Planning to stay in Washington D.C. overnight and see some sights (in November).
Marriot at Metro Center offered $119 (including breakfast) for 2 adults 2 children.It appears to be within walking distance to many things. Anyone have any experience with it?
Thanks

Yes, my mother stays there often when she is in DC on business. It is very nice and I think $119 is a good rate, especially since it includes breakfast. It is a big hotel, very safe, and gets a lot of convention business. The location is terrific since it's right on top of the most central metro stop in town. I would grab it if I were you.

Mimi, As usual, it's ard to argue with Lisa! Especially about DC.

We've stayed there the past 3 trips to DC, the last one about 3 years ago and loved the hotel and the location.
$119 for all is a great deal.

Good restaurant and bar, which you may not need if you have 2 kids with you. Then again, maybe you do?

Walking distance to the White House and other attractions but the metro stop is almost in the basement so you're minutes away from The Mall, Arlington Natl Cemetary, Pentagon, Crystal City, Alexandria (may need a short taxi ride) and other metro stops.

Have fun. Great place. Can't wait to go back.
Kal

Thanks Lisa and Kal
I've booked our stay thanks to your positive responses. It sounds perfect for us as I wanted to be within walking distance to the metro and the sights.
That's what I love about this forum....opinions and advice from people who've already been there is so valuable! Thanks for taking the time to answer!
We'll have one at the bar for you!!!
mimi

Sounds like a good stay for touring area! I just posted this to another D.C.-bound traveller looking in the Dupont Circle area:

I stayed at Hotel Sofitel north of Dupont Circle -- highly recommend this European-style hotel and their steak for dinner. French influence (and patrons), good continental breakfast.

It is across from the Hilton nicknamed the "Hinkley Hilton" for obvious Reagan attempt. This Hilton is mostly a convention-style hotel -- prepare for lots of conventioneers and long walks to your room.

But be prepared if you wish to go to the museums and mall around the Dupont Circle area -- it's about a mile-half to 2 mile walk to the White House.

Best!

Hi mimi,

I live in the D.C. area and used to work for the corporate headquarters for Marriott, so I can tell you much about the place.

The hotel is a good one, no doubt. The location is good in terms of being within walking distance of the National Theater and the Warner Theater, if you want to see plays. The hotel is also right at the stop for the metro (subway) and from the "metro center" stop, you can change lines to go to the Smithsonian area and other parts of DC.

This being said, the "metro center" part of DC would not be my first choice for an area to really stay in. At night, unless you're going to a play, there's not much to walk around and see (ie, a lively area with restaurants, various stores open at night, etc).
As someone who lives in the area, my suggestion would be Bethesda, MD, which is just 20 minutes up the subway route, in the suburbs. The Bethesda Hyatt usually has great weekend rates, and there's a ton of stuff to walk around there. Otherwise, I would say the Dupont Circle area of DC, since there's a lot going on there at night as well.
Try to go to Sequoia's restaurant, if you get the chance, which is on the Washington Harbour, and overlooks the Kennedy Center.
Feel free to e-mail me if you have lots of questions, as I tend to check out the European forum more than this one.

The Metro Center area does have several restuarants in the vicinity - Red Sage, Capitol City Brewing, John Harvard's plus more that I just can't think of their names right now. Or you can easily take the metro to other areas. I think for sightseeing, the metro center hotel can't be beat. I would also suggest that you try to see the memorials at night - yes it's safe to walk around the Lincoln, Viet Nam memorials at night.