DC /VA hotels and motels
 

My hubby and I will be going to DC in Sept. Any suggestions on places to stay? We're considering Dupont Circle and Fairfax VA. Our budget is no more than $100.00 night. <BR>What are some safe and inexpensive areas? <BR>Is New York Ave NE safe? Thanks. <BR>

Dupont Circle is a great place to stay. It is convenient since it is right on the red line of the metro, and offers a lot in the way of dining and nightlife. I would definitely choose that over Fairfax. New York Avenue NE is absolutely not safe and not convenient. Don't stay there under any circumstances.

I will second the recommendation to NOT stay in NE. Your best bet is almost anywhere in NW, which is where Dupont Circle is.

If this posting is for real, stay out of NE, and no, not everyplace in NW is safe. For example, stay away from Shaw and Ga. Avenue. And why stay in Fairfax .... there's no subway service, only buses. I seriously doubt you'll find anything around Dupont Circle for $100. Check out the Rosslyn area, and Old Town Alexandria ... you may get lucky, and each is fairly convenient to Metro. Plus I'd suggest you get on the internet and do some research ... and check out Zagat's for their hotel recommendations. And do some research on the Fodors DC site ... there's tons of information ... have you look yet? You do need to! Also consider motels in the Crystal City area ... there's a Metro station within 10-15 minutes walk. Ciao

Just to let you know, we are staying in the DC area for a few days in July. We are staying in Gaithersburg,MD (about 1/2 north of DC, we are renting a car) at the Marriot Washingtonian for $71 per night (AAA rate) for 2 double beds. If you can get to it, there is also a train &/or metro from Gaithersburg to DC. We are also staying 1 night at the Embassy Suites Crystal City for $119 (AAA rate) for 1 King bed & a double fold-out couch, & includes breakfast for all of us. Don't need a car here, close to metro, also close to Airport & car rental places. Be aware that a number of DC area hotels are adding about a $3 surcharge in addition to the price of the room - they call it an energy surcharge.

I live out near the Marriott Washingtonian in Gaithersburg, and would not entertain the idea of staying there. Sure the area is safe, but boring (can always walk over the the great 2 story Target, however). It is approximately 28 miles northwest of the city, so a chunk of your visit will be taken up by the commute (approximately 40-45 minutes on the metro - I do it every day). Dupont is the way to go.

Ilisa, <BR>I did not recommend that they stay in Gaithursburg. All I said, is that is where we are staying & what the price is. I have friends that live in Gaithursburg & have been there many times. They area is not boring, especially if you have a car (although any place can be boring if you stay long enough). It is right next to the mall, which has plenty of restaurants & other things to keep you busy for a day. <BR>And having a car, you can go numerous places outside of DC, as well as getting to DC or the Metro as well.

I'd stay in town if you can get a room in a decent location for your budget, but otherwise find a place near the metro in the suburbs. In addition to the places already mentioned, check out the Marriotts (hotel and courtyard) in Greenbelt. That metro ride is only about 25 minutes to downtown. <BR> <BR>And absolutely do not stay on New York NE. I drive home that way every night and it always distresses me to think of unsuspecting tourists winding up in those motels. In addition to the less-than-desirable neighborhood, there's no metro access.

Ilisa, Dupont Circle is terrific, but can you suggest a place for $100 or less ... their budget limit, unless they're willing to go higher to stay intown. I agree ... why would anyone mention Gaithersburg unless that's what they were suggesting, and what's more, added the price as well. And to say G is in the DC area is a bit of a reach. Personally, I'd go with the place in Crystal City at $119 ... a bit of a splurge, but not that much. Ciao

L, <BR>I am sorry that I mentioned a price, with the hotel we are staying at. Next time I will just mention the hotel without the rate. That would be more informative? This was done just to give some contrast in possible prices in different places. Or maybe, yet this was done because, horror forbid, I am a travel agent, & I get a kick back - but I am not. Just trying to give information on what I know. Where were you when people suggest that flying into Baltimore is good for getting close to DC? Or that Williamsburg is in the DC area. Boy those are really close too. <BR>Once again, sorry, but I live 28 miles west of Chicago & that is considered in the Chicago area - not downtown or in the city, but in the area. I guess Chicago is just a bit bigger (& better) than DC, & encompasses more area. Better yet, I will keep my information to myself from now on, no matter how useless or useful, even though I have been on this board for 5 years. Have fun & I hope you get all the information that your heart desires & only from those special chosen few allowed to respond.

