First trip to DC and will stay a full week. We are looking for a friendly, clean, a bit upscale hotel (its our honeymoon). Have checked out this forum, AAA, Fodors, and web sites for the best rates and area. We'd like to stay where there is nightlife but don't want it too noisy. People have mentioned Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan and Georgetown for this. I was looking at the Hilton hotels. What about the Franklin Sq Garden Inn? Rate is good; how's the location?
Obviously there are lots to choose from and we'd like to have a good restaurant in the hotel for breakfast, dinner on occasion. Any thoughts on Embassy Suites on M Street? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Susan, we were in DC back in 96-stayed at the JW Marriott. Really really nice. Don't remember the price. We were on the 11th floor facing I think Pa. Ave. It was a 2 block walk to the White house.About 2 blocks over to the mall. It was spotless and well located.
We only stayed a weekend but had a great time.

Thanks Donna. I've read much about the JW Marriott and others have said Marriott has a good reputation. So we'll check it out. thanks again.

Susan - The Marriott is a good choice - nice hotel and good location about 13th and Pa. Avenue, about two blocks from the Mall and the White House. You are close to Federal Triangle and Metro Center subway stops. Dupont Circle is okay (on the red line so you can reach places of interest), but Adams Morgan is a bit out of the way, as is the M Street NW area near Georgetown. Suggest you invest in a Zagats - look for the best price bets. Also access Washingtonian Magazine's best 100 for price.

Thanks L. That's good info. I have Fodors and AAA books and are using them too. Someone else mentioned the Marriott (the JW one right?) that sits on top of a Metro stop. I'll check that out. Thanks for the info on Dupont C and Adams. Other postings have raved about Dupont as a hustle/bustle place and said the Mall area an night is quiet. Is that true. My understanding of 'quiet' is not much activity/nightlife; we'd need to go somewhere for that. Is that true? There seems to be enough restaurants around the Marriott for eve dining. True? Thanks again.

Susan - In answer to your questions. Yes, the Mall is deserted at night, except around the Vietnam Wall. Suggest you see the Mall during daylight only. Yes, Dupont Circle is hustle/bustle at night, from 18th Street and Mass. Ave. down to P Street and 23rd. Also a few blocks up and down Ct. Ave. starting at the Circle itself. Many restaurants in this area ... P Street, Ct. Avenue. The Circle is a hangout for some interesting chracters .. but reasonably safe. But don't use the underground at the Circle .. you'll see the entrance. A no-no. I am not sure about the JW Marriott being on top of a Metro entrance .. and if it is, that would have to be Metro Center. Perhaps your information is correct - that station has at least 3-4 entrances. If you look at a DC Access Guide, you can locate the restaurants around the Marriott ... there are a lot of very nice ones, including places in a new area of development north on 7th Street from Pa. Avenue up to Chinatown at H Street NW - such as Jaleo, Atlantic Cafe, Coco Loco, Chop House and chinese restaurants on H near 7th. There are also restaurants on Pa. Ave. and up on K Street, a few blocks north of where you'll be staying. If you like Vietnamese food, look at the Orange line out to Clarendon Station in Va. - there are several nice restaurants across the street from the subway entrance. You can forget restaurants on Capitol Hill, except for a few places on Pa. Ave SE from 1st to 4th Streets (use Capitol South Metro station). But if I were you, for restaurants I'd stay downtown in the NW area near the Marriott or up at Dupont Circle for restaurants. If you want to venture up to Adams-Morgan, use a taxi. There are numerous places on 18th Street one block from Columbia Rd., but parking is a real problem there. Suggest you stay out of the NE area and the far NW areas, and foerget SW .. there is little of interest over there. If you're interested in Georgetown, stay on M Street from 28th to 33rd, and a few blocks up Wisconsin from M Street. Have fun in DC.

There really aren't any hotels that I know of in Adams Morgan. And most of the hotels I'd recommend aren't right next to any nightlife. But D.C.'s an easy city to get around. The JW Marriott's a good idea. Also try the Willard and The Four Seasons (in Georgetown).

The Willard is very near the Marriott - about 15th and Pa. Avenue. Four Seasons is at the foot of Georgetown, about 28th and M (perhaps 10 minutes walk to Foggy Bottom subway station). By the way, the Four Seasons has a neat bar area for some late night champagne .. keep your eyes peeled for film stars. If you do stay at Four Seasons, Citronelle restaurant (Michelle Richard) is two blocks away, and La Chaumiere, an old-style french brasserie, is directly across M Street. A suggestion: for dancing, try the Melrose Hotel lobby on a Friday night until 11 p.m. - small dance band and wine by the glass. About 23rd and M. And nearby, Bistro restaurant (very nice food, reasonable prices, good wine by the glass) - near 22nd and M Street. And not too far from there, Asia Nora, a superb place for fusion dining. Just superb. There, I've told you some of my secrets ... have fun. Ciao.

Another hotel that was recommended to me by a local (I had similar criteria as you) was the Westin Fairfax hotel. It's suppose to be nice and in an excellent location. I'll see for myself next month!

Somebody on this thread said, "Don't use the underground at the Circle." Does this mean that it's not a safe place to get on the metro? Any other opinions on this? Thanks.