The Embassy Suites in Alexandria is definitely considered Old Town proper, however, the western edge of it. It's probably a 10-12 minute walk to the center of OT (King and Washington St's) but there are plenty of shops, restaurants, historic homes along the way. The commute time to the mall is about 20 minutes. Sounds like it might meet the upper bounds of your requirements.

I've stayed at the Washington Suites Georgetown. You get LOTS of space for the money. It was originally a Doubletree and before that residential apartments so it's not a new property. Pretty well maintained though.

Sprin and Obxgirl, thanks very much...it sounds like ES Alexandria may be ideal (and the price differential, while not determinative, is certainly a factor, esp. given taxes of 10% vs 14% in DC). I'm psyched to hear that there are dining/shopping options close to the hotel so that we don't have to shlep 15 minutes a pop to get a cup of coffee outside the hotel. I'm still holding on to my reservations at the Friendship Heights ES, but unless someone here can tell me differently, it sounds like the ES Alexandria may edge it out.

The walk from ES Alexandria to the heart of Old Town is some distance, about three-quarters of a mile (it is a mile to the end of King Street at the river). There are places to eat closer to ES of course, but if bitter cold or a winter rain should blow in during your stay, you might wish you had chosen Friendship.

Table Talk restaurant in Old Town is my favorite breakfast place. It is almost next door to ES, on Duke St. I think there might be a sandwick/coffee place behind the ES that services the people who work in that office bldg. adn those coming in/out of metro. There used to be a Thiesman's restaurant behind ES but I am not sure if it is there anymore - bar, burgers, lunch, dinner. Other restaurants right by the hotel are more upscale - Le Gaulois, Stella's (I'd avoid that place), etc. But as you walk several blocks down King St. you have alot of choices. It is COLD walking down King St. because you are walking towards the Potomac river and it always seems to be windy in winter walking that way- bundle up big time.

Also, you might like Austin Grill on King St. Very casual tex-mex, and lots of fun stuff for your 2 yr old visually, like the big lizard sculpture hanging from the celing, chili lights at the bar, etc.

Well, like I wrote earlier, hoofing it through the delightfully illegal transit strike in NY this week makes the prospect of walking 4 or 5 blocks not as daunting. I did also see that Alexandria has a very nice "First Night" event in town (with several events at the ES itself) that is appealing.

I believe the garage has in-and-out privileges, so I guess I should ask another question (sorry....bad habit.) How hard is it to park in the more "central" part of Old Town. If its easy to get street parking (or if the lots aren't a fortune (say, over $10), I don't mind taking the Metro back to the hotel and driving down a few blocks. On the other hand, if the parking is basically DC rates, that's a factor to consider, since I know the hotel at Friendship Heights is surrounded by places to eat. (and obviously ES Downtown is well situated for that too.)

Thanks (again)!

Street parking is very hard to come by at a normal time of year (even for the residents), much less the holidays. Garages down by the waterfront will be $9-12 for a night. We use the garage across the street from the Torpedo Factory (TF is on the waterfront) a few yards off of King St., and then walk up King away from the waterfront from there. King Street, the main drag w/shops and restaurants where you will be walking, will be crowded, as it is the holidays.

$9 - $12 parking doesn't seem outrageous (esp. given that I doubt I'd eat in Alexandria every night, and if the weather gets milder, which I think its supposed to, the walk isn't that daunting.)

I spent several years living right atop the Hudson River in Northern Manhattan with an infant, so I think the cold weather will be manageable (famous last words.)

jidug--sorry I didn't see this thread earlier but since I live very close to the Chevy Chase ES thought I would give you my two cents; first, don't know when you coming, but it is supposed be in the 50's by Christmas, but also be raining; second, the Chevy Chase ES is in a mall with a food court in the basement with a Starbucks and is the perfect place for a toddler to run around (with plenty of company I might add, it is a parent/nanny hang-out); plus right up the street is a great toddler-friendly city park where my daughter (now 6) and many of her friends spent many hours of their toddler years; lastly, the pool at the ES, is where many of the neighborhood kids learned to swim as toddlers--it is not very big and perfect for little kids; there are tons of places to eat right there and the Metro is literally in the basement of the hotel. I doubt you are coming to shop, but any store you would want is in a 2-3 block radius of the hotel.

Hope this helps,

Mary in D.C.

Mary,

It does help, thanks. Though I am still playing Hamlet between the three ES - - Chevy Chase, Alexandria, and 22d street downtown (I've nixed Crystal City and Doubletree Guest Suites [apologies to the Doubletree fans). I guess right now the main thing I'm trying to decide is whether the differences between Chevy Chase and Alexandria justify the increased cost for CC. (Its not a hugely material difference, but money is money, as they say.)

