Amtrak and Washington DC hotels. Please help
Jan 22nd, 2008, 01:15 PM
#41
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My daughter went to college in DC and took AirTran from Boston to BWI all the time. The B30 express bus goes from the BWI terminal to the Greenbelt station on the Metro. It runs every 40 minutes 7 days a week, takes 30 minutes, and costs $3.00 (bring dollar bills). Time consuming but economical. The buses are the airport type, with special areas for luggage.
Jan 22nd, 2008, 02:47 PM
#43
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When my daughter started college, getting from our house to Logan Airport in Boston took a half-mile walk, a trolley, three subways and a shuttle bus even before the flight etc that you describe. Then Boston opened up a new transit route and now it's just one subway and one bus. Argh, no wonder she has decided to just move to DC!
Jan 22nd, 2008, 05:09 PM
#45
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Cassandra,
Wasn't defensive, just trying to find out what folks might consider iffy these days.
The town is changing so fast that places might have scared tourists off a couple of years ago are fine now.
But the Hyatt near Union Station isn't iffy -- just boring. It's mostly office buildings and things close down at 5.
Priceline offers Convention Center/Capitol Hill as an area ... large area, but most folks seem to get the Hyatt, L'Enfant Plaza or the HI on the Hill. Given that, I'd say DT, Foggy Bottom/GT and the Dupont areas would be better (less boring) bidding areas.
Wasn't defensive, just trying to find out what folks might consider iffy these days.
The town is changing so fast that places might have scared tourists off a couple of years ago are fine now.
But the Hyatt near Union Station isn't iffy -- just boring. It's mostly office buildings and things close down at 5.
Priceline offers Convention Center/Capitol Hill as an area ... large area, but most folks seem to get the Hyatt, L'Enfant Plaza or the HI on the Hill. Given that, I'd say DT, Foggy Bottom/GT and the Dupont areas would be better (less boring) bidding areas.
Jan 28th, 2008, 10:55 AM
#47
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Hi again....
You must be carfeul in DC, like any other big city (although Dc is tiny.)
Did you consider the Lombardy as I suggested? It's on the best side of town and easily accesable (read walkable) to ALL major attractions in DC "Federal "area ( White House 3 blocks.....etc.)
I've lived outside DC for 25 years and will be happy to discuss locations with you. I know the city very well and want you to have fun.
You can train from BWI train station to Union Station ( Capitol Hill) and get anywhere from there very easily via cab or metro. Or, you can train to New Carrollton Station ( MD) from BWI, then metro from there. I suggest early hours here and avoid 8-10 am rush hour, 4-7 pm as well.
You must be carfeul in DC, like any other big city (although Dc is tiny.)
Did you consider the Lombardy as I suggested? It's on the best side of town and easily accesable (read walkable) to ALL major attractions in DC "Federal "area ( White House 3 blocks.....etc.)
I've lived outside DC for 25 years and will be happy to discuss locations with you. I know the city very well and want you to have fun.
You can train from BWI train station to Union Station ( Capitol Hill) and get anywhere from there very easily via cab or metro. Or, you can train to New Carrollton Station ( MD) from BWI, then metro from there. I suggest early hours here and avoid 8-10 am rush hour, 4-7 pm as well.
Jan 28th, 2008, 11:01 AM
#48
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NOTE:
The Shorham is NOT DOWNTOWN ( metro avail)its at least 3 metro stops. There are tons of restaurants but unless you are intereseted in the Zoo, not a good location for touring.
Capital Hilton IS right on the corner of 16 & K St...in the middle of the universe, so to speak.
I would try to Avoid Days Inn and Best Western
PS there's plenty right arounf union station including the best Irish Pub for 100 miles...The Phoenix Park Hotel is super luxe and right across from the train station...lots of brew pub/fine dining/museum access from that location. What are your interests while in DC?
The Shorham is NOT DOWNTOWN ( metro avail)its at least 3 metro stops. There are tons of restaurants but unless you are intereseted in the Zoo, not a good location for touring.
Capital Hilton IS right on the corner of 16 & K St...in the middle of the universe, so to speak.
