Help finding Hotel outside/near DC
 

I've searched this forum and countless others, but I could really use help from some locals or frequent travelers to DC!

I'm taking my father to DC for his 65th birthday. He has emphysema so he can't walk long distances (and he's also a very nervous traveler...) Here's my dilemma: the week we're going (10/18-10/22) there's a conference in DC so hotels are not only pricey but filling up fast. Based on the searches I did I definitely can't afford a hotel in DC (a room for each of us for 4 nights) so I'm looking for something outside DC with the following criteria: In a SAFE area, within close walking distance to metro stop (no more than 5-6 blocks), with restaurants nearby (we're not renting a car.) I would appreciate any advice ...THANK YOU for helping make my dad's birthday a happy one!!

There is always a conference in DC, more likely there are tons of conferences in DC all going on at the same time.

There have been many posts similar to this by people looking for inexpensive hotels in DC, willing to settle for outside DC if necessary. The consensus is always that there are no cheap hotels in or around DC. And the traffic on the beltway is just awful. And bottom line you need to face reality and book a place.

Have you tried Capitol Suites? Or just about anything near the mall.

You could try the Crystal City/Arlington/Pentagon City area near DCA airport. There are plenty of hotels in that area. Some metro stops within walking distance. & there are also plenty of restaurants with a couple of the malls & all the hotels. I have stayed a couple of times in that area - Embassy Suites, Marriott, Sheraton etc. Most of the hotels, if not all have shuttles to the airport. Some may even have shuttles to the metro stop. One drawback may be the price here also. During the week it could be expensive because of the business crowd, but on the weekends you can usually get some good deals & sometimes they may carry over into the week, if it is a slow week.

Hi GoJenny, Have you tried the Hyatt around 3rd or 4th St.? It's been 27 years since my husband and I spent our honeymoon there so it may be something else now! But, it's near Union Station and I think the tourist bus goes there. Good luck! October is a beautiful time of year in DC.

p.s.-here's the web address. It is still a Hyatt!

http://washingtonregency.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

Regarding his ability to walk long distances -- DC is very much a walking city. I understand short distances are okay for him, but worry about anything beyond the 5-6 blocks you have stated. Once you are off the metro, do you have a plan for helping him see the sights? Just wondering if he wouldn't be opposed to renting a wheelchair while you're in town so that getting back to the metro or hotel after sight-seeing won't be as challenging for him.

Regarding hotel suggestions, could you please specify a price range you were targeting? That will help recommend something.

Also -- U2 is in town on the 19th and 20th playing at MCI center. I would imagine that will add to the challenge of getting rooms in the city proper. Also -- you may want to avoid Chinatown area those two evenings as it will be busy!

Hope you have a fabulous trip to DC with your father.

Beanweb...

thanks for the info. i was planning on using the TourMobile to get around with him. He's not so bad that he'd need a wheelchair (luckily) but he definietly gets winded pretty easy. I'd rather reserve his energy for the sites and not walking to the metro!!

I need 2 rooms, so I'd like to stay under $150 each ($150 x2 for 4 days... adds up fast!). Seems like the hotels I found under $120 are in not so-great areas or out of the way places.

Thanks again for your ideas!

I, too am concerned that the trip may be hard for your father without a wheelchair. The museums are huge and require quite a bit of walking, also some sights require standing in lines. Even if your father doesn't use a wheelchair at home, he'll probably find he'll have more stamina (and fun) if he uses one on the trip. (My mother-in-law does this when she travels.)

You might inquire to see if museums offer free wheelchairs (I don't know) or, better yet, bring one.

I think you should reconsider staying in DC as you may find you'll want to take cabs (relatively cheap) occasionally. Have you considered sharing a room with 2 beds? What is your price range? What are you planning on visiting in DC?

Some people on this board have also mentioned Rosslyn as a convenient place to stay should you decide to look out of the city.

My DC guidebook mentions www.disabilityguide.org as being a helpful website. Also, apparantly Tourmobile operates some vans that are wheelchair accessible. Call (202)554-5100 to be sure a van is available. Your senator or representative can also arrange wheelchair-accessible tours of the Capitol.

Hope this helps.

Try looking at the HOLIDAY INN Balston in Arlington VA. Balston is an area in Arlington that has a lot of restaurants. It is close to the Balston Metro and about 5-6 metro stops to some of the sights. Since you do not want to be walking a lot I recommend Tour buses, DC Ducks(tour bus that also goes on the water) its something different. Many tuor buses/trolley's will drop off and pick up throught the day at many of the sights. Enjoy!!!

