Going crazy trying to find a decent hotel in DC... help?
 

Here's the lowdown:

- May 14-22, 2010

- 2 adults/1 child (7yr)

- Budget per night ~200-300

- Want to stay somewhere close to Metro station, decent parking options. NW, Dupont, Foggy Bottom, etc.

- Not huge on amenities, but free wifi would be a plus, as would breakfast incl.

I've looked at so many of these sites trying to find a good hotel that meets the above and feel like I'm treading water. I'm tempted to try Priceline or Hotwire, but they seem like the reservation version of Russian Roulette, especially since with PL, they aren't factoring a kid into the double occupancy and I fear a struggle getting the hotel to upgrade the room to accommodate that.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Talk me down... I'm literally going insane and feel like my travel-fu is weak when it comes to this city.

Try the George Washington University Inn in Foggy Bottom. The Latham in Georgetown. The Hotel Palomar near Dupont Circle.

Those seem like easy requirements to meet (except for the parking and breakfast). I checked Kayak and came up with pages of options. Desperado is correct that Palomar has large rooms. Homewood Suites and Residence Inn would give you more room. I'd avoid Priceline and Hotwire.

Free breakfast shouldn't be a deal breaker, although Embassy Suites is an option if you really need it.

Hotwire is a terrific resource, but you do have to do your homework. With www.betterbidding.com, you can often narrow down or even determine the hotel offerings.

Check every available resource online, Quikbook, Easyclicktravel, TravelZoo, as you just never know where you'll find an amazing deal. Be sure to consider parking in the mix, as it's extra...

Maybe you could list some of the hotels you're rejecting, because I can think of literally dozens that meet your criteria (well, maybe Wifi or maybe not, I can't say).

For example -- Priceline lists a crapload of affordable Airport-based and Arlington-based hotels... which is nice, but don't want em.

Cheapest one I could find today is The District for 130/night, but every review site seems to concede that it's sketchy at best, a dump at worst.

I will take a close look at the ones mentioned above, if not, I'll roll the dice with PL or HW.

Are you just overwhelmed with options? Is that the problem? Because your criteria is not very difficult.

One option to consider is the Hilton Washington in Dupont Circle. It's a giant hotel that caters more towards business travelers but it's in a great location (walkable to Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan) and it has a nice outdoor pool that the little one might enjoy.

Wyatt, I think that's a large part of it. Info overload!

You have time to consider you options carefully.

Close in and metro rate tops with me.

Then move to free wifi and breakfast.

Then choose based on cost and size of room.

Well, your budget of 200-300 is a good one. Try the Hotel Washington in Dupont Circle, excellent location. Try the Donovan. Try Topaz. Check out the Tabard Inn--more boho vibe than the other two, which are big, new (or newly renovated) hotels. Try the Inn on the Circle (meaning Dupont Circle), it's a B&B. The Donovan is on Thomas Circle, the rest are on or near Dupont Circle. There is also a Residence Inn on Thomas Circle that would be a good location, and there is at least one other large chain hotel there, but I'm blanking on what it is.

As you can tell, I favor Dupont as a location for visitors, because it's on the Metro, and is a fun, walkable neighborhood to have breakfast or dinner while spending the day all around the town. But you can't go wrong with Foggy Bottom or Penn Quarter/Gallery Place.

1) You have many suggestions that will work for your family. I promise most if not all of these will be within your budget - and that includes parking. Daily parking for DC hotels ranges from $25 to $45 - just figure it into your hotel budget and try not to think about it too much.

Palomar

Tabard Inn (ironically, the best value at the Tabard is also the most expensive room there ($218) - the Penthouse Suite, which has: Private Bath, One King Bed, One Double Bed, Small Dining Area, Small Refrigerator, Sink, Television.

Topaz

Jury's Washington

That's not so overwhelming, is it?

2) The District Hotel IS a dump, but really, what did you expect from what you said was "Cheapest one I could find today"?? The cheapest hotel in ANY city is not going to meet your criteria.

How kid friendly is the Tabard Inn? I wouldn't think the Donovan would be a good choice with a 7yo.

Beyond that, you've gotten good advice. $200-300 a night should get you in almost anything.

My guess is that is graduation weekend, which could be why prices are a little higher.

You say you can pay up to $300, but you are looking at cheap fleabags and considering Priceline. Maybe not looking for the best deal, but one that is in your 200-300 price range and works would be a better strategy.

Priceline is great for short stays-- 1 to 3 nights. Hotels don't usually give Priceline longer blocks because any 6-8 day span might include both some fully booked convention days and a slow weekend.
I second the recs from Bardo and Newbe. Good luck.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites a few years ago. I want to say it was on 10th, but that's from memory and could be wrong. It was a perfectly nice hotel. It was several blocks to the Metro/subway, which may feel a little long with a 7-yr-old.

Embassy Suites - Convention Center is on 10th

We stayed at a Hilton Garden on 14th street. It was just across the street from a Metro station. It has an indoor pool. Breakfast and WiFi aren't free (unless you are gold Hilton Honors members). It was roomier than some hotels and had a fridge and microwave.

We usually stay at the Embasy Suites in Alexandria . . it is right acros the street from the Metro Station which can get you anywhere in a short time

http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_...ginia/index.do

If your budget is $200 to $300 not sure why you're looking at a hotel that's only $130. Have you looked at travelzoo.com? that way you know what hotels and amenities and can be sure there's room for your child.

Great suggestions, all. Interestingly hotels.com is listing some of these hotels at rates within my budget, where just yesterday some were about 100-200 bucks higher on most of the major hotel aggregators. Like everything else in the service industry, the prices are in flux I guess?