Hi - I am traveling with a senior via Amtrak. I would like a hotel close to the train station or not too far from a subway stop. We want an area that we could walk to restaurants at night. But not too far for me to be lugging suitcases so need a nice hotel by train or subway. Thanks.

I don't think that is a particularly good area for walking to restaurants. I have stayed at the Phoenix Park, which isn't very far away and remember something of a hike to eat.

Taxis are not very expensive in Washington, and you should not be afraid of taking one to a hotel that is conveniently located. For easy walking to restaurants and the Metro, Dupont Circle is frequently recommended (because it is a good location).

I agree. A taxi from Union Station to downtown or Dupont areas is very inexpensive. There are lots of good hotel options in better areas. I would suggest Hotel Monaco - a two minute taxi ridecfrom Union Station and steps away from the Gallery Place Metro station.

If you want to you can always stay at the Hyatt which is within sight of Union Station

The Hyatt Regency isn't that close IMO, but I guess that's relative. I don't think you can see the station from that one, I've been there and it's about 3-4 blocks away and kind of downhill a bit (and not on a street leading to the station) so I don't see how you could see it from there, but perhaps I'm forgetting. There are lots of buildings in the way. The Phoenix Park hotel is closest, then Hotel George.

But I think the plan is wrong, as there is a metro stop right in Union Station and you can get hotels closer to a metro stop than the closest hotels to the train station. And there will be better dining options near them. You aren't going to want to walk from the closest hotels to the Union Station metro stop every day, either, I bet. Phoenix Park is very close, but it's a pretty busy area around there with all the traffic.

bardo1 mentioned Hotel Monaco. The Kimpton hotels have a 'Ride the Rails' discount if you are arriving in DC by Amtrak. Most of them are a short walk from a Metro stop, if you follow Christina's advice.