Spar

We are set (2 adults, no children) to visit the National Museum of the American Indian, but we are thoroughly confused by hotel choices. We want something nice and within walking distance. Any ideas?
Many thanks for your assistance.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

There are 2 Holiday Inns withing walking distance. The Loew's L'Enfant Plaza is walking distance.

The museum is easy walking distance from the Federal Center SW stop of the Metro (turn L at top of escalator) so if you are close to a Metro, you're really close enough ... there's little reason to worry about being close to the museum, as the neighborhood isn't that active at night.

Spar

Thanks. Between the Holiday Inns and the Loew's, which would you select? Also, do you know anything about the Phoenix Park or other hotels nearby the Museum?
Thanks again!

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Actually, I'd stay at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn, where you could board the Blue or Orange Line to take you to the Metro stop I mentionned earlier.

I've not paid a lot of attention to the hotels. I know one HI is a little south of the mall, probably closer to the museum. The other one is north of the amll - maybe on NJ Ave? closer to Union Station - looks newer, and I think has a pool. Union Station (the Smithsonian Postal Museum next door) has a food court with wide variety, access to the Metro, and other restaurants. Loews is right above the L'Enfant Plaza metro station, and I know several families have given it good reviews, but the area is rather dead at night. Easy walk from hotel to Metro tho (indoors).

Sorry I can't be more helpful, as I usually take my own advise about staying close to a Metro - usually out in VA - so I don't pay that much attention to the hotels over in that area.

radiofanatic

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency which is only a block from the capital and a couple of blocks from the American Indian museum - we got it from priceline for $55 and loved it.

Spar

Thanks Radiofanatic. I am looking into the Hyatt Regency, but I have read some very negative reviews (particularly on tripadvisor). Any additional thoughts?
Thanks again!

justme22

phoenix park hotel is a short walk to union station where you can get the metro to anywhere, it is also a long but quite doable walk to the mall. it is considered the capitol hill area. it is a very nice hotel. the rooms are a little small but the decor gives you a bed and breakfast feel. the folks were nice. however, parking is expensive and i suggest you park a block way around the corner under the hall of states. (this is also the cspan bldg) you will save money by self parking. i always leave my car there.

MikeT

I would agree with Rb that there is little reason to stay within walking distance of the museum, although there is a brand new Residence Inn right at the Federal Center SW subway station. If it is important to stay very close to the museum, that would be my choice.

Since you can take public transport to the Mueseum, there are many other options.

I would differ with Rb, however, that Rosslyn is necessarily a better choice since it is only slightly more active at night than the other locations mentioned. It's fine during the day, but rather dismal at night.

HowardR

I can't answer your hotel question, but I can tell you that you're in for a wonderful experience at the musuem. Make sure you view the magnificent sculptures by Hauser.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

My suggestion for Rosslyn area is because the hotel rates (and taxes) are usually much lower, most hotels have free parking, an easy walk to Georgetown, and it's the closest stop outside the district on the Blue & Orange lines. Otherwise, as MikeT points out, the area at night, while quite safe, is dead, dead, dead.

astein12

We did this recently... stayed at the Ren. Mayflower for $85 per night (priceline). Walked the west of the mall the 1st day, ate in Dupont circle, and then went to the Museum of the Am. Indian the second.

We actually found that driving to the museum (it was a Saturday) was quite convenient. Lots of empty on street parking was available.

The cafeteria at the museum is very good.

radiofanatic

Spar, although I know there were bad reviews, i would check the dates on them - this Hyatt just finished a $25 million dollar renovation in October and it was fabulous when we went - absolutely no complaints. And another friend of mine went there over Memorial Day weekend and loved it too.

bardo1

Spar,

Between the two Holiday Inn's - my choice would be Holiday Inn on the Hill. The north side of the Mall is infinitely more interesting than the south side of the Mall and is a better option for DC hotels.

As for staying in Virginia. Yes, it's cheaper and should be considered if cost is the over-riding factor driving your decision. However, DC is more interesting than VA, IMO. I suppose there are people who stay in New Jersey when visiting Manhatten since it's also "right across the river" and also served by the subway but you really lose some of the NYC "experience" when counting pennies in that manner. The DC-VA situation is analogous.

dan_woodlief

I just returned from a stay in Rosslyn. Don't stay at the Best Western (beside the Holiday Inn). It was ok, but the air conditioning is not all that great, and the hotel is a little run down. The free parking was great, and it really is a very convenient area. The Holiday Inn is right next door to the Best Western. I loved the Holiday Inn - Capitol (near Air and Space Museum), which I used on a previous trip. There is little around there at night, but it is so close to the Smithsonian and Capitol, as well as the L'Enfant Plaza metro stop, and it would put you right by the American Indian museum. The museum is extremely nice - both the collection and design.

follow_your_bliss

One of the main reasons we went to DC was to experience the new Nat Museum of the American Indian. To be honest, we were disappointed.

The exhibits they do have are very well done, and there's a fabulous exhibit that describes how different tribes view the universe. However, we were under the impression that there would be "living exhibits"; ie, storytellers, etc. There were none. Also, a lot of the museum assumes the visitor doesn't know much about native spirituality. I understand that many visitors don't, so this is necessary. I guess I just thought that there would be more. A lot more.

The building is gorgeous, though, and the museum is a must see, if only because how long it has been in coming!

weski

The building itself, the cafe and the shop with true artisan works were wonderful. But the exhibits were a great disappointment. Only the art exhibit was worthy of the building. Sorry. We all had great expectations and there is plenty of room for improvements. I walked from L'Enfant Metro in less than 10 minutes. Stay anywhere you like if it is close to Metro or downtown and take a cab!