My daughter and I are visiting DC area colleges for two days. We want to spend the night near GWU where we will start our second day. We will also be visiting Holocaust Museum at end of our first day.

What would you suggest between $150-$200?

Thanks,

Brian

Brian, I stayed at the Wyndham City Center last year. 2-3 blocks from GWU and they were running a special of $99. The hotel isn't luxurious but it seems to be well-run (as are most Wyndhams).

Washington Suites on Pennsylvania and 25th.

And I think there's an Embassy Suites on 24th? (not sure of it's exact location).

Whatever you do, completely avoid the Allen Lee Hotel. I've seen messages on this board asking about it. Nasty place.

My two cents on area schools (surroundings and atmosphere--she find out about the academic side easily): I went to GWU, my sister to G'town, and several of my roommates to AU. If your daughter wants the traditional campus life/lots of school spirit surrounding sporting events, GW is not for her. I loved it in part because life didn't center on football games. And if your daughter is very independent, it would be a great place for her--no one holds your hand there. Gee-Dub is pretty diverse, and you get a great cross-section of races and people from different countries.

G'town is much prettier to look at, and they have more to get excited about on the b'ball scene. Definitely more school spirit than GW. It's more campusy, although it's not a huge campus. It's also not very diverse.

AU suffers a bit from an inferiority complex. Nice campus, but a bit removed from the rest of the city. Don't know as much about AU.

Not commenting on Catholic, Howard and Maryland, as I'm not familiar with them.

I just stayed at the St James Suites near GWU two weeks ago for $129/night. Loved it and the location, about a block away from the foggy bottom metrto station. Also liked the suite set up a lot and it had a full kitchen. I think I got the rate through travelocity.com.

We've also stayed at St. James Suites and think it's a great value if you can get a reservation. Super location, near campus & Foggy Bottom metro, Georgetown, restaurants, everything. Try (I think!) Hotel Reservation Network for prices -- sorry, can't find the website address . . . If you have any free time, try to work in a visit to one of my favorite lesser-known DC sites - Hillwood, the estate that belonged to Marjorie Merriwether Post. It's reopened after a 3-year restoration and should be gorgeous. Reservations are required; they only take a certain number of visitors each day and 'sell out' quickly - website is hillwoodmuseum.com.