I will be going to DC this summer, 2 adults and 2 kids. I need opinions on L'Enfant Plaza, Capitol Hill suites and Washington Suites. I want the hotel to be clean and convenient to metro and sights. If you have any other hotel recommendations I would appreciate them. Thanks shelley

I posted a reply on your other message. We stayed there in Oct.; it is very convenient to Metro, but not much else. No restaurants in area. (only in hotel). The area is strictly a business district so after hours and on weekends, it is deserted. The hotel is outdated but clean. I would not pay much to stay here. I am not familiar with the other hotels.

Oops, forgot to say that the hotel where we stayed was L'Enfant!

While very convenient to the National Mall, I don't think the L'Enfant Plaza hotel is a good location at all. It is surrounded by huge governemt office biiuldings, the area is dead at night and on weekends, and as mentioned there are no dining options in the immediate area.

Washington Suites in Georgetown is better for dining and shopping but there is no Metro nearby although there is good bus service to the tourist sights.

The best location of the three is the Capitol Hill Suites. It's in a quiet residential area, two blocks to the Capitol South Metro stop, an easy walk to the Mall, and right next to the Capitol/Library of Congress/Supreme Court. There are also many dining options right around the corner on Pennsyvania Avenue. Here's an area map:

http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../capitols.html


If you tell me your hotel budget and when you'll be in town, then I can also give some other hotel recommendations.

shep:

I'd highly recommend any hotel/motel with a pool. I looked on the Days Inn website because I'm flirting with a one night stay in August in the D.C. area and noticed a Days Inn in Silver Spring MD with a pool 5 blocks from the subway. This is the best choice anything with a pool it will be very hot in D.C. I think if the hotels that you mentioned don't have a pool the Holiday Inn in Rosslyn does.

Our family enjoyed the Embassy Suites hotel (22nd and M) last summer. It does have a small indoor pool and free breakfast. The rooms were spacious and clean but it is about a 5 block walk to the metro. We didn't mind the walk and would return.

Hi Shepley,

I stayed at Capitol Hill Suites with my mom in March. While it is not the most luxurious place, in fact it is somewhat run down, it is clean and the location is fantastic. Breakfast is included (good for a family w/2 kids) and there are a variety of eating options literally around the corner, (good after a long day of sight seeing). There is also a little grocery where you can stock up on water or other snacks.

The metro is right there as Bardo mentioned, and you have Capitol Hill at your doorstep. The neighborhood is really nice too, quiet and residential.

Enjoy your trip!

We really liked the L'Enfant Plaza when it was owned by Loews. Since the change in ownership I've heard the hotel has gone downhill; unfortunate, because the location above a metro station and near many of the Smithsonian museums was great.

Underhill, as a DC native and fan of the Loews L'Enfant I am disappointed to hear that. It is our routine to have dinner there after seeing exhibits at the Smithsonian when my parents come in from the MD burbs.

Btw, I am new to the forums, didn't say an introductions area so I'll say hello here. This looks like a great board.

As I said, I am a DC native (only away for my college years) and I love sharing what I know about the city. I work in marketing here and live in Northern Virginia at the moment.

Shepley, when we visited DC last summer with our 2 kids we stayed at the Hotel George, it was great, the room had 2 QUEEN beds (very comfy too, with pillowtop mattresses) plus a pull-out sofa so plenty of room for all. The hotel is very nice, coffee in the room, and complimentary wine in the lobby at six, like most Kimpton hotels. They also have great summer weekend rates, almost half their usual rate.

IMO, not having to squish 4 people in 2 double beds is a much higher priority than a pool, you might not have time to use it anyway.

Definitely go to Match for dinner and get their great pizza and mini-hamburgers on brioche rolls.

We stayed at the L'Enfant Plaza last summer and loved it. Rooms were comfortable, clean, staff attentive, we loved having the metro right there with the little shops when a diversion was needed.

Yes it is quiet at night, but with children that can be a plus, meaning you have quiet and no noise. Also, it was close to walk to many, many things, and had a nice restaurant where we enjoyed a nice lunch on arrival and another day.

We didn't find it a hassle, after long days touring it was a good location for us and also easy to do the evening tour from of the lit monuments.

We used the morning 'coffee cart' in the lobby for quick breakfasts to get a quick get away to start our touring right off and opted for a good restful lunch instead - and it has a pool which would be good for the kids to take a break in at some point.
Could give them a respite after a day of touring before heading out for the evening.

I can't speak to your other options b/c I haven't stayed there - or quiet might not matter if your kids are older and looking for night action - if that's the case, you would probably rather be in another area. What are their ages?

oh and our rooms had a magnificent view ! we chekced out the internet specials, and then called and got a great deal on a suite

What is your budget? I prefer to stay either at the Mayflower or the Willard. But then again, I am on business whenever I stay there.

L'Enfant Plaza is real dreary all times of the day, as it is only office buildings (we used to have offices there). It is convenient to transportation only because you don't need to leave the confines of the hotel to get anywhere, and the food court downstairs is pretty blah.

What about the Hotel Harrington? It's on 11 St & E St? Relatively cheap, clean and close to the metro and the sights, but again, not much after hours.

Another recommendation I would make would be the Residence Inn. There are 2 locations in DC and 1 in Pentagon City, which is near the metro. Check out the Marriott website for more locations and selections.

Sorry, don't know much about Capital Hill Suites or the Washington Suites.

Off to DC in the morning myself...