Pity about the Palomar. They do have specials - I paid $199 in April. Hope you find the perfect spot.

Would like the Hotel Dupont but rates average $400 per night during our stay. I can't bring myself to pay double over the Omni. We will consider the Hotel Rouge however. A quick price check shows it is not much more than the Omni so we will explore it. Thanks.

Bardo, the Tabard may not be our cup of tea. I have a knee that doesn't like stairs so we often have to skip historic hotels and b&bs. Love the decor though.

Scootoir, I know of the Lombardy because it is near my work three blocks from the White House. The location is great and at least twenty-five restuarants are within five minutes walk.

We often stay at the George Washington University Inn. It's a lovely location on a quiet street and just a few blocks from the metro. The rooms are large and we just got reservations for next week for an AAA rate of $143 for 2 double beds.

Hi theatrelover,
I tried the GWUI's website and the best rate I can see is $274 for a King bedded room for our dates in October. It won't accept aaa as a code but perhaps I am missing a step or something. Of course it may just be more expensive in the fall.

You could try giving them a call and see what the AAA rate is. Of course, depending on the dates (for example, around holiday weekends) rates might differ but it might be worth a phone call. I did not find the $143 rate online.

My guess is that the late August price reflects much lower demand for that time--October is popular with tourists, and it is prime time for business and convention visitors.

The advice I offered over a week ago

Try looking on Expedia for the Kimpton hotels. Then call Kimpton and ask them to match the Expedia price. There are a few near Dupont Circle. I stayed at the Palomar but that is at the top end of their range. Then join their In Touch program and you get free Wifi and $10 in snacks from the minibar.

Sorry mlgb, I didn't mention that I tried such a search and the best rate for a Kimpton was $259 a night in Alexandria. Hotels closer in were about $300. So far we're sticking with the Omni.

Not sure if the Carlyle Suites are still in the running or not, but just in case it is of any help ... my girls and I stayed there last October for a week. Not cheap, but a nice splurge. It was a lovely walk to and from the metro. Night- time walking was fine, too. very nice 2 lane streets. Embassies. Trees. Enough foot traffic to feel comfortable. the grocery store was near by, which worked well as we had breakfasts and some dinners in our room. The kitchenette had a fridge, sink, toaster, microwave, new-style coffee maker, a stove, dishes a a few cooking things. We had a corner room on the top floor. (I had read that top floor or front or back rooms were best Not lower rooms on the side). Could even see the Washington Monument faaaar away. The beds were very comfortable. The staff were very nice and polite. The security is good. There is a washer and dryer downstairs. So if you end up with a good rate there, you should be fine.

Hi Suz,

I like the location and look of the Carlyle but it's about $100 per night more than the Omni. The thrifty side of me is having trouble letting go of the Omni rate.

I think you may have just missed the sale on Kimpton hotels, as I don't see those good rates for October any more.

Stick with the Omni --- it is a grand old hotel in a lovely park setting, within a few blocks of Metro and at least dozen restaurants for your dinners (one, New Heights, is fine dining; the others are moderate locally owned neighborhod places, no chains).

I agree with kayd. U'll be fine at the Omni. I got sent specials from Kimpton recently but the rates were only good thru early September.

Thanks kayd & yestravel. I'll still keep an eye open for special rates but I think we have our hotel for our week in Washington. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Fodorites are the best.

Some of the rooms at the Omni can be pretty dinky. But it is very close to a Metro. The rooms in the main part of the hotel are older but roomier. So make sure where your room is.

Thanks Sher. I planned to call them tomorrow to ask for a room on a higher floor so we can sleep with the window open and not hear street noise or people coming and going. I'll ask for the main area as well.

Where the hotel is located I don't think you will really have any problem with street noise.
I do think, however, to be sure that it is away from the ballroom area. IF I remember correctly we stayed there once and it was noisy because we were above that section of the hotel. But that may have changed.
Some of the newer rooms are really far from the reception area.

We go to DC every Spring for a conference my husband attends which is held there. We stay in the area because the Metro is very close and I feel very safe around there. There is always a lot going on just a block away.

Sher, I haven't called yet, plan to tomorrow so the ballroom info was helpful. We're really looking forward to the trip.

How do you feel about a bed & breakfast? I have stayed at the Woodley Park Guest House in Woodley Park twice. You can see the Metro stop from the front porch. They have 25 rooms so it is more like a boutique hotel. The price should fit your budget. They serve a nice cold breakfast in the morning with fresh pastry etc. The neighborhood has many ethnic restaurants and shops. It is also about 2 blocks from the zoo. They also have another location that is a bit more pricey. Checkout their website. This was a Fodor recommendation the first time I went.

I beleive that the Omni is across the street and the walk to the Metro is about a block but it would be uphill to the hotel.