DC vacationers need HELP. Choose between Hampton Inn & Suites Reagan and R.I. Pentagon City. Need HELP PLEASE!!!
 

Family of 4 ( DW, 14, and 12 yr old) have narrowed down the choice btwn Hampton Inn and Suites Reagan, and R.I. Pentagon City. We like the proximity of Metro, pool, and Continental Breakfast of both. Does anyone have any advice or heard of any horror stories that TA has not reported? Which is safer and closer to shopping, restaurants, and Metro? May have 2 relatives ( 65 + ) along also. We plan to buy a weekly Metro pass and take advantage of this great system. We plan to visit the 1st wk of July for 6 days. Will ask about intinerary later. Thanks for the help

mes3

Sorry..R.I.(Residence Inn perhaps ????????) Do you have exact addresses for either?

Yes R.I. is Residence Inn. The addresses are: R.I. 550 Army Navy Dr. Arlington

and Hampton INN Reagan 2000 Jefferson Davis Hwy Arlington. Thanks for your help Dukey.

The area is swamped with business travelers and tourists, so either location should be fine.

If I were you, I'd call each hotel and ask them if the Metro is accessible via the "underground" walkways. If so, then walking distance shouldn't be an issue. However, if 65+ relatives are with, you may also want to ask hotel if they have complimentary shuttle to metro. Most do in the area. I have to travel to D.C. all the time for work, and as a female traveling often by myself, I don't have much issue if I'm in Old Town Alexandria and/or Crystal City.

Restaurant/shopping: this really depends on what you want to do. Locally, Crystal City has decent fare for the business traveler. But most shopping/dining is a metro ride away. All you have to do is figure out what you're craving and/or shopping for.

Just so you so, there's a great dining website for the DC/VA/MD area - opentable.com. If anything, you can see what type of cuisine is available, and if you want, make reservations online. Used it several times when I lived in Maryland two years ago.

I would never stay in Pentagon City. The main thing there is a mega shopping mall. If you like shopping, however, then perhaps you would enjoy it. If you do end up there and want to save money, you can use the food court in the mall for some inexpensive meals.