Does anybody know of any decent accomodation under $100, close to the major tourist attractions?

Tony, Washington DC isn't a cheap city, but I've seen some choices under $100 (depending on dates). One is the State Plaza Hotel near the Vietnam vets memorial and you will get a very nice room for that -- actually it's all-suites. You can check out your dates on www.quikbook.com.

I've also booked the Radisson Barcelo for $99 from time to time through the Radisson website, but that's a rate that sells out quickly and is not always available.

The latter would be my first choice because of it's location.

Tony:

Although it is in Old Town Alexandria, VA, a very close suburb of D.C. there is I believe an Econolodge right on South Washington in that town. There is also a Best Western across from the Econolodge. Right across from the Best Western is a Giant grocery store to cut down on food costs.

For bargains, you might consider bidding on Priceline. You don't get to choose hte specific hotel, but you can shoose hte general area, and there are great buys. Learn all about it at www.biddingfortravel.com, they have a great FAQ and a list of hotels that people have won.

For our trip this summer we found the lowest rates (other than trying Priceline) at washingtondchotels.com. A quick check a few minutes ago on this site, plugging in at random 10/1/02 for 5 nights, had a few hotels for a little over $100, but nothing close in for that rate.

Good luck - remember that taxes and parking, if you have a car, will add considerably to your cost.

That Radisson Barcelo was mentioned many times on this site this summer at $99 - but fall rates are often higher.

Another thumbs up here for Barcelo/Radisson. I see that the Red Roof Inn often has good prices - I've never stayed there, but did walk over to check out the location - not bad, near Gallery/Chinatown Metro.

Alexandria & Arlington have good deals. While not in DC, if you're close to the Metro, it's not bad. I've stayed at Quality Inn Iwo Jima near Rosslyn Metro stop several times now, always well under $100. I see rooms at Holiday Inn adjacent to Eisenhower Metro stop with rooms for <$60 quite frequently.

Overall, I'd consider what there is near your hotel at night, when most of the attractions are closed, than being near them during the daytime. The Metro is a good deal, clean, and safe.

I got a good deal on Hotwire. like Priceline, you cna't choose the hotel, but I got the Arlington Hilton in October Thurs thru Sun for $77 a night. A metro stop is right in the hotel making the sites within easy reach.

The Econolodge in Old Town Alex is REALLY scary. The hotel across the street that Stephanie is talking about is a Holiday Inn. That one is fine. Just stay far away from the Econolodge.

I've heard other people say that the Hotel Harrington is a good bargain. Wouldn't recommend it myself, but it seems to have a lot of supporters. It's right downtown, so the location's great.

I got one of the Hilton's downtown for $75 a night through priceline.

I think Priceline or Quikbook are good ideas, as well as the web site Gail mentions. I've seen good rates on www.dcaccommodations.com, also -- in fact, they list the Phoenix Park (near Union Station and the Mall, not bad) at only $99 a night. It would be a good choice for you. That's a weekday October rate, also, which should be highest. Sometimes you can get lower rates on weekends. YOu don't say when you want the hotel, but rates drop in Jan-Feb often. I think it would be a lot more convenient and fun to stay in the city than in the burbs.

Another place I would reccomend is Days Inn-Connecticut Ave. It is in the Van Ness Neighborhood on the Red Line. It is one stop from the zoo and an easy 15-20 minute subway ride to everything you would want.

The Kalorama Guest House(s) has good rates, including breakfast, and is comfortable. It's very near the zoo and the metro. I just saw an deal where they give you $20 off 2 nights or more if you reserve over the internet.

I booked Loews L'Enfant Plaza @ $119.per night for an early Oct. weekend through Expedia. It's only a block or so from Air& Space Museum and a Metro stop is located in the plaza.

Ann:

The Best Western must have been sold to Holiday Inn as in the late 1989, when I lived in the area, it was a BW.

We stayed at Jury's Washington for less than $100/night this summer. Expedia's got it listed at $109 for mid-October. It is right on DuPont Circle - a lively area day or night. There are good, not so expensive restaurants nearby and the Metro station is right there. The rooms were more than adequate and the service was wonderful. One word of caution if you're going cheap -- there are no soda machines in the hotel. We were traveling with 6 thirsty teens so that was a pain. Other than that I would highly recommend staying there.

Stephanie, do I understand correctly that you are recommending hotels that you haven't seen for 13 years? Times do change, you know. I've lived in Old Town Alexandria since 1994, and the Holiday Inn has been the Holiday Inn since I moved here. I also have to agree with Ann that the Econo Lodge is horrible. It's very rundown, and seems to always have working ladies hanging around.