Another thought: it is worth calling potential hotels directly and explaining your situation. They might offer senior discounts, etc. that are not mentioned on websites.

I'll be ready to get a pounding on this one but here goes:

The Comfort Inn in Springfield/Franconia area has shuttle service to and from the Metro station. There's the BIG Springfield Mall across the street, and the shuttle will take you to other nearby restaurants. It's the FURTHEST stop on the Blue line, so unlikely to be filled by business types, but it's still only about 1/2 hour to downtown. I liked this hotel because it has some rooms with 1 queen bed + a LR area with sofabed.

The Comfort Inn Alexandria/Van Dorn also has free shuttle. They change their "breakfast room" into a pizzeria operation at night. I don't know if they shuttle you anywhere besides the Metro, and I saw no other businesses between the two points.

Rosslyn IS a convenient & less expensive area, but being so close to DC will probably already be getting "overflow" business. The Hyatt is right across the street from Metro station and often has some great deals for seniors.

Ballston area is great as far as things nearby. I don't know about shuttle services.

I think there's a place at/near the Old Postal Pavilion (Federal Triangle Metro Stop, Blue/Orange) that rents those scooters. Good luck.

I second that Rosslyn (a neighborhood of Arlington, Va.) would be excellent for your purposes. Especially economical and close to Metro are the Holiday Inn Key Bridge and Best Western Key Bridge in Rosslyn.

Both are very close to the Rosslyn metro station, which is the last stop in Virginia before DC, and the string of DC stations near spots of tourist interest starts immediately afterwards (as opposed to having to stop at several stations before they start, as is true when you are coming from the Maryland suburban stations.) There are also a number of restaurants within a couple of blocks, and your Dad might particularly like Tom Sarris' Orleans House, for many years one of the most popular moderately priced steak/prime rib restaurants in the DC area.

The Holiday Inn has a three-meal a day, moderately priced rooftop restaurant with great, sweeping views of the Potomac, the Monuments, DC and Georgetown. It's a little-known find, and your Dad might enjoy getting such views with minimum walking. I took my Mom there for her 75th, and the waitstaff made it very special for her.

For your dates, the Holiday Inn, which is a block and a half from the Metro, has rooms available at $152 from the hotel web site, which also has pictures and descriptions:
http://tinyurl.com/btzpn

The Best Western, which is directly across the street from the Metro, has rooms available for $149 ($134 AARP/Senior or AAA) for your dates from its web site, also with pictures and descriptions, at:
http://tinyurl.com/8rbq2

Thank you everyone for your advice. It's been helpful in pointing me in the right direction.
Much appreciated!!

Try www.capitalreservations.com for discounted hotel rates.

Hello

I stayed at the Econolodge on the outskirts of Washington. I know what you are thinking, but this was a great hotel. It was just 75.00 a night, free parking, free expanded continental breakfast with waffles and fruit, free shuttle service to Union station where you can catch the subway to any part of down town DC. It also was just completely renovated and had pillow top mattresses, coffee maker and small frig in room. I definitely would stay there again. They also have a nice Chinese restaurant in the hotel and it is within walking sitace of other fast food places.

Here is another website for hotels: www.besthotelsnetwork.com. They list the Best Western Key Bridge (Rosslyn - across the street from metro) for $118 per night including tax for your dates in Oct. We stayed there in July and were very pleased. Not a luxury hotel, of course, but clean and comfortable and very convenient.

I would point out that D.C. is very much a walking town. I have never walked so much in my life! (and in the heat in July!) The metro is great and will get you all over D.C., but then there are long walks to the sites and between the sites, etc. I think the Tourmobile will be your best mode of transportation after getting off the Metro. You can read my trip report by clicking on my name.

There is a new Hilton Garden Inn in Courthouse (Arlington) VA which is very close to the Metro and very close to DC. The rates are very reasonable and it is clean and nice.

You are probably the best example of a need for Priceline. I think you could easily do a reasonable rate for DC using it.

Agree with the Hilton Garden Inn Arlington-Courthouse.

Have you thought about a Bed & Breakfast. I will be in DC in November and found two good options which fit your price range and are near metro stops. Aarom Shipman Guesthouse and East Capitol Guest House. I found them at www.bedandbreakfastdc.com/properties