chilegalbeagle

Hello everyone,

I am in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Washington DC with my friend. Were in our 20s and looking to stay on a budget. We are not opposed to riding the metro to downtown/the mall where the monuments are since I've noticed its only about 15 minutes by metro from Alexandria. We are looking for somewhere to stay within walking distance of a metro stop and looking to stay under $120. I have found several but am unsure of good neighborhoods and find that some reviews aren't helpful. We are looking to fly out on Sunday, October 2 and fly home Friday afternoon. Thanks for any tips.

nytraveler

If you and your friend are able to share a double bed you might consider bidding on Priceline - and being able to stay in center city. Walk to a lot of sights and have much greater access to restaurants and nightlife.

longhorn55

Good neighborhoods in D.C. would include Dupont Circle and Penn Quarter. Good neighborhoods in Arlington would be Crystal City, Rosslyn and Ballston. Good neighborhood in Alexandria would be Old Town, but you'd want to make sure your hotel is near the King Street Metro since some of the Old Town hotels are not.
If you are looking to book a budget hotel now, one place you could try is the Americana Hotel in Crystal City. It's not fancy, but it gets great reviews on Trip Advisor and it's near two Metro stations and lots of restaurants and shops. For the dates you mention, you can get one double bed, two double beds, a queen bed or a king bed and each cost less than $100 per night.

chilegalbeagle

Thanks longhorn...I did some searching and also found another fodorite that mentioned the Americana being a good hotel.

txgirlinbda

If you can swing the cost, we just stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Arlington/Shirlington - free parking, free shuttle to and from the metro stop, awesome location. I think we pre-paid $175/night for huge king rooms. (I left a review on trip advisor).

bardo1

"I have found several but am unsure of good neighborhoods and find that some reviews aren't helpful."

Tell us which ones you found and we can tell you exactly what the neighborhood is like.

Adams Inn is a popular budget option in the residential section of Adams Morgan and a 10-15 minute walk to the Woodley Park Metro station. $139/night for 2 people sharing a double bed (shared bath). http://www.adamsinn.com/

Here's one that is $130 for two people (regardless of dates). Superbly located downtown and only a few blocks to the Dupont Metro station.
http://www.tabardinn.com/rooms/tour/shared_bath

These two are very well located in a nice neighborhood (5 or 4 blocks to Dupont Metro) and close to many restaurants, clubs, cafes, etc. Rates are for two people (sharing a double bed) for your particular dates.

http://www.districthotel.com/ $129/night
http://www.windsor-inn-dc.com/ $119/night

And this one in Logan Circle (13th & R St. NW) 5 blocks to U St. Metro. It is also close to the cafes, restaurants, etc. on 14th St. $119/night for your dates. http://www.wlewishous.com/

bardo1

FWIW, I think the Americana Hotel is the LAST place I would suggest for two twenty somethings coming to experience DC for a week. Crystal City?? Really?

(Though Americana is not a bad option for someone on a shoestring budget traveling with kids who has zero interest in anything beyond tourist sites)

Please take a look at my list above before getting stuck in Crystal City for a week.

NewbE

FWIW, I completely second bardo1's advice. I have walked past all the hotels he mentions, and the neighborhoods are, IMO, ideal for visiting 20-somethings. Crystal City is pretty convenient an safe, but the BIG drawback is the neighborhood is dead as a doornail after 5-6pm, as it's all high-rise office buildings. I would choose the Tabard Inn, it's very nice.

longhorn55

Hmm...when I suggested the Americana Hotel, I was just trying to suggest a budget accommodation in a good neighborhood, as the OP requested. I wasn't making any assumptions about what he/she and the friend were planning to do because the OP didn't say. IF they are looking for a lively nightlife, then they can do that in D.C. and still save a bunch of money by staying at the Americana. And, there's restaurants and bars along 23rd Street at the edge of Crystal City that they might enjoy in the evenings.

Mo

If you have to stay outside Dc I suggest staying in Old Town Alex. There are sites to see there as well. If the hotel isn't within walking distance to the metro (I don't how far you would be willing to walk) many have free shuttles and there is a free trolley (bus) from the waterfront to the metro with many stops along king street.

chilegalbeagle

I suppose I should take another moment to clarify. We definitely want to stay under $100 a night which is what drew me to the Americana. However, we are "20 somethings" and probably would like a few bars in the neighborhood of the hotel which sounds as if there are none by the Americana. When I have a moment (this is what I get for "fodoring" at work) Ill check your suggestions bardo1 however, I do need to watch my budget as we just increased our stay from 5 nights to 6.

chilegalbeagle

I may be willing to stretch to 115 if you Fodorites can strongly back up the hotel I end up choosing. I'm looking to decide in the next week or so and will keep you all updated I appreciate all the help. I used to Fodor about 5 years ago when I went to Paris which is why I came back for my next vacation planning.

gardendiva

chilegalbeagle, I have been looking for weeks for a hotel or B&B in DC for around $125.00 and have had no luck. The Americana is out for me simple because I am traveling alone and it may be dark when I return to the hotel and if there is nothing except office building in the area, that could be unsafe. Remember that it does start to get dark earlier in October. Just something to consider.

chilegalbeagle

Just wanted to let everyone know I settled on a place to stay. We are staying at the Hotel Harrington. The location is great. 4 blocks east of the Eclipse, 1 block west of Fords Theater and 2 blocks north of the National Museum of National History. For our dates we will pay 149/night for 2 twin beds. We also considered the Americana but decided we would rather stay more by the monuments. Our other consideration was the Comfort Inn Downtown/DC Convention but it ended up being 200/night with 2 dbl beds. The District Hotel and the Windsor were also considered but we felt they weren't, shall we say "age appropriate" from looking at pictures etc. Thanks for all the suggestions. You will see posts from me soon regarding expeditions!

MikeT

The Hotel Harrington is a little grim. If it's not too late, read the Tripadvisor reviews which reflect my perceptions of the place.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Columbia.html

bardo1

Yes but at their buget, it's about the only downtown option. Certainly basic but not that bad.

illnative

The Hotel Harrington is grim - but functional. As along as you go with the right expectations - the location is good....

japw82

Hi Chilegalbeagle,
If you can cancel your reservation without a fee, I'd watch Travelzoo. They sometimes have great promotions in DC. Sign up for their weekly update. Some of the bargains you can find are amazing.