KatieL

I am taking a group of 12 - 16 teens between the ages of 12 and 17 to Washington DC in September. We will be attending a conference at the Crystal City Marriott, and then will stay at another hotel for three nights to sightsee. I WISH the Marriott would give me the conference rate for the additional 3 nights, but no such luck.

My primary needs for hotel are:
-Price
-Safety
-Proximity to metro station
-Cleanliness

After reading countless posts on this forum, the Red Roof Inn Chinatown seems to be the best choice. I can have 1 adult and 3 teens in a room for $135 per night. I wanted to double check with you all on the safety and cleanliness, though. I want parents to send their kids with me next time also!

Last year we stayed at the Days Inn Arlington, and were disappointed. It was much farther from the metro than the desk clerk told me on the phone, and the shuttle service was sporadic. It didn't feel too safe either.

Is the Red Roof Inn Chinatown my best bet? I'm looking for confirmation, or better suggestions that are not over $135 per night. These kids are working to pay for their own trips and every $50 makes a big difference.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Anonymous

DC's Chinatown is really tiny, just a couple of blocks. It's a convenient and safe location. Don't miss the National Building Museum; be sure to take the guided tour. It's an amazing structure wtih a fascinating history.

For handy maps that show hotels, Metro stations and points of interest, see

www.stationmasters.com

Check out the site's hotels index if you consider any others, to check on the nearest Metro stop.

bardo1

I think it meets all your needs perfectly.

The Metro is 1-1/2 blocks away. See this map:

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

It's very safe, especially as people go there to eat until the wee hours of the morning. Lot's of foot traffic. Still, I would suggest you tell your group to keep to points west and south of the hotel when wandering around.

There are no better suggestions that are not over $135 per night - unless you would consider shared baths or Priceline. The Red Roof Inn is perfectly fine for a group of teens. The average rack rate for a basic double room in DC is about $350.

GeorgeW

The Red Roof is not a bad choice, especially if the teens eat Chinese. I especially like Tony Cheng's Mongolian Grill. Due to the basketball/hockey arena nearby, the streets are jumping with action most of the time. Because Chinatown has the sports teams, Chinatown has several non-Chinese restaurants which might better appeal to teens. As for safety, I would be leery of allowing the teens to amble anywhere north of K Street due to the crime in one of the projects close by. However, new condo developments are spouting up along Massachusetts Avenue, gentrifying the whole neighborhood.

KatieL

Thanks to both of you for your confirmation! The stationmasters site is helfpul as well. I think I will go ahead and book some rooms.

I would not hesitate to try Priceline if I were traveling with a small group, but I may have to cancel one room before leaving. Also, I have to be certain of getting two beds per room.

Anonymous, I have not done the Building Museum before. I'll try to fit it in this trip. My male chaperone is an architect, so I think it will be a perfect stop.

Bardo, I see you recommend Tabbard Inn. It looks great! I think I may try it on my next solo trip.

Thanks again!
Katie

KatieL

George, thanks for the safety tips. I will not be allowing them to wander without an adult, so we should be fine. I will make a note about K Street. Thanks!

rb_travelerxATyahoo

I've stayed there and it is an excellent choice. Formerly a Comfort Inn, it's a steel & cement structure, not like the roadside Roofs you typically see. There's a fitness room, LOTS of local restaurants including BK, Quiznos, Fudruckers. Do see the National Building Museum, just around the corner.

Like most Red Roofs, it's clean but sparsely furnished. No shampoos, shower caps, hairdryers. I'm sure the beds are a FULL size (54") not queens (60") so sleeping is tight. I work pt at a hotel with only 1-king or 2-full and a lot of the youth groups will share bed but don't want to share the bedding, and hotels usually cannot honor THAT many requests for extras. Bring sleeping bags if sharing a small bed is a problem.

For a group that size, how about a hostel? Each person gets their own bed & bedding, and larger dorm-type bathrooms mean less waiting for others. http://www.hiwashingtondc.org/

There is also a 4H Conference center on Connecticut Ave that provides dorms for qualified groups.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Anohter plus of the Youth Hostel is free breakfast, not available at the Roof. Association with international travelers another benefit. Good luck.

MikeT

The Youth Hostel is in a slightly less appealing/safe neighborhood than the Red Roof, but for the price, it would be fine.