hey - looking for help with my washington dc plans please...

i usually plan a trip to the us (from uk) in march and would like to go next year to washington dc as i have never been there before and it's somewhere i'd like to try.

i'm planning my trip for april 3rd (thursday) - 6th (sunday).

i like to shop (upscale-ish) and take in a few sights but i'm not really bothered about trailing around museums as i'm only spending three nights in washington dc.

i usually go in march/april as it means lower airfares and hotel rates and i like to stay somewhere nice. i've got my eye on the ritz-carlton at pentagon city after reading a few posts here but will a get a sub-$200 rate for my dates (its cherry blossom festival time) - only rack rates show online at the moment, i presume because its so far in advance. should i schedule my trip for a week or two earlier? what other hotels should i be looking at? is this a good time to visit ? - i don't care about the weather...just lower rates and fewer tourists.

i'm flying into bwi (arrive 5pm) and out of dca (depart 8.45pm) - what are my transportation options and should i try flying into dca?

and finally...how would you spend these two-three days in washington dc?

thanks for any help or advice...x

ok...just tried orbitz for the dates i mentioned and its offering a really good rate at the park hyatt - its pre-paid - should i go for that or should i hold out for the r-c pentagon city?

thanks...x

Haven't you ever heard of travel guides and travel agents. Do at least a little research before asking a zillion questions.

DC is absolutely mobbed in late March/early April with tourists out to see the cherry blossoms. I don't know what kind of rates you'll find at that time. I'm guessing most hotels jack up their rates for late March and early April, but it's possible that you could still find a decent deal. The cherry blossoms are truly beautiful but the exact date they'll bloom is very difficult to predict. If you want to avoid crowds come in May. The weather will be nicer and there should be fewer people since it's right in between the spring break season and the summer vacation season.

For the greatest convenience, fly into DCA but BWI will always be cheaper. It just depends on your priorities.

thanks julie - might try may if it'll be a bit quieter then

thanks again julie...x

Dennis
Ignore Doc.
I agree that early May is a much nicer time to go to DC, and a bit more "off season"
Is the RC on the same side of the river as the Pentagon? I found that area a bit too quiet and less convenient that areas such as Georgetown or Dupont Circle, but maybe that was because we were with friends over there.
I also dont love hanging out in museums for extended periods, but found we spent way more time in the various ones of the Smithsonian than we had planned for. It is amazing!

btw - doc, i'm just looking for some advice - any advice - about washington dc and i'm starting my research on here because its the opinions of the people who post on here that i value the most - these people have first hand experiences and can tell me more about a place in a few lines than any guide book, or travel who's never been to washington before, ever could.

dennis, just checked and you can get the Radisson Barcelo's "Go Package" for $129/night for the dates you've chosen. It's a steal and the location is great; just a short walk from DuPont Circle and a very nice, active section of Connecticut Ave (plenty of shopping). The Hilton Embassy Row is also a good choice in that neighborhood.

Personally, I would go for it -- it's a great time of year in DC. Go to the Radisson website to lock that in.

While it's true that DCA is a more convenient airport, I'm not sure that's going to be an option for you, coming in from the UK.

Here is a link to my travel notes on Washington DC, if you're interested:

http://www.igougo.com/planning/journal.asp?JournalID=5632

Happy Contrails!

Another vote for Dupont Circle area.

Hi Dennis,

I have stayed at the RC Pentagon City a few times, I have lived next door to the new downtown RC (South of Dupont, north of Foggy Bottom), and stayed at the RC Tyson's Corner just this past week....so here is my take:

If, as you say in your first post, you would like to avoid tourists then any of the RC's will be what you are looking for. They are definitely NOT toursit free (that is impossible during that time of year), but when compared to the most popular Dupont/Georgetown/Crystal City hotels, you will be more insulated from tourists at the RC.

The downtown location is tucked away so that you are not in the middle of the tourist action but still within walking distance to Dupont, the monumnets, and Georgetown.

If you are most interested in shopping then the Tyson's and Pentagon locations are the best. Tyson's mall is more high-end but it is too far out of the city for your needs.

The Petnagon City mall is definitely not low-end and should take care of your itch to shop when paired with a walk around Georgetown one day. It is across the river from the city and a cab or subway ride is required to get into the city.

My choice would be the downtown location. Quieter part of the city, shopping nearby, restaurants nearby, all the tourists sights within walking distance. Go for the splurge...you wont regret it.

From P. City RC it's only 5-10 minutes into Dc - blue line for one side of the city, yellow for the other.

Don't waste your time staying outside the city. Also, don't waste your time at the malls. They're all the same, and you could be in any suburb of any city in America.

Just wander around Georgetown, Dupont Circle and further north on Connecticut Avenue, and you'll find all of the shopping you want.

Try the Westin Fairfax near Dupont Circle.

hey - thanks for all the replies

thought about doing the following :

staying the first two nights at the park hyatt near george town and then going to the rc at pentagon city for the final night - i read its near to dca ariport and also our flight isn't till late at night so we could fit some shopping in during the day at the mall....what do you think?

theres a bed and breakfast rate at the rc for $180 per night and i can get the park hyatt for $160...do you think i'll do much better than this / do you think i can get similar hotels for less

thanks again

dx

If you want an upscale hotel close to upscale shopping within spitting distance of the airport, then you've found your place in the Ritz Carlton. The $180 rate seems quite good compared to the rack rate. Why not book it now and cancel if you find something better between here and next spring?

Can't speak to the Park Hyatt but I'm sure others on this forum can. Is the $160 rate prepaid? I wouldn't prepay so far in advance. Have you checked out the St. Gregory? It's on M Street only a couple blocks from Georgetown. Quikbook had rooms here for $159 recently. A deal.

thanks

what's the st gregory like?

the park hyatt rate is pre paid but i can get a full refund less $10 if i cancel.

thanks for your help again...dx

dx,

I wouldn't prepay for a hotel in DC that far in advance (tho $10 isn't that much to forfeit if you cancel). Most places DON'T require you to prepay or penalize cancellation (in a reasonable timeframe).

The St. Gregory is newish (built in 2000) and located on M. Street between Georgetown and Dupont Circle. It was quite new when I stayed there and rooms were lovely, the location convenient to the few things you mentioned and the staff verty accommodating. Mostly I brought it up as an example of an upscale-ish place available on Quikbook which I could vouch for. I have no affiliation with QB, just a satisfied user.

Hi! I've been going to DC for the past three years for about a week at a time. You must must see the White House, the Jefferson and Lincoln and Vietnam Memorials, the FDR Memorial, the Ford Theatre(where Lincoln was shot) and the Capitol. These demonstrate the majesty and dreams of America. Forget shopping - that's for a trip to NY! You would like Georgetown, though. It is lovely. Have fun!

thanks once again guys - sound advice - i'm taking note...dx

Check about whether the Capitol and White House have resumed giving tours, and what you have to do in advance to get one. And Ford's Theatre closed in June for extensive renovation work, though the work will probably be done by next spring!

Dennis-

The Park Hyatt has very nice accomodations (often will upgrade free of charge) and very conveniently located. You can walk to Georgetown, the White House, Dupont Circle, etc. and is just a few blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro station.