I posted this earlier but probably wasn't specific enough in the Headline. We are planning an April family trip to DC with Mom, Dad, 8 year-old daughter and 85 year-old Grandma (who is very mobile).

We need suggestions for a family type hotel that would be in a good location for seeing the sights in DC but won't be too expensive. We are thinking something like a Hampton Inn. What part of town should we look in? Your expertise will be appreciated.

Hi AisleSeat -- I like the aisle too!

It is very tough to find good deals in DC. And you save so little by staying outside the downtown or mall area. All the travel, and the hotels are really better in town. The Metro will help you get around though so you could stay anywhere and still be within subway distance to the sights. I suggest you check out some of the following and see what the best rate you can find is. I've been amazed at some of the hotel deals in DC, while at other times I was sadly disappointed. Maybe it has to do with what's going on in DC.

Anyway, here's a few to try.

The holiday inn Capitol Hill/Smithsonian is a good choice, if you can get it at a good price. It has a pool on the roof.
http://www.holidayinncapitol.com

Also the Capital Hill Suites, good location.

The Marriot downtown, the Wyndham downtown.

In Dupont Circle, the Radisson Barcello. And Drurys.

Hope that's been helpful.

If you are thinking Hampton Inn, check out the Four Points (by Sheraton) hotel downtown. You will still need to cab it a short way (not expensive in D.C) to the main sites, or you can walk it to the Mall if you feel up to the 20-30 min. walk. Reasonable rates- I just checked for another poster and it was $149 a night. Hotel is like 4 yrs old or so. I have put people up there- it's a nice place, better than any Hampton Inn-type location you will find downtown. One suggestion- do not plan on walking to dinner afte rdark- not because it is an unsafe area but becasue it is more than a few blocks to the restaurant area. You can walk to the end of "metro center" downtown and Chinatown and the trendy restaurants in those places from the hotel if you are up to it- but I'd probably cab it as it is cheap fare.
And a BIG kudos to your 85 yr old grandma!!! I hope that is me at 85!!

We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn on Franklin (?). Nice, clean hotel. We could walk to everything and there was a metro stop about a block away. I believe it cost us around 140 per night.(last year)

Thanks for your suggestions. I will check these out.