Katherine4

Hello,

We're looking for a hotel in the Arlington/DC area. We have important business in Arlington on S Glebe Street, right near Arlington Boulevard, but we'd also like to see the sights in DC. We are hoping to find a hotel that will allow us to get around to both places via public transportation. I don't know the area at all, so this may not be possible.

At the very least we'd like to find a hotel either in DC that will enable us to get to the Arlington address quickly and easily (by cab or car rental, if necessary). OR we'd like to find a hotel in Arlington that will allow us to get to DC via public transportation, without having to rely on a car/cab.

Sorry if this sounds confusing. There are circumstances surrounding the visit that would be too complicated to explain, but these are our needs.

I'd really appreciate your feedback.

Thank you very much

MikeT

There are a Hilton, a Westin, and a Holiday Inn near the Ballston Metro in Arlington which will be close to your business appointment, but right on the Metro.

jmsvss

Last July 4th we stayed at the Westin in Arlington. It was very nice - I highly recommend it for their nice facility and ease of public transportation. We parked our car and did not use it for our 3 day stay. The Metro stop was about a block or so away. We went to the Wolf Trap,the Mall, and a few other places with no problems. The only down I can think of was there did not seem to be much going on in the evening around there.

Katherine4

Thank you very much, Mike and jmsvss!

Jmsvss, can you describe the immediate area where the Westin is located? Is it safe? Is it clean and well-kept? Is it pretty? Are there restaurants close by? How far is the mall and is it a nice mall?

Thank you, again!!

wyatt92

I think jmsvss meant the National Mall, not a shopping mall.

Dukey

The Westin in Arlington which is located near the Ballston Metro stop (couple of blocks) is also close to the Ballston Common shopping mall.

the problem you are going to have is getting to the area of Glebe Road near US 50 "on public transportation" and in this case that would mean by bus.

However, the Westin is also located on Glebe Road and not all that far from the area Glebe/50...it would be a long walk but doable.

There are several nice restaurants near the Westin of various types, and the Ballston Common mall has a 12-screen theatre, a Macy's, etc.

I'm not sure what you consider "pretty" but the area is clean with many mid-rise newer buildings. It is not in any way a dump or "seedy" (not a term I like to use but you understand I am sure).

Dukey

other questions..fire away.

Katherine4

Thanks very much!!

I think the idea of getting to S Glebe via public transportation or on foot ain't gonna happen. But It's not a big deal. We just need to be somewhat near that location with easy, quick access to DC at the same time.

So the restaurants and mall near the Westin are indeed in easy walking distance?

By pretty, I just mean somewhat pleasant to look at. Maybe a few trees, nice architectural design of buildings and sidewalks - that sort of thing. I like to get some picture of the immediate area of a place before making a decision.

Thanks so much!! I really appreciate your taking the time, Dukey!

MikeT

Ballston is an "urban" suburban area with lots of high-rise apartments, condos, and office buildings. It is considered a desireable neighborhood for the under 35 crowd. Very very safe. Not architechturally significant or interesting, but not unattractive or seedy.

Here's a link from the County's website

http://www.commuterpage.com/ART/villages/ballston2.htm

Dukey

Mike has pretty much summarized it for you. There are lots of townhomes and detached houses in the general area as well.

The variety of restaurants are within very easy walking distance.

As you might expect, it is not a cheap area to live in but the restaurants are not overpriced. Two Metro stops away is another area with more restaurant (Clarendon) choices and a smaller "mall" as well.

Katherine4

How far from there to DC on the metro?

Thanks so much for all the info! I really appreciate it!!

longhorn55

I just did a quick check of the Washington Metrobus schedules and it looks like you can easily take the 23A or the 23C bus from the Ballston Metro stop to Arlington Blvd/S. Glebe Road. This is not a long distance and takes about 5 minutes by bus. You could also easily take a taxi and it would not cost very much.
If you'd like to see the route and timetable, check www.wmata.com/timetables/va/23AC/pdf

longhorn55

Katherine, you can check www.wmata.com for subway schedules too. It takes just 15 minutes to go from Ballston Metro to Metro Center in Washington, D.C.

Katherine4

Bless your heart, Longhorn! Thank you so much for that!! I started without a clue and now everything's fallen into place thanks to you and the other fine people here. I'm grateful!!