Hi,
I have read all of the responses but still have questions about a Thursday thru Sunday stay in November. Keeping these facts in mind do you have a suggestion for a hotel? Extra cost for Thursday nite stay. (almost double in some cases). We intend to be site-seeing most of the time during the day. Want to be close to walking entertainment in the evenings. Need to park a car. Want to be about one block from Metro. Is this too much to expect?

We had a good stay at the Radisson Barcelo back in January. It's a couple short blocks from Dupont Circle, has valet parking ($16 a day I think) and there's a metro stop at Dupont Circle.

You can read about it by searching for the word "tackled" to pull up my trip report.

We were in DC in March (Saturday-Sunday nights) and booked through Hotel Reservation Network(www.hoteldiscounts.com or 800 394 1454). We got a huge 1-bedroom with kitchenette in the St. James, an apartment/hotel a block from Foggy Bottom metro and 10-minute walk from G'town, for $126 (tax included) a night -- not sure what their regular rate is, but their phone # is 800 852-8512. If you book through hoteldiscounts be sure to inquire about their deposit and cancellation policies, because they charge your credit card at time of booking. Not sure about the parking situation at the hotel.

Sandy,
I agree that the St. James is hard to beat. We had a suite that was spacious and pleasant, with full kitchen. It's a short block from the metro and walking distance to good restaurants (though I don't know about "entertainment"). There is a well-lit, convenient parking garage under the hotel. Have fun.

When we go to D.C. with our kids to sightsee we always stay at the Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria. It is AT the King Street metro Station (no walk at all), very nice rooms and Old Town Alexandria has some wonderful attractions and nightlife of its own. Be sure to see Torpedo Art Factory. The room rate at Embassy Suites includes the full buffet breakfast for everyone(eggs, bacon, fruit, the works) and a free evening cocktail time where you get munchies and whatever you want to drink for free(not just beer and wine) (our kids get shirley temples!) Love this place. Have fun!

I lived in D.C. for 14 years (really miss it) and have also stayed at the St. James. I have seen rates there as low as $99.00 a night. Are you driving to the area? Why not consider staying out in Arlington, near the Ballston metro? The rates are a lot cheaper, it's a 15 minute subway ride to D.C., and you won't have the parking hassles or costs. It depends on what you want to see while you are there. Feel free to email, and I'll give you some tips on cafes, etc.

We were in D.C. 3 weeks ago, and booked a hotel through priceline for $25/night in Fairfax, VA. Had an extensive continental breakfast and we only drove a few miles to the metro station. Hotel parking was free, and it was just a 15 minute ride into DC. Room had a microwave, frig., coffeemaker. The metro was clean and safe -- we rode it home from the fireworks in a crowd of 1,000's and had no problems.