I would try to Avoid Days Inn and Best Western
PS there's plenty right arounf union station including the best Irish Pub for 100 miles...The Phoenix Park Hotel is super luxe and right across from the train station...lots of brew pub/fine dining/museum access from that location. What are your interests while in DC?
Jan 28th, 2008, 03:14 PM
#49
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There aren't that many cheap chain hotels in DC, that's why no one mentions them, and the ones that are decent are not that cheap, anyway. So people don't think of them as cheap. Most of them are not really in central DC, but areas where you should never stay.
There is a Days Inn on upper Ct Ave near Van Ness that is okay. I stayed there once, and it was all right then (many years ago). That's kind of far out, though, most folks would like to be a bit closer in for sightseeing, but it's a possibility, but I don't know if it's really that cheap (cheaper, of course). I would not stay there again myself as it was full of teen student tour groups who were very noisy, that's what you get with those kind of hotels, you know. I think that's the only one now in DC proper. One on NY Ave was closed down, but that is a horrible area, anyway.
There's a Marriott Courtyard in a decent location above Dupont Circle, but I don't know how cheap it is. It's been many chains over the years. I think there's a Red Roof near Chinatown that would be as cheap as you get. Of course, the Holiday Inns, etc., are not that cheap and I know you know that.
There is only one BW -- something on NH Avenue called Georgetown Suites. It's around $200 weekdays. I think it used to belong to GWU. That would be okay, probably. The only other one is really south of town in a bad and inconvenient area (this one is called Skyline).
My sister stayed on business in the Sheraton Four Points hotel at K and 12th, and she said it was fine. That would be an okay choice, but I don't think it's $200 or less on weekdays. I think that's the budget SHeraton brand.
There is a Days Inn on upper Ct Ave near Van Ness that is okay. I stayed there once, and it was all right then (many years ago). That's kind of far out, though, most folks would like to be a bit closer in for sightseeing, but it's a possibility, but I don't know if it's really that cheap (cheaper, of course). I would not stay there again myself as it was full of teen student tour groups who were very noisy, that's what you get with those kind of hotels, you know. I think that's the only one now in DC proper. One on NY Ave was closed down, but that is a horrible area, anyway.
There's a Marriott Courtyard in a decent location above Dupont Circle, but I don't know how cheap it is. It's been many chains over the years. I think there's a Red Roof near Chinatown that would be as cheap as you get. Of course, the Holiday Inns, etc., are not that cheap and I know you know that.
There is only one BW -- something on NH Avenue called Georgetown Suites. It's around $200 weekdays. I think it used to belong to GWU. That would be okay, probably. The only other one is really south of town in a bad and inconvenient area (this one is called Skyline).
My sister stayed on business in the Sheraton Four Points hotel at K and 12th, and she said it was fine. That would be an okay choice, but I don't think it's $200 or less on weekdays. I think that's the budget SHeraton brand.
Jan 29th, 2008, 06:54 AM
#50
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Well, the Marriott Courtyard in Dupont Circle is over $300 most of the time and a much nicer one is the Penn Quarter location that's usually about the same amount -- much nicer, better location and Penn Quarter dining options are equal or better than Dupont.
But both are more than than suze is looking for. Shoot, even the Navy Yard Courtyard is around $300.
Compared to other options, the Days Inn on Conn. isn't that far out -- Metro is less than 2 blocks away and the ride to Metro Center is 10 minutes. When you add up the total door-to-downtown time, it's fairly decent.
The neighborhood is nice, but not hopping. There are several decent restaurants and a grocery nearby plus you're very close (an nice evening walk) to wonderful dining in Cleveland Park.
For that price -- about $160 according to hotels.com -- you'd likely end up much farther out or at a place with a shuttle to Metro.
As for school groups, that's always a risk with any reasonably priced place -- unless you find a B&B.
But both are more than than suze is looking for. Shoot, even the Navy Yard Courtyard is around $300.
Compared to other options, the Days Inn on Conn. isn't that far out -- Metro is less than 2 blocks away and the ride to Metro Center is 10 minutes. When you add up the total door-to-downtown time, it's fairly decent.
