Hi! My sister and daughter (14) are coming in from Europe and want to stay in Washington for a few days to see all the sights. I am bringing my elderly mom who will probably remain at the hotel most of the time. She likes an outdoor pool and a lovely lobby to sit in. We want a good area that is convenient to all sights. Any suggestions for a really nice pkace to stay? Thanks!

We are planning a trip to D.C. at the end of June and have reservations at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City. I have heard very good things about this hotel and am looking forward to it. Apparently, there is a Metro stop right in front of the hotel and it is attached to large shopping mall. Since it a Ritz-Carlton, I'm sure it would be nice for your mother. We got a weekend rate of $179 including valet parking and breakfast for two.

Hope this helps! Have a nice trip!

How important is it that the pool be outdoors? That could be a problem in DC (or most other cities that get cold in the winter, I'd think).
"Convenient to all sights" (and thank you for not writing "sites," by the way) is another problem. Close to the Mall means you're not close to the Zoo, the National Cathedral, etc. There are hotels that will put you near a Metro stop, so as long as you don't mind hopping on Metro, you can get where you want to go pretty quickly.
How nice is "really nice"? JW Marriott (pleasant and convenient, but soulless)?
Hay-Adams? Four Seasons (in Georgetown, so not all that near a Metro, but not far from the Foggy Bottom stop)?

June, I stayed the grand hyatt in DC last year and would highly recommend it. The lobby is beautiful with an atrium throughout the center of the hotel. The pool was closed for renovation when we were there and is indoor. The location is excellent, couple of blocks from the white house and short walk to the mall. Further, there is a metro station adjoined to the hotel. I found the hotel rates to be excellent. Just note that there are 3 different hyatt's in DC.

The Mayflower (downtown D.C.) has a great lobby. You may want to also try the Westin Fairfax just off Dupont Circle. The Willard is very nice, as is the Four Seasons in Georgetown. If you want nice nice and money isn't an problem, the best hotel in DC is the Jefferson.

However, none of these hotels have outdoor pools that I know of. That's something that's very rare in DC. I think the Loew's Hotel near L'Enfant Plaza has one, but it may be indoors. I wouldn't recommend that hotel because of the location (nothing but office buildings near by). People with kids seem to like it because of the pool.

I would avoid the Ritz-Carlton. Yes, it's right next to the metro and basically in a shopping mall, but for the price, you can easily stay in DC at a nice hotel and not bother with the commute. Besides, the only restaurants and such around the hotel are all chains.

The Embassy Suites on 1250 22nd Street I stayed at last summer and I thought it was a great hotel especially for the value and location. The hotel was located near Georgetown and Dupont Circle along with being located near two metro stops. The hotel's lobby was a nine story atrium that had palm trees, waterfalls and glass elevators. The hotel additionally had an indoor pool and whirlpool. A free breakfast and evening reception were also served at the hotel everyday.

Can anyone tell me if they have stayed at the Melrose Washington Hotel? Expedia has been a speical with it and it looks very nice.

My daughter and I stayed 3 nights at the Grand Hyatt in DC. BEAUTIFUL lobby and extremely convenient. The Metro station is an escalator ride down from the lobby and it was $5 / person for an all day pass!!!

We stayed at Loew's L'Enfant Plaza a few years ago. They had a very nice rooftop pool -- outside, very pleasant. If they still have that pool, you might want to check the hotel out as a possibility.

As another poster said, the hotel is south of the Mall in an area of govt. buildings, but it's on the Metro and a short walk to Smithsonian. We got a good rate with our AAA membership, too.

Oops, pressed Post too soon.
Meant to add that my Best Lobby award would go to the Willard -- and it's right on Pennsylvania Avenue, in view of the White House. They serve a very pleasant (not cheap) afternoon tea, too.

We just returned from a 5-day stay at the Omni Shorham. Beautiful lobby, spacious rooms, lovely outdoor pool and spa. Staff was extra courteous. Nice safe residential location 1/2 block from Woodley Park Metro. Got $100 a night through AAA.