The biggest problem I see with the Omni is that it's a 1/2 mile from the metro.

The metro stop is right at the corner from the hotel. The hotel is on Calvert at Conn. U walk up to Connecticut Ave, turn left and its right there. I can't imagine its a half a mile...maybe 1/4 mile.

I started thinking I was confused about the Omni and the metro. Per google its 2/10 of a mile to the Woodley Park Metro Red line Stop.

Rural was not a good choice of words. It's a park. And a pretty nice one. Rock Creek Park.

I googled it too and it said 1/2 mile!!

>>

Well, yes, that would be like referring to Central Park West or 5th Avenue above 60th Street as "rural".

The Shoreham hotel sprawls over a vast expanse of land (well, vast for a city hotel) on the edge of Rock Creek Park, so although it is two blocks to Metro from the closest corner of the property, it may be almost a mile to Metro if you measure from a distant wing.

>>Well, yes, that would be like referring to Central Park West or 5th Avenue above 60th Street as "rural".

You're right -- I should have put a smiley face at the end of my post.

I hate to beat a dead horse on this distance thing, but i find it highly unlikely that it's a mile from the furthest point in the hotel. Yes, its a big hotel that backs up to Rock Creek Park, but doubtful that one would walk 3/4 of a mile to get to the entrance of the hotel, 2500 Calvert St NW. which is where I assume google measures from. I have walked it often and its like 5 minutes maybe 10 if u walk slowly. When I first put the address of the hotel in and the Woodley Park metro I got 1/2 mile too. When I looked at the map it was not at the metro stop which is at Woodley & Conn Ave NW. When I put those cross streets in it came out to .2. Enuff from me on this...

Had to check - according to the Omni website, it says the metro is one block from the hotel!

well, there u go, right from the horses mouth, so to speak! I know I said no more from me, no will power! How's the SEAsia trip coming along? Samantah Brown had VN on her show the other night.

Again thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I will look at the Omni's cancel policy and consider grabbing it and keep looking.

jckimba, I appreciate the comment about places not being open in the evening near the mall or capitol. Being a first-time I had not considered that.

Frank, I am so jealous of the Sofitel rate. I would have expected one would pay a higher price during cherry blossom time. I will take another look at their specials.

Checking Kimpton as well. Thanks everyone, I'll keep you posted on our plans.

S.

GeorgeW, you mentioned the Hotel Lombardy which I took a look at today. The price is somewhat higher than the Omni but within our range. What do you like about this hotel?

I stayed at the Palomar, just off Dupont Circle, last year and am happy to recommend it. I was on my first visit to Washington too, and found it very convenient, in a charming neighbourhood, with easy access to some excellent restaurants.
The hotel staff were an example of how good hospitality staff can be.

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

No luck with the Palomar for our dates, tried the Monaco, also a Kimpton hotel but it's more than $400 per night. I think we would have liked the location of the Palomar, not sure about the price. I booked the Omni and with their 3rd night free offer it came out to about $200 per night including the 14.5% tax. Not sure we can best that but I am open.

I'd have been surprised to hear you could get the Palomar or the Monaco for $250 a night. The $250 for the Sofitel in May was a seriously good deal.

If you like Kimptons (I do), try the Rouge on 16th St NW for your dates. It's much more centrally located near Dupont Circle. Not as upscale as the above, but definitely with the Kimpton touches and hospitality.

Not a Kimpton, but did you look at the Dupont Hotel all ready mentionedl? Dupont Circle takes it easily over the Shoreham location.

>>jckimba, I appreciate the comment about places not being open in the evening near the mall or capitol. Being a first-time I had not considered that.

Scootoir,

Did you heck the Tabard Inn near Dupont Circle for your dates (or look at the photos?)? Even the Penthouse Suite is under $250.

http://www.tabardinn.com/rooms/tour/private_bath

check...

Agree that Hotel Rouge and Hotel Dupont would be better locations than Omni. Tabard Inn also is a good location.

>>jckimba, I appreciate the comment about places not being open in the evening near the mall or capitol. Being a first-time I had not considered that.