Going on a weekend getaway to DC. I have reviewed many postings(thank you) and can see that Dupont Circle area is a favorite. I am definitely looking for easy metro access and walking distance to shopping/restaurants. I have used Priceline in the past and see the Omni Shoreham and Westin Embassy Row listed on the hotel list for the Dupont Circle area. Would love any opinions on the locations of these hotels so that I can decide to go Priceline or try for a reasonable weekend rate online for a better locale. My alternate priceline option would be "downtown" area, including JW Marriott. Thanks!

kcr426,

My husband, son and I stayed at the Topaz which is maybe 3 blocks from the Dupont Metro. Topaz is part of Kimpton Group hotels.

PROS
The room was wonderful -- soft, down comforter, oodles of down pillows, excellent mattress... lovely, small, immaculate Kohler bathroom with Aveda products... couldn't hear hubby shower in the morning... couldn't hear hallway noise at all (and we were right by elevator).

There was a Starbucks nearby and several other fun restaurants. Location was good. Street quiet. Helpful front desk.

CONS
Views were not great. They made the doormen wear goofy outfits which didn't diminish their cheerfulness, though. I've heard the rooms above the lobby can sometimes hear lobby noise. Not sure, though.

DC is such a fun place. I hope to get there myself this spring.

Good luck!

Martha

kcr426,
I see that you are new to Fodors. Welcome! I hope you find it as much fun and useful as I have. In future posts, please be more specific in your title, by mentioning city, state or location. Even though you got one quick and helpful reply this time, such is not always the case. This generally helps you get more information and is part of the suggested policy from Fodor's. Please read the post "Hey Fodors Posters New and Old. Thanks and enjoy!
-Bill

Here is a link to the thread that iamq mentioned:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...ses=51&start=0

I agree that a more specific post title will get you much better results. Good luck--I hope you get the answers you are looking for, and have a great trip!

I used to work at the JW Marriott so I am partial to it... It is a great hotel in an ideal location. They renovated all of the guest rooms about 2 years ago so they are in great shape. You can walk to the Mall, White House and tons of restaurants (highly recommend Occidental Grill, Red Sage & Ten Penh). There are some shops in the vicinity (Hecht's dept store, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic etc) but for real shopping you need to head to Georgetown. The Omni is too far removed from things in my opinion. I have never been to the Westin so I don't know much about it but, given its location, I also think that it is a tad out of the way.

kcr: Re the locations of hotels in Priceline's Dupont Circle zone -- The Westin at 21st and Mass. is very close to the circle (only 2 blocks, and it is across the street from the Phillips colllection).
The Shoreham is one subway stop north, at the Woodley-Zoo station, in a more wooded residential area. There are quite a few restaurants close to the Shoreham on Conn. Ave and the lively Adams Morgan area is about a 10 minute walk.

I can't fathom how the Omni or Westin would be considered "out of the way" since they are in two of DC's liveliest and most active neighborhoods. Either is a fine hotel in a great neighborhood with easy Metro access.

Well, with the Omni, the only sites within a few blocks are the zoo and a few restaurants. I consider that out of the way. But, I looked up the Westin and saw that it is 2 blocks from Dupont circle. I originally thought that it was further up Mass Ave. All three hotels are in completely different neighborhoods so it depends on what type of atmosphere kcr426 is looking for...

i Well, with the Omni, the only sites within a few blocks are the zoo and a few restaurants.

Given there are probably 20 restaurants within 4 blocks of the Omni and an easy walk to Adams Morgan, I'm not sure I would consider that isolated but I understand that point.

The JW Marriott, while in a rapidly improving neighborhood because of its proximity to the Penn Quarter, can seem pretty isolated because it is a few blocks from significant nighlife and sidewalk traffic during the evening.

I thank all of you so much for your thoughts. We've never been to DC, so the specific info regarding location is incredibly helpful (and the restaurants too, I'm pregnant and hungry, and will certainly make good use of the metro). I haven't made a final decision, but I will post when I return. Thanks again!

You've gotten good advice so far, but I figure I'd add my 2 cents... the Westin is a lovely, historic hotel (used to be home of the Jockey Club and Al Gore's childhood home). It's small and beautiful and a very quick walk to the metro and tons of Dupont restaurants and nightlife. I got married there, so I'm a little biased, but all my out of town guests stayed there and everyone loved the hotel and the location.

Omni Shoreham is very nice as well, much bigger and gets a lot of convention-goers. Lots of restaurants in the area, although not many great ones, and very close to the metro, but you're a little farther away from any of the main sights (though just a couple minutes farther by metro). And Adams Morgan is a 10 minute walk and has lots of fun bars, shops and restaurants.

If your main goal is sightseeing, downtown would be closer to White House, museums, etc. and there are some very good hotels and restaurants, but in the evenings it would not be as lively.

Both the Westin and Omni Shoreham are good hotels in great locations. They aren't out of the way at all. No tourist sites are in particular walking distance of Dupont Circle, either, so what's the difference that the Omni is one stop further north. I consider that a more convenient location than the JW Marriott as the neighborhood is more pleasant and it's a short walk to Adams Morgan which doesn't have a subway stop. There are plenty of restaurants there for easy dining and the metro stop is within a block of the hotel.

Try the Jury's Hotel in (ON) Dupont Circle. I believe it is less than $150 and the location is great.

My husband just stayed at the JW Marriott on a business trip and said it was really nice. Everything in good condition and he ate most of his meals there and said the food was good too.

To stay at a fabulous hotel, just out of the downtown chaos, I recommend the Fairmont Washington (formerly Washington Monarch, ANA and Westin). It's situation just over the bridge from Georgetown and only a few blocks from the GW/Foggy Bottom Metro.
I'm partial because I used to work there and still friendly with the staff.
It's a gorgeous hotel with a fabulous location!