Have found a great rate, but wonder if it is too good to be true?? Best Western New Hamshire Suites in downtown DC 6 blocks from Capitol for $66 a night, Excecutive Suite. Anyone know about this hotel?

I've stayed there, though hope I wasn't in the "executive suite". The place was acceptable, but I wouldn't go back. Our two-room "suite" was one open area, with a narrowed part that they apparently considered a hallway; no doorway. The kitchenette wasn't as functional or well-equipped as your average Embassy Suites, and the include breakfast was acceptable but nothing fancy.

On more recent trips, I've spent less money, for better hotels, by bidding on Priceline.

Thank you for that. We also are considering staying at the Raddison Barcelo which is near the zoo. I have never used priceline before. Is it easy to navigate (and negotiate)?? Any useful tips would be appreciated. I just might try it.

There's a very steep learning curve for Priceline -- parts of it are tricky and not intuitive, but once you've used it, it's easy to become a devotee.

I strongly recommend that you go to www.biddingfortravel.com, which is an independent web site where people report which hotels they've won, and for what prices. Be sure to read all the general stuff that BFT offers about bidding strategies.

In most cities, including DC, PL divides the city into zones and it also rates them with a star system of its very own. Whenever I plan to bid on a new city, I print out BFT's hotel list, then go to the reviews and reported prices; that way, I can choose zones and star ratings where I'd be OK with any of the probable hotels.

Last time I went to DC, I stayed at the Marriott Metro Center for $60 per night. I had planned to travel with my daughter, so after winning the room, I called the hotel directly and asked for a room with 2 beds, as we'd prefer not to share. They said OK. Then my son decided to join us, and when we arrived at the hotel (at midnight) they went out of their way to find us a room that not only had 2 beds but also room for a rollaway.

FYI, the Radisson Barcelo is not exactly near the zoo. It's a pretty good hike (about a mile or more) uphill. The closest hotels to the zoo are the Omni Shoreham and the Marriott Wardman Park. However, you can access it from the Barcelo on the red line Metro a few stops north by Cleveland Park and walking downhill.

Can't comment on NH Suites other that location: The location is OK, but not as good as the Radisson Barcelo. If price difference isn't TOO great, it's worth it. You won't regret the Barcelo. Agree that you'll need to take Metro to the zoo (1 or 2 stops). And, as noted above, the Zoo is midway between the Cleveland Park stop and the Zoo stop - the hill runs upward from the Zoo stop to the Cleveland Park stop. Get off at the Cleveland Park stop when you go and get back on at the Zoo stop when you return. Here are area maps for both the Best West. NH (Foggy Bottom) and the Radisson Barcelo (Dupont) as well as a system map. If you end up going to the Zoo from Best West., then walk up NH Ave. to the Dupont stop to avoid changing trains at Metro Center.

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

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

http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

The Best Western New Hampshire (1121 NH Ave NW) is in Foggy Bottom, about 2.5 miles from the Capitol. Not a bad location, because it is handy to Metro and a pleasant walk to Georgetown or Dupont Circle, just not near the Capitol.

Thank you all for the good tips. This trip is so foreign to me and I am trying to be so organized to be sure we make good use of our time. Especially thanks for the tips on Priceline. That scares me, so I will do more research as you advised before I proceed. Much appreciation to all. This trip is in July, so anything else offered I will be more than happy to consider.

We stayed in same general area (Washington Suites Georgetown) last summer. It was nice to be able to walk to Georgetown in the evening for dinner (we had 2 teenagers with us). Walk to Foggy Bottom stop was fine - but it got longer on really hot days - we were fortunate to have only one August day over 85 degrees. Our son also thought it was cool to be able to do his AM run along the Potomac.

We got $99/night rate last summer - never found anything as low as your rate. Be careful that an "executive sute" is not a small meeting room with a sofa bed only and no kitchen - my husband has run into that in other cities.

Been looking at Priceline like Anonymous suggested. Was wondering whether the Dupont Circle area or Alexandria would be better. Traveling to the Mall area for tourtist stuff. Want to find a nice location and maybe 15 minute Metro ride in to city. Any comments on which might be better located??

Dupont is the better area. You can walk ormetro to many of the DC sights and the neighborhood is unmatched for restaurants. Good luck w/ priceline.

Thanks bardo! That is what I was thinking, but wanted to be sure. Old Towne sounds like a nice place to visit anyway, but think I will take your recommendation and stay in Dupont. What things are within walking distance??

Here are "Best bets" for eating in the immediate area. Cut & paste entire link below to get more detail on each place - they are all GREAT! My choices for "must go" would be Johnny's and Bistro du Coin.

THE LIST:
Johnny's Half Shell - 2002 P St., NW 202-296-2021

Pizzeria Paradiso - 2029 P St., NW

Obelisk - 2029 P Street, NW 202-872-1180

Pesce Trattoria - 2016 P Street NW 202-466-3474

Gabriel - 2121 P Street, NW 202-956-6690

Teaism - 2009 R street NW

Bistro du Coin - 1738 Connecticut Ave., NW 202-234-6969

Cafe Odeon 1714 Conn. Ave., NW 202- 328-6228

Tabard Inn - 1739 N St., NW 202-785-1277


Iron Gate Inn - 1734 N St., NW 202-737-1370

Firefly - 1310 New Hampshire Ave., NW 202-296-7600

Komi 1509 17th St NW 202-332-9200

Vidalia - 1990 M Street, NW 202-659-1990 (just south of Dupont, actually downtown)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...nt&option=4000

Most tourist attractions are at the Nat'l Mall and nearby areas. In addition to dining, shopping and people watching, the Dupont area has many art galleries, most notably the Phillips Collection. But really for art you're better of at the Mall. At 17th&M is the National Geographic Museum (free). Some people like to walk north on Mass Ave. from Dupont circle to see all the Embassies, many of which are quite nice. Walking the neighborhood north&east of he circle is also pleasant.

http://www.phillipscollection.org/

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/explorer/

If you need to eat while sightseeing at the Mall, consider Jaleo at 7th&E st., NW - 2 blocks north of the Mall. If you don't want to leave the Mall area to eat, then the only good choice is any of the National Gallery of Art's 4 restaurants.

http://www.jaleo.com/

http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/cafes.htm

Thanks Bardo! Those are really great suggestions. I will certainly feel more knowledgeable about my trip. You have been a wonderful source of info!