Hello. I am attending a conference next month in DC and haven't yet booked a room. I know that I am making my plans late, but wonder if anyone could suggest a hotel to me. I will have meetings at the convention center but would be happy to stay farther out -- at someplace restfull and interesting. I will have my two sons with me and they would love to have a nice pool, etc. I would be grateful for any recommendations. I enjoy nice hotels at about the four or five star level. Thank you so much. Betsy

We stayed at the Renaissance Marriott which is located at the Convention Center. It was very nice and conveniently located to the Metro, great restaurants, and on the Circulator bus route.

Thanks so much for the suggestion. I was also just looking at the Hotel Mandarin. Can anyone tell me about either of these hotels? I would like a hotel with a spa, if at all possible - and an outside pool. Many thanks. Betsy

Here is the Metro map. It will be of great help if plan to use the Metro and public transportation. How old are your sons? If they are old enough to travel around on their own the Cirulator busses would be great for them. They take passengers to and around the Mall.

http://www.stationmasters.com/System...ystem_map.html

http://www.dccirculator.com/

Thanks so much for the maps. They will be a big help to me. My sons are young -- eight and twelve. The conference I will be attending has a great camp for children, so they will be happily busy and taken on various field trips. I think I will stay at the Hotel Mandarin. It is close to sights and restaurants. I am still open, however, to other suggestions. Thanks again for all of your help. Betsy

Well, the Hotel Mandarin really isn't close to much of anything. I don't know if they have a pool, but a hotel in a similar category is the Four Seasons at the edge of Georgetown. And it is in a much better location.

Thanks for the information about the Mandarin. Since it turns out that the Mandarin isn't close to much of anything, I will cancel my reservation. I was misinformed! Thank you, Ruff, for your note. I will see what the possibilities are at the Four Seasons.

Hello, again. The Four Seasons is a bit more pricy than I am up for -- does anyone know anything about the Hotel Palomar. I see from the map that it is across town from the convention center, but it looks appealing. It has a pool, spa services, and some nice restaurant options. Since I haven't been there, however, I am not sure. Ideally, I would probably be better off a bit closer to the convention center. Thanks. Betsy

The Hotel Palomar happens to be on THE best block in DC for restaurants. The neighborhood itself is very good as well. There is shopping, movies, etc. nearby and the Phillips Collection is right around the corner. Everything in the The hotel is brand new as it underwent a complete renovation last year. The Dupont circle metro is very close. All in all - highly recommended. Th

If Bardo says it, Betsy, you can take it to the bank! He has helped me so much with travel to DC.

The Palomar is a good choice. Also nearby--just in case--is the Jury's Dupont Circle, which is also good.

Hello, Everyone! I have now made a reservation at the Palomar and feel so grateful for all of your input. It is so hard to make a good decision without good information -- and you have given me the best. Thank you so much. I have my sons registered for the conference "kids camp" and am now starting to make some dinner reservations. The Urbana at the Palomar looks like a good choice for our first night in DC. We will be there for six days -- four of which will be conference days for me. Betsy

Some other good dining options (I have not checked out the brand new Urbana) for your first (or 2nd, 3rd, 4th) dinner in DC - all of these are located on the same block as your hotel! -

http://www.altiramisu.com/ (Italian)

Montsouris (French)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...file&id=800493

Pesce (seafood)
http://www.pescebistro.com/

Obelisk (fancy Italian)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...file&id=792579

http://www.mimisdc.com/ (American)

Pizzaria Paradiso (guess)
http://www.eatyourpizza.com/

Bardo, Many thanks for these wonderful recommendations. I now have a fabulous -- and informative -- guide to dining in DC. Thanks so much for all of your input and suggestions. Betsy

Betsy,

My pleasure.

BTW, if you are planning on going to Obelisk, then you need to reserve like right now...

Though I went to this restaurant once and wouldn't go back because of the singing waiters, your kids might get a kick out of it: Mimi's. And it is right near your hotel, too.

Hello. I now have some nice dinner reservations. I have a reservation at Mimi's. Thank you for the suggestion, Ruff. I think it will be fun for my sons. I also have a reservation at Obelisk, thanks to Bardo's recommendation that I book it now. I haven't made reservations for our other nights, yet, but will do so before the end of the month. I am so happy that I have had your input on this trip. Best, Betsy

I don't consider Mimi's or Obelisk being terribly kid friendly, so you might want to think of having your other dinners at less "you need a reservation" kind of places and instead something more relaxed.

Mike, it depends on their ages and personalities.

I consider Mimi's to kid friendly all around, especially in the menu department. As for Obelisk, if the sons are well mannered teens with exposure to fine dining, then it will be fine. I would not bring any children under 12 to Obelisk but then I don't know these children.

I think we essentially agree. I'm not sure many 8 and 12 years olds would be than entranced listening to show tunes, but I agree the food is accessible.

My point was that after two nights of "adult" dining, she should consider more kid friendly and relaxed places.