DC in December
 

I am trying to plan a weekend trip close to the holidays hoping to see some decorations and lights as well as local sites.

My husband and I were thinking Washington, DC as it is a short flight and we haven't been there sightseeing.

Advice on hotels? We are trying to stay under $200 night and I have found Capital Hilton, The Fairmont, JW Marriott and Hotel George in that range. Any pluses/minuses to any of these? or other suggestions?

Is there anything special for the holidays that we should plan on?

Thank you in advance for all of your help. I have been looking at a lot of the DC posts and find all of the information very helpful.

dont' know where you want to be, but we went to DC a year ago for a girls wknd for my birthday and we stayed at L'enfant Plaza Hotel in DC. (probably www.lenfantplazahotel.com or something like that) and it was near the washington monument/Holocaust Museum/ some memorials, museums, we had not trouble walking to most things or easy cab to others. I can't compare to any others, but I can tell you when I called to book the rooms, they were most accomodating finding me a good price and I kept asking is this the best you can do, it's a special occasion, etc I kept getting lower and lower quotes. Might be worth a shot. Haven't been in holiday season, only summer and thanksgiving but I am sure they must decorate / lights/ etc. Otherwise, don't know where you are flying from and you might not want nyc or are looking to also see the historic capital sights, but newport, ri is magnificent in winter with all the mansions decorated and the little shops along the wharf. but not if you want real sightseeing historical musuem stuff, stick to dc. Maybe someone can tell you if they really decorate there or if they don't put as much into it if it isn't a usual holiday destination? It looked nice thanksgiving weekend, but not like new york or newport mansions. I will be interested to see what others say, but perhaps the magnificent cathedrals there have amazing concerts that time of year?

Hi!

I liked the "Washington Hilton and Towers" hotel, it was well priced and a nice walk to all the major attractions. We had a nice view of the Washington Monument, and the room was lovely. Nice soaps, I remember them, ha ha!!

Sorry, I have no experience at the other hotels you mentioned.

Hope this helps!

Convention business tapers off after mid-December so you should be able to get good rates then at downtown hotels. A great time to use Pricelne, if you are willing to gamble. Any 4-star in Priceline's Dupont or convention center zones should be fine. (But consult biddingfortravel.com before you bid if you haven't used Priceline before).

All four of your choices are nice hotels and well located, but the JW is most central. It is also probably the largest. Cap Hilton is also central and fairly large.
Fairmont is sort of at the junction of Foggy Bottom, G'town and Dupont, so farther from the museums, etc., but within a convenient (15 minute walk) of dozens of restaurants of all prices and flavors. George is at the other end of downtown, convenient to Union Station and the National Gallery of Art, but the area offers less in the way of evening activity.
Have you read reviews on Trip Advisor?

To me, the best location is the JW Marriott (14th and Pennsylvania) because you can walk to the monuments, White House and Smithsonians. It is one of Marriott's signature hotels so it is nicer than the standard Marriott. The most luxurious hotel on the list is the Fairmont. It is a beautiful hotel located on 24th St at M. I would choose between these two.

Thank you all for your replies. I will look into the other hotels that you mention. I was leaning toward the Fairmont but had read on TripAdvisor that it not conveniently located.

Escargot - it is funny that you mention Newport, RI. We are actually from RI and are looking to go elsewhere. We've been to NY and were looking to see DC as we haven't seen any of the monuments or anything and I can't get time off until December so we figured it would probably be decorated for the holidays.

Any other thoughts are appreciated and also any must-see's esp. during the holidays as well.

Thanks again.

If you can <b>actually get</b> the JWMarriott at those prices I would take it.

Why? because it is as close to the national Christmas tree, the White House, and some of the other attractions on the Mall as you are going to get AND have that degree of luxury as well.