We will be traveling to D.C. area in March. I have made reservations at the Homestead Gaithersburg in Rockville, located on Research Blvd. Does anyone have pro or con information about the place? Thans

I've never been in that hotel but it looks nice enough from the outside. Here's some info about the location; I'll let you decide whether these are pros or cons:

-- Close (but not really walkable-close) to the Metro.

-- At the end of Metro's red line -- approx a 35-40 minute ride downtown.

-- In deepest suburbia.

-- Close to the highway -- good location if you want to drive up to Gettysburg, Frederick MD, etc.

if you are planning on spending most of your time in DC (instead of Maryland), then I personally believe you can find a more convenient hotel. The Metro stop is about 10 minute drive from the hotel, and then it is at least a 40 minute ride on the metro to the center of DC. If you list so other options I will be glad to pass on my opinion (from a DC area perspective!)

I strongly agree that if you plan to spend most of your time in DC, that you cancel your reservation and look for a hotel in the city. Otherwise, you'll spend most of your time getting to and from DC. Especially if you are coming into DC before 10am and leaving DC after 3pm. Being stuck in rush hour on Hwy 270 for hours is what people here go on vacation to get away FROM!!

Well, thank you all for your comments. So I guess I might look elsewhere. Our son is doing an internship in Washington and is living in Silver Spring. I checked hotels there and they really jumped in price during spring break time...that is why I looked elsewhere. We do plan on doing the mall thing but perhaps I do need to look for something in the city, but we also want to do some countryside travelling as well. I appreciate your comments.

What about Alexandria? Any suggestions? They have some extended stays available. Thank you for your help.

Being that you want to be near Silver Spring ( and I assume an extended stay) you might want to check the Bethesda area. That is closer to DC and also near the Bethesda stop of the Red Line on the Metro. (BTW, even Rockville is closer in than Gaithersburg and has more to do than around the Homestead)

Kathy,
Alexandria is not convenient to Silver Spring. Have you asked your son about hotels in Silver Spring close to his place?? Is he close to Silver Spring metro? (silver spring is a sprawling area extending many miles)
For Silver Spring, I recommend Holiday Inn Silver Spring
http://www.holidayinnwashingtondc.com/hotels/wasss.html 8777 Georgia Ave. (Rt. 97), Silver SpringG, MD 20910
Phone: 301-589-0800

If you prefer to be in town, I would recommend Radison Barcelo: http://www.radisson.com/washingtondc 2121 P St. NW, Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 202-293-3100

Both of these are in nice areas and are a few blocks from a metro station.

There are also hotels in Friendship Heights (aka Chevy Chase,DC/MD). The Embassy Suites is right over the metro station. If you have a car, it's a quick ride to Silver Spring (depending on where he's living). If he's closer to Rockville, there's a Ramada Inn that's fairly new as well as a Doubletree. Both are close to the metro, but if you don't have a car it will be a long commute to your sons house.