We are coming to Washington DC in July for a week - family of four with two kids. It was recommended to us to stay in College Park, but reading the posts, I am concerned about the travel time to DC. We will probably be going downtown almost every day. I would like a nice family friendly hotel for about $125/night. Any suggestions in College Park or DC? Thank you.

If you read other threads on this general topic, you'll see that many Fodorites prefer lodging in town over the suburbs, and I'm one of them--IMO, you lose a lot of time commuting, and you don't get the same feel for the city. Having said that, College Park is REALLY a bit far to go--Rosslyn, Crystal City and Alexandria are a mere stone's throw by comparison. Your budget seems low to me, but I'm hoping those withe more recent experience can help with specific suggestions.

The Homewood Suites by Hilton in Alexandria looks nice. Does anyone have an opinion? Is it close to the Metro? What would the commute time to DC be? Thank you.

Friends with 2 kids stayed at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn Key Bridge-- I think there were 2 double beds in a room. This was around Thanksgiving and the rate was about $90. Free parking, just a block or so from the Metro, 10 minutes to downtown

I live not too far from College Park and can't imagine why anyone would recommend a tourist stay there, unless you were visiting a college student, of course. It's a really ugly and generally unpleasant area, for one thing, with nothing much around it and few restaurants. I don't ever go there unless I'm forced to for some reason. I just don't like it at all.

Why would someone recommend this? I mean, even if you wanted to stay in a suburb, this would not be a great choice IMO.

I grew ten miles away from College Park and can vouch that it is one of the ugliest college towns in America. You'd enjoy your stay more if you got rooms downtown. Try The Quincy on L Street NW, between 18th and 19th. Perfect spot to walk to so many tourist sites and restaurants.

The Homewood Suite in Alexandria is even more inconvenient than College Park. It's in an area that is a long bus ride to a Metro station.

If you are going to stay in the suburbs, look for places close to a Metro station. If they say they have a shuttle, they aren't close to a Metro station.

We just stayed at Hotel Harrington for $99 per night. You could not ask for a better location. We felt very safe and just 2 blocks from the metro. It is within walking distance to most attractions and restaurants. It is older and not plush, but the location is great.

College Park is too much of a hike with the kids. I've business there often, and finally gave up on staying in DC and doing the Metro out and back every day.

Your budget is on the low-side, I'm afraid, unless you try Priceline and luck out.

But, one idea for you...

The Holiday Inn in Crystal City is sometimes as low as $150, and you're but two stops from the District on the Yellow Line metro. And, one stop from Pentagon City, where's there's a number of options at the Mall for cheap eats.

Also, if you're flying in, you're right across from National...and you can always rent a car at the airport and take off to the sites outside of DC for the day...

Works everytime for me when I'm doing business in the District.