We are going to Washington in March. 12-15 to be exact. We want to stay in nice 4 or 5 star hotel. Preferably under 200 if possible. I am having trouble finding good deals. Willard is nice but exspensive and so is fairmont and and many others. hotel george is only 169 but I am hearing shaky comments about it. Any suggestions? Closer to the mall the better but as long as metro is easy and covienent to catch its fine.
Matt

A lot of the hotels in the Dupont Circle area are likely to show up as either booked or offering only higher rates during that time because it is during the National League of Cities annual conference. In addition, trying for "a nice 4 or 5 star" for under $200 a night is asking a lot in Washington DC on many dates, outside of Priceline.

A couple of sites to try:

www.quikbook.com

and

http://www.180096hotel.com/index.html

In the past we have found a great way to comparison shop and get good deals was to check out washingtondchotels.com - lists hotels, prices, amenities, etc.

However, when I just checked that site and entered your dates they were unable to accept 2005 dates - kept saying "entered dates in past" since only choices were 2003 and 2004. Still might be way to check out hotels and then you might email or call them so they let you enter real dates.

Last time we were in DC stayed at hotel (washington suites georgetown - does not meet you criteria, though) and got a rate almost 20% cheaper on this site than we were able to find any other way for that particular hotel.

The Hotel George is actually quite nice and 1 block to Union Station Metro. Hotel George is also highly rated on www.tripadvisor.com

Another option would be to contact the Hotel Sofitel (close to White House and metro) and see if they have something under $200. The Sofitel is also very nice.

A well located 4 or 5 star for under $400/night is rare but not impossible - best of luck.

Thanks for your replies. D.C. is exspensive I have calm to notice. I found several hotels 250-350 but thats a lot for us since we dont want to spend a lot because we are going on a cruise and to europe and dc all in a period of 6 months. Any more suggestions>? Any more george comments?
Matt

Try Priceline, I got the 4* Westin in Du Pont Circle for $85 recently, it was a busy weekend so I thought it was a great deal.

I spent the other two nights out in Crystal City, not as convenient as DuPont Circle but the metro is right there. There are several hotels that are just a minute walk from the metro, I think the Marriott was one of them.

First, you have to udnerstand that there is no specific definition of a 4* or 5* hotel; every rating system uses their own criteria, whether it's AAA,Mbil, Priceline, Hotwire, etc. A hotel could be 3* for one of them and 4* for another.

You can easily get a fine hotel ether 3* or 4* on Priceline for under $100. Read up at www.biddingfortravel.com to learn about PL rules, strategies, and which hotels in DC you might win in the various PL zones.

We sorta prefer to not use priceline so we know what were getting. Any more comments on Hotel George or other hotels in area to stay at. Priceline is cool but this trip we sorta want to know were we are.
Matt

Again, try Priceline. Make sure to read info at biddingfortravel.com first. Good luck!

In addition to George and Sofitel, look also at Topaz and Tabard Inn.

I think you need to lower your expectation. Spring is a busy time in DC, especially with a major conference in town and the Cherry Blossoms on the way. If you aren't willing to consider Priceline and need more control, then either raise the amount you are willing to spend or lower your expectations on the quality of a room you can get.

We are probably going to try priceline. Is it better you think you to bid now rather then later. I also have visted biddingfortravel.com Use that before and love it. Thanks for the help.
Matt

I used priceline every year to get a room in DC for a couple of days around my birthday (we lived in the suburbs) and always got a very nice hotel. Don't choose below 4* and you'll be fine. Usually ended up with one of the Hiltons, but got the Melrose for $55 last time (this was in February, though). Rooms are very nice, and it's really close to the Foggy Bottom metro, and not far from Georgetown.

Just checked the Melrose for your dates: $194 the first night and $244 the other nights.

Actually, you'll be OK bidding on a 3* in the convention center/Capitol Hill zone ,where there are only 3 hotels listed in BFT; all are just fine. BUT I'd avoid bidding on a 3* in the White House zone; there are quite a lot of them, some in inconvenient locations and others that are too trendy (i.e., tiny rooms) or otherwise quirky.

Thanks guys. Again I think of bidding either for 4 Star White House/Downtown Area which would include these hotels:
JW Marriott
The Madison
Willard Intercontiental
Capital Hilton
Rennesiance Mayflower

or

Georgetown/Foggybottom
Westin Grand
Park Hyatt
Melrose Hotel

Matt

Matt, one that you might want to take a look at for those dates is the Hamilton Crowne Plaza:

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/...wasks?irs=null

Looks like it's available in your range (but you'd have to pre-pay to get it at the lowest rates with no changes/cancellations). It's convenient to McPherson Square metro station, etc.

I would try Georgetown/Foggy Bottom as my first choice.

I would stay away from Georgetown area -- there's no Metro/subway stop there, which makes getting around expensive if you have to take cabs. My biggest advice would be to avoid staying in Virginia. There's a hotel next to my office building called The Concordia that has a really lovely restaurant. It's on M Street near 20th--great location. A colleague is coming in from the U.K. and is staying there.

Concordia Hotel
1250 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: +1-202-557-2000
Fax: +1-202-557-2228

Another place I'd highly recommend is The Henley Park Hotel. It's very cute, small and not expensive. The reviews are mixed on trip advisor, but i've put clients up there and they loved it. It's near Chinatown, great restaurants, close to the Metro ...

You can walk to Georgetown from both Foggy Bottom and Rosslyn metro stations (FB is closer). And the Georgetown hotels on priceline are fairly close to the FB metro stop.