miles if traffic isn't moving. Very much leaning towards Alexandria, spent a nice week there 15 years ago when the Old Town Hotel on King was Holiday Inn. Nice location, but I understand in the middle of renovations to become Kimpton. There are lots of good choices for regular hotel rooms reasonably priced near metro but get fewer when looking for suites for family that are nice and reasonable. Looks like Embassy Suites.
Thanks again,

Check out the Residence Inn on Duke Street in OT Alex. It's only about 1 block farther from the metro than Embassy Suites, and it's just a block off of King Street.

I use the West Falls Church Metro stop all the time. You are visiting DC and want to stay all the way out in Tyson's to use points?

Let me put it this way, if you travel enough to get free hotel room rewards, I expect you have enough money to be at a more convenient location. Stay in one of the Embassy Suites in either Dupont Circle or Chevy Chase, MD. Dupont Circle is near a Metro stop and Chevy Chase is right on top of one.

West Falls will be a big hassle, as others have said, and you will be sorry that you stayed all the way out at Tyson's to use up your free room deal.

Have you thought about staying in the Crystal City area? The metro is very quick to DC and there are two Marriotts with easy access underground to the metro (if that's who your points are with!)