minuteman1970

I got a great deal on a two-night stay at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. The wife & I will be leaving tomorrow, driving down from NY. It turns out that the hotel charges $41 per day for valet parking, and does not even offer complementary breakfast or internet access.

I looking for suggestions as to a cheaper place to leave the car for two days, and don't even mind walking a bit. Also, looking for suggestions for resonably priced restaurants in that area.
Thanks in advance!

Ruff

I assume you mean the Hyatt on New Jersey Avenue. Your best bet for parking is at Union Station. They have plenty of overnight parking. You can then walk to and from the hotel. I don't know what the price is, but it has to be less than $41/day!

minuteman1970

Thanks for the tip. We'll be at the Hyatt on New Jersey Ave. I called the Union Station parking info line, and their price is $18 per day. Still a bit pricey, but much cheaper than the hotel.

In an effort to cut down on parking costs further, I am toying with the idea of finding a Metro parking lot, then taking a bus or subway from there as close as I can get to the hotel.
Any thoughts?

MikeT

You could park at Greenbelt or New Carrolton, but then you have the hassle of getting you and your luggage to the hotel. I'd avoid the hassle and park at Union Station (actually, I'd park at the hotel, but Union Station isn't so bad).

Ruff

Just be aware that only a few Metro parking lots allow overnight parking. Here is an excerpt from the WMATA Web site:

Multiple day parking is available at three stations: Greenbelt, Huntington and Franconia-Springfield. Each of these stations has between 15 and 17 spaces allocated for multi-day use of up to 10 days, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

These spaces, located inside the regular facilities and not at the metered (kiss and ride) spaces are at:

1. Level 1J at Franconia station
2. The South Lot at Huntington station (This is the lot, not the garage off N. Kings Hwy)
3. Cherrywood Lane side at Greenbelt station

Dukey

You and I both know that $41 a day is a hell of a lot cheaper than you'd pay at a hotel in Manhattan but I would agree with parking at Union Station if you want to save some money.

It is an easy walk from the hotel.

beanweb24

My favorite parking lot in the city is at UDC (University of District of Colubmia) on Connecticut Ave. It's right at the red line (Van Ness/UDC stop) and is $8 for all day in/out parking privileges.

I'm not sure if you can park there overnight - you should contact UDC to be sure.

Personally, I'd just park at Union Station. Your time is worth the extra $10/day.

nicegirl512

I agree that you should park at Union Station. It's probably the best compromise.

As to metro parking lots, I parked in the multi-day spots in Huntington on occasion when I lived there and had no problems, but I don't remember if I needed to get there in the AM to beat the commuters. The spots are far distant from the station. Coming from NY Greenbelt will probably be the closest station to drive to.

If you live in NYC you could consider taking a chinatown bus to DC. It's $35 RT if you buy online and the buses are fairly modern and nice.

However, you're probably off already and my opinion is coming too late to be any good anyway!

Christina

$18 a day isn't bad for a major metropolitan city, what do you expect? This isn't some rural area, you know, space is very expensive and at a premium. If you think that's too expensive, you're being unrealistic and you obviously don't value your time at all if you would seriously consider parking in a metro lot and taking a bus or subway (which aren't free) to and from your hotel to save a couple dollars.

minuteman1970

All,
Thanks for all of your great feedback. We just came home from a great trip to DC. I did not have internet access, but was able to read the first few of your replies prior to leaving on 8/27. We ended up leaving the car at Union Station, for $18. I did not realize how much of a hassle it would be leaving it on the outskirts of DC, so the $18 was a decent compromise. Union Station was within 5 minutes walking distance to our Hotel, so I was able to check on the car a few times.

I was unaware of $35 bus trips to DC from NYC's Chinatown, but will keep it in mind next time around.

nicegirl512

Glad you had a nice trip! You can find info on the Chinatown buses here http://www.chinatown-bus.com/. I took the Dragon Express but they are all the same, from what I understand. Some people are reluctant to take buses, but if that doesn't bother you it's really a steal. I *think* it costs less than the tolls to drive to/from NYC, much less gas, takes about the same amount of time, and means no parking issues. Of course the train is the nicest way to travel, but it's gotten to be $200 RT these days. Yikes!