hotel and suggestions with 2 teenage daughters for the weekend
 

any recommendations for hotel (and do I need a rental car) for weekend want to see the white house and smithsonian. we'd like to spend a day at Georgetown and see the school. Any other must sees for just a few days.restaurant and hotel recommendation? location is key.

First of all, you don't want or need a rental car for Washington, D.C. Parking is limited and public transportation is great.
I would suggest you find a place near a Metro stop so you can take the subway wherever you want to go. However, there are no Metro stops in Georgetown, so you'd either have to take a bus, taxi or walk there.
You might want to look at some of the hotels in the Rosslyn section of Arlington, Virginia because there is a Metro stop there (Rosslyn Station) and because you could walk to Georgetown (via Key Bridge).

You will get many more responses if you include DC in your title as well.

Why on earth would you need a car to go a few blocks within a major city? YOu should never drive a car as a tourist in DC if you only want to stay in the city. It is very bad for local pollution and traffic congestion. There are lots of places you could stay -- near Foggy Bottom metro might be a good compromise. I think there is one of those suite hotels near it (or a couple) and that would be good for three.

I suggest the <b>Hotel Palomar</b>.

It is in a great location: a few blocks from the Dupont Metro station and has dozens of great restaurants within blocks of the hotel (the best of which are on the very same block).

Georgetown University is a VERY quick taxi ride away from the hotel (1.5 miles).

http://www.hotelpalomar-dc.com/

and I would add hotel helix, which is funky and fun for teenagers and centrally located.

http://www.hotelhelix.com/

In addition to seeing the White House and Smithsonian museums, we really enjoyed touring the Capitol and going to Arlington National Cemetery. Also walked around to see all the monuments and memorials. I would not rent a car.

A car is useless in DC - there's never anyplace to park it. And the Metro goes almost everywhere. Or you could cab around all day for what a rental car would cost.

The suggestion to stay in Rosslyn and walk across the Key Bridge to Georgetown is a good one. Hotels are cheaper in Virginia, and there is a metro stop at Rosslyn that runs directly to the Mall (Smithsonian stop).

I assume by &quot;the school&quot; you mean Georgetown University; it's a bit up from the main shopping district most people think of as &quot;Georgetown&quot; but if you are fine with a bit of of walking you won't need a cab. If you're footsore or have mobility issues I'd recommend taking a cab up to the University, and then walking down through the commercial district. I've been on campus for various events and unless one of your daughters is considering attending I'm not sure you'll be happy allocating your time for a visit. It's beautiful but *huge.*

The Circulator Bus is an excellent way to get to Georgetown from within the District; it is $1 (or you can buy a $3 day pass at the fare machines at some of the stops). There is also a Circulator route along the Mall. These are intended as tourist and commuter buses so they are all very nice and very clean. http://www.dccirculator.com/