We will be traveling to D.C. in February. I have found the following hotels/rates: Quality Hotels and Suites Downtown, 16th street/$89 per night; Holiday Inn Capitol @ Smithsonian, 550 C Street/$115 per night; Capitol Hilton, 16th and K Streets/$139 per night; Radison Barcelo, 2121 P Street; $99 per night; and Jurys-Doyle Hotel on Dupont Circle, 1500 New Hampshire Avenue/$120 per night.

Our main focus will be the Mall, White House, Capitol, etc... Which of these hotels would you recommend for convenience and safety. I am sure we will take the Metro and will be out at night.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

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They're all in pretty safe areas and should be convenient to what you want to see and the metro, except that I don't know how far up 16th the Quality is--might be the longest walk from the metro. The Holiday Inn on C St would be my last choice because dinner options in that area are pretty limited, although it is convenient to the mall. The Radisson and Jury's are in the Dupont Circle area which will have the most diverse dining choices (food and price) of the hotels you're looking at. The Capitol Hilton is at 16th & K and dining choices within a couple blocks tend to be more high-end restaurants.

The Quality Hotel and Suites is about 2 1/2 blocks up from the Capitol Hilton. It is a pretty good hotel; my husband and I hosted a soccer team from Holland once and that's where they stayed. Of all the hotels, it is the farthest from the metro - about 5 blocks or so - but not a bad walk at all. I agree with Ruth about the Holiday Inn. Another drawback about that hotel is that the area is completely dead at night and on weekends. Of all your choices, I would suggest the Radison. It is a a good hotel in a great location.

The best thing I can tell you about hotels in DC is that they are a whole lot cheaper in town on weekends, than during the weekdays on the fringes of town.
If you want to use the metro to get around pick one in DC as your odds of being near the metro stations are pretty good.

I really like the Radisson Barcelo. If you can get it for $99, jump on it! It's an old apartment building so the rooms are very large. The hotel is two blocks from Metro (Dupont) and Connecticut/Massachusetts avenues. (I've been staying at this hotel for 10 years, since it was an Omni.)

While I have not at the Radison, I have been by it and have heard/read a lot of positive comments about it. A rate of $99/night sounds great. Also, it is very close to some wonderful dining in Dupont Circle and you are very close to the metro, which will take you any where you want to go. I don't think you go could go wrong with it.

Thanks for all the great advice!

Just came back from a business meeting there. Check out the Mayflower Renaissance (check to see what type of AAA rate) or discount rate you might possible get. One of our seminar people booked a Triple A rate on short notice with them a got a wonderful room for about $139 per night, which is an excellent price for that hotel. It has beautiful lobby, very nice rooms, etc. Great location for subway access. P.S. if you walk the Mall to look at memorials, make sure you visit the Korean War memorial. Very nice, and walk to the FDR memorial. Magnificent stone work there. Have a great trip.