I am coming to Washington with my two sons, 10 & 13. I have narrowed my hotel choices between Holiday Inn Capitol because of being able to walk to sights & the Barcelo, because of good reviews on this sight. I'm not concerned about elegance... just a place to rest and sleep. Metro location is important. Any suggestions?

I'd say the Radisson, no question, for a couple of reasons. I'd feel a lot safer walking at night around Dupont Circle and Foggy Bottom (where the Radisson is) than Cap. Hill. (But it's a city of course, so be careful regardless.) Cap Hill is much more residential--though it has a few areas with interesting restaurants/shops--than Dupont Circle, which has more interesting things going on at all times of the day and night. Both are close to metro, so that's not an issue. Also, depending upon what sights you want to see, you may not be very close at the Holiday Inn anyway, for example, the national Mall (Smithsonian buildings, Wash. monument, etc.) is not a quick walk from the Cap. Hill area.

Anyway, that's my personal opinion.

The Radisson is closer to coffee shops, restaurants and bookstores (and a few movie theaters), the HOliday Inn is just off the Mall so you can walk to some of the museums from there, as well as a Tourmobile stop.

Capitol Hill is not more residential than Dupont Circle, it's the exact opposite--at least where that HOliday Inn is which is not at all residential and not that dangerous, either. The higher crime part of Capitol Hill is a residential area to the east of the Eastern Market metro stop and to the east of Union Station. That Holiday Inn isn't even really on Capitol Hill IMO, you can see the hill rise up around the Supreme Court and Capitol Buildings but that HOliday Inn is down near the Air and Space Museum. Both are very close to a metro stop, though, so that doesn't really matter. I think Jennifer is probably not aware of where that hotel is by saying it's not close to the Mall, but Dupont Circle is very residential in any case. The Radisson Barcelo isn't in Foggy Bottom, either.

Another vote for the Radisson! Huge rooms as the hotel was formerly an apartment bldg.

Is this the Holiday Inn on C street? We stayed there last summer. Good location-one short block from the Air and Space Museum. People at the front desk were extremely helpful. Outdoor pool on the roof,too.

Thanks for your help. We ended up at the Holiday Inn. Great for the kids...safe area, walked everywhere. More into the sights than shopping, restaurants, etc.