Just to add to my post above. Places in the neighborhood were open late. I would spend the day sightseeing via the Metro and come back later in the evening and have a reasonably priced dinner and walk back to the Guest house.

Gardendiva, these inns do look like our kind of places unfortunately they are booked for the week we are visiting. The prices were better than what we are paying since breakfast is included. I did find some restaurants that we might try on their website. Thank you for the suggestion.

L'Enfant Plaza Hotel is situated directly above a metro station, and other forms of public transportation are available right outside the front door. It's also within walking distance of many sites. The rate is much lower than the 250 you mentioned; though the hotel may not be quite as upscale at those in your message. Hope this helps.

As convenient as L'Enfant Plaza is to the mall, the area is otherwise a little sparse.

Depending on how budget-sensitive your planning is, you might consider looking in the Rosslyn-Clarenden corridor of northern VA - along the Orange metro line. It certainly lacks the character of areas around DuPont Circle or Woodley park, certainly, but it's much more developed than when you were last there, and prices are less than in the District. There's a lively cafe/restaurant scene out Wilson Blvd. esp. around the Courthouse and Clarenden stops. If you're a good walker, you can easily cross Key Bridge from Rosslyn into Georgetown, which is otherwise unserved by the Metro. Several of the major chains have hotels around Rosslyn and Courthouse stops.

If you haven't been there since the Watergate Hotel was there, you'll be astounded at the growth, and particularly around Rosslyn.

Stick with the Omni. It's a fine hotel in a lovely area with tons to do during the day and night. Within easy walking distance: zoo, Adams Morgan, Woodley Park restaurants, Dupont Circle, red line metro. As far as Woodley restaurants go, I highly recommend Open City for breakfast and the Afghan restaurant for lunch. In Dupont Circle I suggest Bistro Du Coin. In Adams Morgan, Meskerem Ethiopian, Perry's (especially the drag queen brunch! -- it's a hoot!), Tryst, and Amsterdam Falafel.

Thanks Circusliz for your confirmation of the Omni and the recommendation for Bistro du Coin. We loved visiting France and French food and will definitely dine here. One question, after reading reviews online it sounds like it maybe noisy. We don't mind that but are meeting friends for dinner one night and want a quiet atmosphere where it's easy to talk. Would we be better off at another restaurant for that dinner?

If you're looking for quiet, then the Bistro is not a good choice. It is indeed VERY lively -- a great atmosphere (especially around french holidays!), but not good for dinner conversation.

If you give me an idea of your price range and preferred cuisine, I can try to recommend some appropriate restaurants.

I would suggest Montmartre. Quiet, calm, excellent food/wine/service/ambiance. It's one block from the Eastern Market Metro stop on the Blue/Orange line.

You'll need to reserve a table.

Eastern Market itself is an area worth checking out - if you want to walk and chat after dinner, consider walking back to the Capitol South Metro to take the Metro back.


http://montmartredc.com/

Update to all of you who helped with suggestions. We are at the Omni and find it very pleasant. We have a large room with a view of the Washington Monument in the distance. The bath is on the small side but for an older hotel to be expected. The walk-in closet and laptop safe more than make up for the bath size. If the desk had a larger mirror it could double as a make-up table. Everything is in good working order and there are plenty of plugs for our needs. Good flat-screen TV, large towels, good bed.

After 2 days in Washington we realize we will not be able to see everything we had on our list. We have ranked the remaining and will try to sort it out.

Thanks everyone,
Scooter

Glad to hear it worked out. Enjoy DC. Definitely good to be flexible

Good to get an updated report on the Omni and happy that its working out for u. Enjoy DC--chilly as it is.

Yestravel,

It was 113 in So Cal the week before our trip so we loved the weather in DC!