HELP!! Hotel/Airport suggestions needed Washington DC trip
 

Family of three ( one teen) flying to DC for 3 nights later this month. A bit of last minute planning I realize.

I have read all the posts and am confused as to the best plan.

Since time is short to take in all the sights.

I would to stay close as possible with good metro connections close.
Budget is roughly $300 a night with a good breakfast included. ☺

Right now I am leaning toward Embassy Suites Chevy Chase and flying into Reagan.

Are there other options that are workable? I need more options so I can book immediately.

Why go to Chevy Chase -- there's an Embassy Suites in Crystal City, which is right at Reagan.

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

You might check out the Swann House Inn - their Blue Sky Suite has a separate sitting room with a daybed, runs $285/night and includes and very substantial continental breakfast (not just packaged muffins and oj). It is walking distance to Dupont Circle and the metro. We have stayed there and were pleased with the accomodations, location and breakfast, plus the courteous service. It is a B&B but on the large side with 12 rooms, so it's not a homestay.

The Embassy Suites at Chevy Chase is more convenient to the Metro (although further away from the tourist sites) than the one in Crystal City.

Flying into National--regardless of the hotel--is a good decision.

Oh, thank you!

Got the air travel figured out.

Just need to book the room.

I failed to mention I am trying to use ccard points for Hotel.

Any other suggestions out there?

Embassy Suites in Chevy Chase is a nice location if not staying right in the city. It's on the red line and there are a few nice restaurants near it. Lots of shopping if you're interested in that. What other hotels will your points work?

If your budget is $300 a night and you need an Embassy Suites to make CC points, you can stay at the ES downtown (on 22nd St) for a great deal under your margin. That ES is showing rooms for $130 - $200 a night during the forthcoming week. It's equidistant between Dupont Circle and Georgetown. The closest metro is Dupont Circle, maybe 3.5 blocks away. That isn't terribly convenient but given your budget you could take taxi's. Or walk.

Chevy Chase is a nice location and on the metro but way the hell across town from Reagan and most of the tourist spots.

Crystal City is very close to the airport but not all that interesting a place to stay.

Given the limited time, I would definitely agree with staying as close to downtown as possible

Oh ccredit points work on lots of hotels. Overwhelming selection. Just picked Embassy because of habit/

I am also considering Loews Madison.

Ideally what would be your best bet.

I would definitely stay downtown DC. Madison Hotel on 15th St is in a good location near 2 metro stops. U could check out the Marriott at Metro Center.

If your two current choices are the Loews Madison and the ES Chevy Chase, I'd take the former without hesitation.

Not ragging on Chevy Chase but I don't see why you'd (likely) pay a little extra to fly into Reagan and then by pass downtown DC and the popular tourist destinations in order to stay up in CC.

The Loews Madison is about a block and a half from a metro station, McPherson Square.

<<<Not ragging on Chevy Chase but I don't see why you'd (likely) pay a little extra to fly into Reagan and then by pass downtown DC and the popular tourist destinations in order to stay up in CC.>>>

Me either! I wasn't at all recommending staying in Crystal City - I just didn't understand why you'd go from Virginia to Maryland (through downtown) just to get to a different Embassy Suites.

Although I am the family trip planner....mapskills is a big weakness of mine. Please over look...that is why I am asking for help. Only been to DC once as a child so I am not at all familiar with the neighborhoods.

What about Hotel Madera? CCredit card points will work there.
Good location?

Yes, the Hotel Madera is in a good location

Thank you all for the help....I will go with Madera and start planning the activities.

Any eating spots not to missed close by?

Madera is a Kimpton property. I love Kimptons.

joebear, there are probably 50 not be missed places to eat close by. How about a little help narrowing down your interest and budget?

There is restaurant called Firefly which is adjacent to the hotel and looks very appealing. I have eaten there but it's received some good reviews. Food and decor is modern american.

My boss eats at Firefly every so often with his "team" and/or clients. I went once for happy hour and had their "grilled red wine poached octopus" appetizer. It was really good.

Bought tickets and booked Hotel Madera. We have family in Richmond so staying first night there and they are driving us into DC. Only 3 days in DC total.

Need advice on schedule

Day 1 Mount Vernon- morning
Afternoon- zoo or National Gallery

Day 2 Museums- all day
Night light tour of monuments


Day 3 Hop on and off Bus tour.....free to explore.

I don't think that you will be able to do Mount Vernon and the other stuff on your list in one day.

I was there for several hours in September. Maybe stop at Arlington National Cemetary on the way back?

Are you talking public transportation to Mount Vernon?

No our family is driving us into the city so we plan to get an early start and see Mount Vernon on the way in to city.

4 teens.....Need something fun for the afternoon. Only day we have to spend with them.

Might leave afternoon open and see how it goes....switch night monument tour to that evening.

I was thinking that was the case. Maybe Mount Vernon and then walk around Old Town Alexandria afterwards before heading into DC. Unless you family has to leave right after the Mount Vernon portion. That really only give you two days in DC though.

The NGA closes at 5:00 except on Sundays (6:00) and the Zoo animal exhibits close at 4:30 until April (then it's 6:00).

I would not add either onto the end of a Mt. Vernon trip.

Oh, thank you. Old Town Alexandria sounds interesting and it could be they have not been. Since they live close they have seen most of the sights.

Not sure how long they will stay with us. I am thinking they will drop us off at Hotel in time to start home before dark.

Yes you are correct two days in DC. First is a Sunday.
The must see list is
Monuments
National Gallery
Zoo (pandas only)
Museums

I want it to be relaxing so trying not to over plan.

My daughter will not have to see everything at Gallery or Museums. We can hit highlights.

How walkable is Washington DC?

I am considering the 2 day Hop on Hop off bus tour so we can maximize our 2 days there. It would give us the night tour so extend our day.

Is that a good idea? Kind of expensive but we have enjoyed them in the past at different cities.

I don't think we will need the metro if we chose the bus deal.

It's very walkable in that it's pretty flat (we've walked from Woodley Park to the mall) BUT, it can be a fair distance from one museum/monument to the other. For example, from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Bldg. is over 2 miles.

If u use the hop on off bus u should be fine. Does the bus go out to the Zoo? That's a bit further afield then the museums and monuments. It can be reached by the Metro Redline. DC is pretty flat and easy to walk around.

Hampton Inn near the Convention Center in DC is a good choice. Breakfast is included and near Chinatown and few blocks from Smithsonian, Capitol, etc.

If you need a reliable ride, call Eduardo - 301-370-8036. His prices are very reasonable and also gives great DC tours.