Has anyone stayed at one of these hotels? Crystal city is closer to all the attractions but at least 2 blocks from the Metro. Chevy Chase is in same area of Metro yet further out from the city. The first is a lot cheaper than the latter.

How long does it take to get to the Mall from Crystal City using the Metro?

Your opinion please. Thanks.

I've stayed at both of these, and would choose Chevy Chase if the cost difference wasn't huge.

We stayed at the Crystal City ES and regretted it, it's far enough from the Metro that when we were there they offered a shuttle to the station and pickup if you called them. IMHO, the significant thing is door-to-door time; from the ES in Crystal City, you'll spend more time walking from the hotel to the Metro as you spend riding the Metro. Plus, the CC area is full of just office buildings, very boring.

OTOH, we loved the location of the ES in Checy Chase because it's literally right on top of a mall and the Friendship Heights Metro station -- you can just ride escalators up from the train to the hotel! So even though it's farther from the Mall, the door-to-door time from your hotel to (for instance) a Sithsonian museum is less.

When comparing costs, don't forget to include room taxes.

I think Anonymous offers a good assessment. Chevy Chase is a nicer location and if cost difference were small I'd opt for it.

If budget considerations rule and you choose the Crystal City ES, the trip to the mall will take 15-20 minutes in non rush hour. It won't take that much longer from Chevy Chase but you will have to change from the Red Line to the Blue Line. Crystal City is on the blue line so there is no change. As Anon says, Crystal City is lacking in charm and nightlife. There are plenty of dining and shopping options within a 10 minute driving radius but after a long day of touring you may not be interested in that.

There's a reason Crystal City is cheaper, it's less desirable. I would choose Chevy Chase. It's more convenient to the metro and is at least in a shopping mall, just in case you want to browse or grab a bit. Crystal City isn't even much of a place, to me, just a bunch of highrises. Crystal City being closer to the attractions isn't that important, as the metro ride isn't that much longer that I'd even consider that as a reason to pick it.

Chevy Chase is my choice too. Along the red line you have more interesting places that you might want to explore. There are good restaurants in Cleveland Park and Bethesda -- which are a few stops in either direction on the metro. The Embassy Suite in Friendship Heights (Chevy Chase) is right over a mall and Mazza Gallery (with Neiman Marcus) is across the street. Saks is down the street. (Just in case you're a shopper.)

Crystal City is a concrete jungle and not too interesting.