(If there is an over/under bet on wherever I opt to go, let me know the odds and maybe we can split the proceeds. ;-) )

not to offend the Alexandria backers, but CC is probably more expensive because it is an upscale neighborhood (literally across the street from Neiman Marcus); what kind of activities are you going to be doing in D.C.--that might help us help you decide.

Mary

Pretty much the standard DC stuff - been there probably hundred times. Hit the museums on the Mall, the Zoo, a few national monuments, maybe the Phillips. Get some drinks at Union Station. Dealt with crowds at Spy Museum last year, so I'll wait a few. So from that perspective its all about even location wise. No more than 20 25 mins barring some Metro calamity.

One thing I did read alot on another forum about Alexandria is that the ES is Grand Central Station on New Years Eve, and gets lots of school groups and larger families, many with pets in tow. Presumably most ES do but I suspect that Alexandria - being $114 compared to CC's $150 or Downtowns $140, may attract more of them. Nothing wrong with that, just may be more hectic then we feel like.

"Alas poor Yorick..."

the set-up of the CC ES is really nice with a small child since you can go downstairs without going outside, have a Starbucks and let him/her run around with very few people to bother since the stores down there--Pottery Barn, Hold Everything don't open until 10.

You have alot of Red Line things on your list--zoo (assume your little person is up early so you should try and get Tai Shan tickets--they give out 60 each day at the visitors center on CT Avenue--he is beyond cute), Phillips, Union Station and you can easily walk to the NGA from Union Station; I always think it is easier to stay on one line than negotiate Metro Center with a stroller.

good luck,

Mary

Sounds like the ES in CC would work better for your December trip.

Save Alexandria for a visit when the weather is warmer.

I don't care which ES you decide upon, but I do feel the need to refute a few statements made on this thread. Parking in Old Town is not difficult for residents of Alexandria. We routinely drive and park there. Pick a cross street to King and you will usually be a block from your destination. St Asaph, Columbus, and Alfred are all convenient crosses. Prince and Cameron (the one-way alternatives to King and Duke) also have lots of parking, as do Patrick and Henry (Rte 1 through Alexandria)and Washington St. You do need to pay close attention to the parking meters and signs, as they are very strict about ticketing.

There are a number of garages, operated by APCOA in Old Town and these are better options than the private expensive ones. They charge very little on nights and weekends. A convenient one is at Fairfax and King under Market Square. You can find all garages on the Tourism section of the Alexandria city website.

Table Talk and Joe Thiesman's Restaurant are next to the ES as is Stellas and Quattro Formagi (excellent pizza). There is Thai across King St., Hard Times (chilli) a few blocks down, and several coffee shops within two blocks.

We were in Old Town last weekend for dinner. Are you referring to normal siutations or during late Dec., because we could not find any suface street parking on any side streets within two blocks of King on either side, below Washington Street. My husband hates to pay for parking so we drove around for half hour trying to find street parking. The holidays, up until January 2 or so, are realy very festive and busy in Old Town, many many people shopping and dining.

I was at the World Market below the Embassy Suites in CC a half and hour ago and thought of you. . .let us know what you decided!

Mary in D.C.

Mary:

Still mulling it over between ES downtown and ES Chevy Chase. (opted against Alexandria but may visit it for New Years First Night.)

One thing occurred to me since I'll likely be arriving on Xmas Day - - will any of the services in Chevy Chase area, esp. restaurants, be open? (It was not a problem last year when I stayed at the St Gregory- - very good Chinese restaurant near the hotel was open, and there was a 24 hr 365 day/year CVS only 2 blocks away. I don't assume that would be the case all over the area, though. (Certainly isn't here in NY metro area. The East Village is worlds different on Xmas from the Upper East Side, let alone Bensonhurst.)


This also leads to an additional, more general question. I believe because Xmas Day is on Sunday this year, the Federal holiday is being observed the following Monday. Will the Smithsonian and other places be closed in observance Monday too?

Thanks.

check the Smithsonian web page, but Monday is the federal holiday; I bet alot of the restaurants there are open on Christmas Day; there is within two blocks of the hotel a great Chinese restaurant, Meiwah, that is very kid friendly; plus, right in the "mall" is a Chessecake Factory--not my choice; also a Maggiano's; I bet Maggiano's will be open. The stores, of course, will be closed, but will definitely be open on Monday.

Mary

As advised, do check the Smithonian web site, but IIRC they close only for the actual Christmas Day. They certainly don't observe other Federal holidays.