Wow--what a lot of information I have gathered reading all the messages and replys here! This is wonderful.

We are a family of 4 and need two rooms. We'll be staying during the first week of April. We have found two B&B's--The Shipman House in Logan Circle and The Madison House in the Capitol Hill Historic District; and the Willard Intercontinental (with a great Cherry Blossom Special rate for two rooms). Of course the B&Bs are still about $100 less per night than the hotel.

My question is about the convenience of the Logan Circle location, the safety of the Capitol Hill location, and the wow-factor of the Willard: is it worth the extra money even if they cannot guarantee a view room?

Does anyone know of these two B&B's specifically?

Last question: a previous message inquired about a good place for Easter dinner. What about a good place for Easter brunch?

Thanks for your help!

Logan Circle is going through a renewal/refurbishment right now and is improving, but it can still be a sketchy area, especially at night. Capitol Hill is more established/upscale, but it really depends on your exact location within these neighborhoods. Both areas are getting interesting shops/restaurants, and a lot of renovation activity, but they still have rough areas. I would stay at the Willard if you are interested in the "wow" factor, it really is a great hotel. There are lots of other hotels though that are around $100-$150 and in more consistent/safe neighborhoods. I've seen a lot of people getting a $99 rate at the Radisson Barcelo, which is in a great location, near Dupont Circle. DC has lots of hotel choices, ranging from the major chains (hyatt, marriott etc.) in Crystal City that will have better rates & are right on top of the metro, but that area isn't that exciting (and is just outside DC near the pentagon). Other choices in VA include the Embassy Suites or new Hilton right at the King Street Metro in Old Town Alexandria.

We live in VA and actually just spent a night in DC (only 20 minutes away) just to get away for a night out with any kids. We got a great rate at the Mayflower right on Connectictut Avenue. Very metro accessible with lots of shops and restaurants right there.($109.00 per night). The hotel is magnificent. Very grand lobby and beautiful brunch. The rooms were very nice as well. I have seen many hotels in Washington ( not only the lobbies, but the roms as well). I love the Willard (sentimental favorite since I got engaged in the Round Robin Bar at the hotel), but I think the Mayflower far surpasses the Willard. You may also want to check out Sequoia at the Washington Harbour for Easter Brunch. It all depends what each individual restaurant is planning. Some may do a set menu, others may do a buffet lunch/brunch. The Equinox is quite nice as well. Good luck!

We live in VA and actually just spent a night in DC (only 20 minutes away) just to get away for a night out with any kids. We got a great rate at the Mayflower right on Connectictut Avenue. Very metro accessible with lots of shops and restaurants right there.($109.00 per night). The hotel is magnificent. Very grand lobby and beautiful brunch. The rooms were very nice as well. I have seen many hotels in Washington ( not only the lobbies, but the roms as well). I love the Willard (sentimental favorite since I got engaged in the Round Robin Bar at the hotel), but I think the Mayflower far surpasses the Willard. You may also want to check out Sequoia at the Washington Harbour for Easter Brunch. It all depends what each individual restaurant is planning. Some may do a set menu, others may do a buffet lunch/brunch. The Equinox is quite nice as well. Good luck!

While I agree that Logan Circle and parts of Capitol Hill can be a little sketchy, the main reason I would forgo the B&B's is b/c these are such residential neighborhoods...I think you'd have more fun being within easy walking distance of the mall museums and monuments, plus shops and restaurants. Plus the Willard is a wow-inducing property, a true DC landmark.

Very simple decision: stay at the Willard. Logan Circle is NOT safe ... we've been following that place's transition since the mid-1980's, and despite a lot of progress, it's not there yet. Cap. Hill is okay - I say that as a former resident. But downtown is better ... and the Willard is tops. The Marriott across the street is fine too. Ciao

Recently stayed at the Capitol Hilton - reasonable rates, friendly staff, refurbished recently. I found it centrally located for sight-seeing. I'd recommend it highly.

I agree that Capitol Hill is safer than Logan Circle--at least that part of Capitol Hill. I don't think Logan Circle is that convenient to the metro, either, and I think that place is near 13th and Q Sts, no where I would stay. I am not familiar with the Madison House and I used to live just a couple blocks from there, the only description I can find on address (why are they so mysterious) is that it is across from the Madison Bldg of the LOC--if true, it must be across First St, I guess, rather than on Independence. Can't picture it, but that is a very safe area and only about a block to the metro stop. There are some restaurants and bars not too far from there, but I'd probably rather stay elsewhere myself as a tourist. It would be ok for location, though. If you want a B&B, there are a couple others near Dupont Circle that would be a very good location (Swann House and Inn at Dupont Circle), but they aren't very cheap. If I could afford it, I'd stay at the Willard or Mayflower myself but I don't like B&Bs much.