Booked a room at the JW Marriott in DC in Jan. but the reviews on Trip Advisor are not good. Also the parking must really be expensive. Is there any other place to park that might be cheaper???

Is tripadviser reliable? Some who use it are off. What did it say?

It said small rooms, not clean, contruction going on, parking $25 to $40 a night, etc. Some of it was really good though. The parking is what I am afraid of!!

Suggest you try the Hyatt near MCI, only ten minites away walking. This is a "grand' so it's a huge cut above. And Metro is next door.

Maybe next time - already booked this room

I used to work at this hotel:
The rooms were all renovated in 2001. The decor has a more "Presidential" feel with navy blues, deep reds, golds etc. Some of the rooms towards 13th St are small. Request a room on the corner of Penn Ave and 14th - you'll have a view of the White House. In the winter you can truly see it because the trees are bare. If you can't get one of these, ask for one along Penn Ave. Parking is very expensive though. It was $25 in 2002 so it could have gone up even higher. But, parking is expensive at most hotels in DC, and I'm sure the Grand Hyatt's is very similar. I think that the JW has one of the best locations of the city and there are tons of great restaurants nearby (Red Sage, Butterfield 9, Ten Penh etc). Let me know if you have any other questions.

It is a great location, and city hotel rooms are generally small; otherwise, I think it's a great hotel and if you take kcapuani's advice about room location, I think you'll be happy. As for parking, yeesh--you may be able to find a garage nearby that's cheaper and offers in/out. Good luck!

It's a great location. There is construction going on all over DC, so avoiding it is going to be a challenge. You will be fine.

I'll second everything E just said: unbeatable location, VERY nice hotel, rooms size average for downtown DC (1.e much smaller than suburban, rural, or highway/airport hotels), and MOST central DC hotels charge $30/day on average for parking.

A great choice, especially if you paid less than $300/night.

Here is one 24 hr garage nearby (not sure about in-and-out priveleges - ask)

$20/day: http://www.pmi-parking.net/garagedet...363&RegionID=1

I wouldn't worry about this. As mentioned, the location can't be beat. It's right across the street from the Willard. Very easy stroll to mall or White House. It's close to the Metro. The Area is getting better dining options all the time. There's also Ceiba and Old Ebbitt's nearby.

If you're downtown, parking is going to be pricey anywhere. My guess is that finding a ramp with in/out privileges is going to be difficult.

Kcapuani
Thanks for the suggestions - any restaurants that a teen might like? Prefers pizza!!! I got the room for $75.00 on priceline so I guess I did well!!

I honestly cannot think of any pizza places nearby. There is a California Pizza Kitchen on Connecticut and a Bertucci's, which are both a short cab ride away. Your teen might also like the Austin Grill. The food is Southwestern and it is located on E St between 7th and 8th. I love the chicken soft tacos with homemade tortillas. repete suggested the Old Ebbitt Grill on 15th St - it is a DC landmark and also a good choice.

If you go to www.washingtonian.com/dining you can search for whatever type of cuisine you would like and in what location.

If your teen is into sports, there's an ESPNZone down the street, plus there's a Hard Rock tucked strangely near Ford's Theatre. Parents ought to get combat pay at both IMHO.

$75 is a great rate. We used it to house some employees during a snowstorm a while back and it was about $250.

I use to work in that area (FBI Bldg) and actually shopped in the adjacent building and from the total outside the room, the place is great! If the January weather is terrible and you want to eat something, there is a food court you can walk to which is in with all the shops.

Regarding reviews, you can look at any place and find negative comments, if there are positive as well, it might be the people with the negatives were very picky and princess/prince-like and more likely post. People love to focus on the negatives in life. By the way, the lobby is so elegant, typical Marriott though.

We were near there last night and there wasn't any evidence of construction. Construction is often found in many areas of DC. The rate you got could probably be found at one of the out by the beltway motels but not too often at the better, downtown hotels.

Red sage is close by - around 14th and G and M & S Grill (McCormick & Schmick's casual grill) is at 13th and F - there's many decent restaurants right in the area.

Enjoy your time in DC

I assume that you're driving to DC but do you plan to drive during your visit? If you're seeing the main tourist sights, you do not want to drive because parking is very difficult. Walk or take metro instead. If you don't need in and out parking privileges, the PMI lot that bardo1 suggested might be less expensive for you. Based on the price you got, I'm also assuming that you are not going to be here during the inauguration, which is a good thing, becasue we experience limosine gridlock then.

If you go up toward Dupont Circle, go to Pizzeria Paradiso - it is said by many to have the best pizza in DC (I love it, and it's in a cute building on the second floor - it's a fun atmosphere.

Karen

We stayed there in 1996 and absolutely loved it. Great location, and we had a view of the Washington Monument. Good breakfast there too. Also, bring your swimsuit, since they do have a fabulous indoor pool.

The only downside was the parking -- not the expense so much (we expected that), but rather the valet kept our rented car outside and didn't put it in the garage when we returned one night, and the car was stolen right out of the valet area!

FYI, that area has improved dramatically since 1996 . . . so I would hope car theft wouldn't be an issue.

Frankly, for THAT location and at only $75 per night you can AFFORD and should USE the hotel's parking!