Hi all,
We've never visited Washington before and were looking for a hotel close to the Mall and museums for sightseeing.

We've narrowed down our choices to the following - does anyone have any views on these?

1. Crowne Plaza Hamilton -14TH AND K STREET, NW
2. Holiday Inn Washington Capitol 550 C Street Sw
3. Best Western Capitol Sykline 129 10 I St Sw
4. Holiday Inn Washington on the Hill 143 415 New Jersey Ave., Nw

Thanks

Of the hotels you've listed, I think the Crowne Plaza offers the nicest accommodation and the best location.

All other things being about equal, I'd choose the Crowne too. It's not too far from a Metro station, and as I see it, if you're close to a Metro, you're close enough to everything. The city is spread a little further out so that no one place is "the best" for everything you'd wish to see. Enjoy your trip.

1. Crowne Plaza Hamilton - THIS IS A FINE CHOICE.

2. Holiday Inn Washington Capitol - JUST OK, CONVENIENT TO SMITHSONIAN, BUT IMMEDIATE AREA IS DULL AS DIRT (OFFICE BLDG GULCH).

3. Best Western Capitol Sykline -AVOID AT ALL COST!!! THIS IS IN THE MIDDLE ONE OF THE WORST GHETTOS IN DC. REPEAT: DON'T STAY HERE - EVEN FOR FREE! AREA MAY GRADUALLY IMPROVE AFTER NEW BASEBALL STADIUM IS BUILT IN 2007.

4. Holiday Inn on the Hill - ANOTHER FINE CHOICE - EQUAL TO CROWN PLAZA HAMILTON, IN MY OPINION.

I can kind of understand wanting to be close to the Mall, but you really want to stay on the NORTH side of the Mall.

Thanks for this advice - much appreciated - there's no way I could have worked this out just from looking at the map.