Kris

My sisters and I need to be at Arlington National Cemetery for a service this spring. I can't get a straight answer to the following questions from the Veteran's Admin, and I hoped Fodorites might help! Which airport is closest to the cemetery? Can anyone recommend a hotel close to the cemetery? The Doubletree was suggested, but on their website it looks like quite a distance from the cemetery. Any other suggestions you might have would be MUCH appreciated!

Kevin

The answer to your first question is National Airport (DCA). It is by far the closest airport from the cemetery.

The answer to your second question is that there are many options for hotels. I would recommend staying at a hotel in the "Crystal City" area of Arlington, VA. Crystal City is across the GW Parkway from National Airport. Many major hotel chains have hotels here (Holiday Inn, Marriott, Hyatt, Sheraton, Days Inn) and most have free shuttle service to National Airport.

Also if you stay in Crystal City, you may access Metro (Washington DC subway system) at the Crystal City stop to get to the cemetery. Arlington Cemetery is only three stops away on the Blue Line (no change of trains).

Another option for hotels if you want to be within walking distance of the cemetery would be Quality Inn Iwo Jima.

Hope this helps.

Rosemary

I'd like to echo Kevin's advice. It's spot on.

Dawn

Another option is to stay in Rosslyn, which is one metro stop from the cemetery and also has close access to Georgetown. In Rosslyn there is the Key Bridge Marriott, which has great views of the city and it is right on the Potomac. The Marriott is about three blocks from the metro.

I also agree on the point regarding National Airport.

Kris

Boy, I really love Fodorites - always helpful!! Thanks for the advice, one more question, is the Metro safe to ride? What about after dark? We're not used to city life and are a little paranoid!

tj

Kris,
As a former DC resident, I would like to wiegh in with another suggestion.

Our family likes to stay in the Old Town section of Alexandria when visiting the DC area. There is a metro stop there and the neighborhood is much more charming than Roslyn.

The metro may not be as convenient, but you may find a more interesting and accomodating range of restaurants and walking tours.

If you stay in Roslyn, be prepared for a concrete village with no character, but the best place to stay would be the Marriott at the Key Bridge, with the rotating restaurant on top. Crystal City would be even more blase.

As for riding after dark, depends on your risk profile. Better to take a cab if its after 7pm. If for no other reason than its harder to orient yourself in the dark.

Rosemary

I think provided you stay in the Western sector of the city (draw a vertical line through the Capitol Building and stay west of it) you will have no trouble at all on the Metro. I have never felt at all threatened or unsafe daytime or evening. It's all newish and well lit. If you are staying in any of the suggested places or wish to visit the National Mall etc. you will be well inside the "safe" sectors.

Leone

The suggestions about Rosslyn are right, great. As a fallback, you can consider Foggy Bottom/G. W. hospital ... has some hotels, a good metro station on blue line, and a short ride to the Arl. Cemetery station. And you can walk to Kennedy Center, Georgetown, M Street NW, and downtown DC. Of course, Reagan National is the airport you want - you can use Metro blue line to Rosslyn (about ten minutes tops). Metro is safe to ride, of course.
You can probably get by on one guide - the DC Access guide. And when you get to the cemetery, go to the visitors center and get a map of the cemetery. You can use their buses, take a tour, etc. in addition to the service you're attending. That place is very much worth seeing. Take a look at Zagats on the net for some restaurants, plus access Washingtonian Magazine's site for their 100 cheap eats places - good restauramnts at lower prices. Welcome to DC, and ciao. L

Ann

If you're top priority for a hotel is proximity to the cemetery, Rosslyn is the best place (I think there's a Quality Inn within walking distance, but I'm not completely sure of the name). Avoid Crystal City. Both Rossyln and CC are concrete jungles, but Rosslyn is more convenient for you, and you can walk across the bridge to Georgetown. If that isn't a big deal, either stay in Old Town Alexandria, Georgetown or Foggy Bottom.

The Metro is very safe, even at night. I've ridden it at all hours (it's only open until 2 a.m. on the weekends) that it's running, and haven't had a problem in 15 years.

And yes, National is the best airport for you.

Spider

Just a note, the Arlington Cemetery Metro stop used to close earlier than the others (i think 7pm), because there's nothing there except the cemetery which closes relatively early. I don't know if this is still the case, but you may want to check.

r-travels

Directly across street from Rosslyn Metro station is a Holiday Inn (running specials recently of $75). I've stayed at Quality Inn Iwo Jima, nice, but a couple of blocks away. I agree about Rosslyn being "concrete jungle", and a stay at Alexandria might be much nicer. Buy the $5 unlimited travel Metro passes (not valid before 9:30am weekdays) and stay ANYWHERE close to a Metro Station. Some hotels near Pentagon City Metro stop too, with shopping and entertainment nearby. Have also stayed at Barcelo Radisson near Dupont Circle. Nice area.

Many hotels in Arlington area have shuttle service to both National (Reagan) Airport AND Metro stops.
I'm willing to answer more "offline", but remove any x from my e-ddress to contact me.