I am wanting some first hand information from anyone who has stayed there in the last year. Can you tell me if you liked the location, what was near there to eat, and how comfortable you felt walking to the metro from there? Did you stay on the executive level or the standard rooms and were you pleased with your accomodations. Thanks.

Opinions please about the Hamilton Crown Plaza in Washington, DC. Thanks.

I have not stayed there so I can't speak to the rooms. The hotel and lobby are quite nice. There is a Metro station on block away (McPhereson Sq). It is an OK area, but pretty quiet at night.

DC coast (American) is right there - great. Havana Breeze is very close for less expensive fare (cuban). One block west, Georgia Brown's has fantastic, upscale, southern food. Ceiba (upscale Latin) is a short walk down 14th.

There are a few other places nearby, but 14th&K is not exactly a restaurant mecca. There are a lot of inexpensive places geared toward the office workers but many are closed after hours/weekends.

I would feel safe walking to the Metro.

Here's a map of the McPherson Sq. area with the two metro exits shown:
http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../mcphersn.html

I am deciding between this Crown Plaza, Marriott Wardman and Grand Hyatt. I got a considerably better rate at the Crown Plaza, the other two were nearly the same. I'll be traveling with my older Mom who has never been to this city. Any other suggestions are comments?

If the two of you are going to be "mall rats", laurelee, pick the hotel closest to the National Mall and the Smithsonian(s). We stayed in the Holiday Inn two blocks from the Mall, but I'd never return there. There has to be more congenial lodgings close by. Try to find a hotel that has shuttle service. Ride the subway at least once. DO do the National Gallery, leave yourself most of a day for this. Gorgeous art. And the National Air and Space Museum is terrific too. If you mom has never seen the Lincoln Memorial, I recommend that as a stop(many, many steps up the front to the Memorial. Believe they also offer handicap access also. Ask your hotel Concierge). DC is a terrific destination. Don't try to do it all in one trip. Hope you have a great time.

The Grand Hyatt is a sliglty better location: you can get to the Metro Center station without leaving the building and will also be very close to the all the restaurants on 7th st (between D and I sts) and in Chinatown. It's also a very nice property. However if the price difference is huge, then the Crown Plaza is a good second choice.

The Marriot Wardman is much further from the main sights.

Here's a map of the Grand Hyatt area:

http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../gallrypl.html

Is it likely that the Marriott Wardman could be a real headache being so close to the zoo and cherryblossom time-with kids and all? Are would it make no difference?

The Wardman is a large, grand convention hotel. It is far from the hotel, but on the Red line of the Metro. Uphill walk (not short) to the zoo. Very far from cherry blossoms (although they have their own lovely flower gardens). If you are interested in the Mall area, this Marriott is not handy. However, the Metro Center Marriot is much closer and sometimes you can get good rates. But it isn't as grand (still very nice.) The Hamilton is pretty handy and you can easily get taxis or walk the 1 1/2 blocks to the McPherson Metro stop. Havana Breeze has closed, but DC Coast is excellent as is Georgia Browns, Bobby Vans, the Sofitel hotel (very classy) has lovely restaurant and then the multiple star french restaurant Gerards on 15th st. You might consider a general 1/2 day bus tour with your mother to get a good sense of the sights and then return to what you want to visit up close and personal. Remember, spring is peak season in DC.

sorry - Wardman Marriott is not close to the MALL (where museums are) -- not hotel...