The neighborhood is nice, but not hopping. There are several decent restaurants and a grocery nearby plus you're very close (an nice evening walk) to wonderful dining in Cleveland Park.
For that price -- about $160 according to hotels.com -- you'd likely end up much farther out or at a place with a shuttle to Metro.
As for school groups, that's always a risk with any reasonably priced place -- unless you find a B&B.
Feb 22nd, 2008, 09:27 AM
#51
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Deeddeezee, we will be arriving at Union station and the Phoenix Hotel would have been great if it wasn't soooo expensive. Also checked out Lombardy as you suggested and it's over $200 per night.
Feb 22nd, 2008, 12:25 PM
#54
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OK, I'm going to be brave and bid when the time comes, these are the areas that come up on Price line. Alexandria is a little too far but should I put all the other places in. Also, how far ahead should I bid and should I put down 3 star.
Alexandria - Old Town Area – area map Best deal
Arlington – area map Best deal
Convention Ctr - Capitol Hill area – area map Best deal
Crystal City – area map Best deal
DC Suburbs - Northeast Area – area map Best deal
Dupont Circle - Woodley Park – area map Best deal
Georgetown - Foggy Bottom – area map Best deal
Springfield – area map Best deal
White House - Downtown – area map
Alexandria - Old Town Area – area map Best deal
Arlington – area map Best deal
Convention Ctr - Capitol Hill area – area map Best deal
Crystal City – area map Best deal
DC Suburbs - Northeast Area – area map Best deal
Dupont Circle - Woodley Park – area map Best deal
Georgetown - Foggy Bottom – area map Best deal
Springfield – area map Best deal
White House - Downtown – area map
Feb 22nd, 2008, 12:25 PM
#55
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If I were to bid on Priceline I would choose one of the three below (the numbers are from the Priceline map)
6. Dupont Circle - Woodley Park –
7 Georgetown - Foggy Bottom –
9 White House - Downtown
Georgetown doesn't have a Metrorail stop, but the others do.
6. Dupont Circle - Woodley Park –
7 Georgetown - Foggy Bottom –
9 White House - Downtown
Georgetown doesn't have a Metrorail stop, but the others do.
Feb 22nd, 2008, 12:42 PM
#56
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There is good advice in this thread, perhaps you should re-read some of the earlier posts.
Any 4-star in Dupont, Convention Center, White House, or Georgetown would be fine. Crystal City would also be OK. But do some more research -- definitely study up on Priceline before bidding. You do not sound confident enough to do it yet.
Remember, if you make a cancellable reservation when you see somethng that's OK but maybe a bit more expensive than you really want, you can keep looking and cancel it if you later find something better/cheaper. And you can keep trying Priceline until the last minute (but only after you are sure you understand Priceline's rules).Good luck.
Any 4-star in Dupont, Convention Center, White House, or Georgetown would be fine. Crystal City would also be OK. But do some more research -- definitely study up on Priceline before bidding. You do not sound confident enough to do it yet.
Remember, if you make a cancellable reservation when you see somethng that's OK but maybe a bit more expensive than you really want, you can keep looking and cancel it if you later find something better/cheaper. And you can keep trying Priceline until the last minute (but only after you are sure you understand Priceline's rules).Good luck.
Feb 22nd, 2008, 02:53 PM
#57
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Our plans for DC was to arrive October 7, 2008 and leave on Sunday October 12. I was just told by a friend that Columbus Day is October 13 and that things will be crazy and hotels full. So, I'm thinking we should go the week before Columbus Day.
Just wondered is that would be wise and if my friend is correct about Columbus Day being a crazy weekend.
Just wondered is that would be wise and if my friend is correct about Columbus Day being a crazy weekend.
Feb 22nd, 2008, 04:23 PM
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Georgetown doesnt have the metro but it does have the bus (circulator) which was very very easy to use. We won a hotel on Georgetown campus via priceline for 135 per night. We LOVED staying not only on the campus but also in Georgetown. The location was different but we loved walking from the campus to catch the circulator every morning.
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