I'm slightly familiar with the city, and I'd like to stay in the Georgetown area. I found a fairly cheap price for the Holiday Inn Georgetown for the last week in September. How close is this to the Georgetown shops? And where is the closest metro stop? (Or other easy mode of transportation to get to the Mall and Dupont Circle.) Thanks.

It is actually rather out of the way. I think it's polite to call it "Georgetown" because it is actually "Glover Park." It's a walk up and down hills to the stores in G-town and not near a Metro. There is, however, consistent bus service on Wisconsin Ave. which will take you to G-town or the closest Metro (Tenleytown).

It's a little bit of a hike -- down hill to shops, up hill to home. Dupont Circle is, I believe, the closest stop. Remember that taxis in DC are relatively cheap.

This site usually pretty good info on use of WMATA buses & subways in the DC area, even some of the walking directions:

http://rideguide.wmata.com

Well, that's good to know that the Holiday Inn Georgetown isn't REALLY in Georgetown! I guess we should stick with Dupont Circle then-- better Metro and shuttle access, and lots of stuff around there. Any close/reasonably priced hotels that anyone can recommend? Thanks.

You might want to consider the Holiday Inn in Rosslyn. Prices are good and they offer free parking. There is a Metro stop close by and it is just a ten minute walk accross the Key Bridge into Georgetown.