I will give you a few cheap choices in decent areas but they may be a little over $100. That is not realistic in DC unless you are willing to accept very minimal basic housing. It really depends on timing, also, as rates are lower at very beginning of Sept and then rise quite a bit for the higher season (weather, business reasons). In addition to vetoing Gaithersburg (yes, it is boring and not near DC), I would personally not recommend Greenbelt. That area is not very nice or attractive or on the top end of the safety scale, either (espec around Greenbelt Plaza) IMO, I can't think of a reason to stay there as it's rather far out. I'd recommend Carlyle Suites near Dupont Circle as your best choice; a great location and they are usually only a little over $100, I think. If you are willing to do a B&B, the Kalorama Guest House near Woodley Park metro or Adams Morgan is in your budget , decent and in nice areas (both are); even with private bath (one of those properties has more private baths than other, I think Woodley Park), it is in your budget. Days Inn on upper Conn Ave is very convenient and in a good location (right near Van Ness metro stop); it's not glamorous but okay and not too much over $100, I think. There are more choices outside the city, of course, a Quality Inn near Arlington metro stop is in that price range, I think, and that is not far at all. You don't say where in Fairfax you'd stay or why; I used to work there and I suppose there are some of the lower budget chain motels around on the main roads, but there's nothing there for a tourist and I would not stay there, it's too inconvenient and not DC. I think if you are going to visit a city, you should experience it and not stay out in some suburb.

We'll be staying at the Holiday Inn Smithsonian next month. Does anyone have any opinions about that hotel and/or location? Thanks.

BTW Bill, why don't you grow up -- nobody said you are not allowed to post anything, people just disagreed with you, god forbid. Believe it or not, if you post an opinion on a public internet forum you are going to have to accept the fact that someone may disagree with you and say so. If you can't accept that without whining and pouting as you've just done, don't post on such forums, it's really that simple. Lots of people disagree with me (like you) and it doesn't bother me in the slightest as I believe in my opinions and have reasons for them.

Bill, I am glad you like staying in Gaithersburg. Enjoy your trip. I have lived in the area for almost 10 years and merely suggested that G avoid the area because it is inconvenient. By posting your hotel and the rates, it appeared that you were recommending it. No need to get into a snit. Incidentally, your hotel is not next to the mall which is two exits up 270. The Target, Macaroni Grill, Pier One, Kohl's, and movie theater next to your hotel hardly make up enough activities to occupy a day.

Christina, <BR>I don't mind if somebody, anybody, everybody disagrees with me. That is what this public forum, or any public forum is about & I have no problem with that. <BR>But what I do mind, is somebody who puts out words attributed to me, which I never wrote or said. Speaking of growing up, it is like having to tell my kids, to always read what is actually written & not what you think is written & don't put words into it that aren't there. Once again, I did not recommend staying in Gaithersburg, I would not recommend staying in Gaithersburg for anybody who wants to be in DC. It was just a contrast of hotel rates in different areas, for our situation this is what we are doing. Opps, sorry Christina there I go pouting again (pout, pout, pout). <BR>BTW Christina I do agree with your assessments on where to stay. & Ilisa, keep up the good work, I personally enjoy your DC area info & file it for later use. BTW - That is why we rent a car, so we don't have to stay in Gaithersburg all day, but when we are there, we find enough to keep us busy.