I need some advice on this particular
hotel:

Washington Marriott
1221 22nd Street NW, Washington

Is it in a safe location?

The other option I have is the
Omni Shoreham (though more expensive)

Planning on seeing smithsonian,
the cathedral and maybe lib of congress.

Is the metro accessible easily?
What about the tourmobile?

THANKS!!

The Washington Marriott is perfectly safe (almost everyplace in DC that a tourist is going to end up is perfectly safe).

It is between DuPont Circle and Foggy Bottom. It is about four blocks or so from DuPont Circle Metro and about same distance to Foggy Bottom.

I have not stayed at the Washington Marriott, but stayed in a hotel across the street so can reassure you that the area is fine. It is about a 5 block walk to the Dupont station Metro and about 4 blocks from the Foggy Bottom station. We would happily return to that area again to stay for a future trip.

I'm not sure where the Tourmobile stops are located but you could probably call the hotel to ask how close the nearest stop would be.

Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

<<Is it in a safe location?>> Absolutely

<<The other option I have is the
Omni Shoreham>> The Washington Marriot is a better location.

<<Is the metro accessible easily?>>
The Washington Marriot is midway between the Dupont Station and the Foogy Bottom station - a six block walk to either one.

<<What about the tourmobile?>> Not convenient, IMO.

<<Planning on seeing smithsonian,
the cathedral and maybe lib of congress.>> Take a blue or orange train (From Foggy Bottom) to the Smithsonian (Smithsonian stop) or the Lib of Congress (Capitol Soputh stop). The subway doesn't go near the cathedral - you will need to take a bus or taxi there.

Here's a map of the Metro system - click on a station to get a map of the neighborhood surrounding the station.

http://www.stationmasters.com/System...ystem_map.html

Now, how about the washington
marriott metro?

This one claims to be half a block
to the metro station.

Is it quick walk like advertised?

I've got a family member who is
a bit "sun" sensitive so I'm trying
to keep most walking indoors.

Does the metro usually drop off
within a block of the monument/museums, etc?

Thanks!!

Again, in a perfectly safe neighborhood and right on top of a Metro station.

The Subway will get you near the museums and other buildings, but you are going to have to do some walking.

I think MikeT and (perhaps corsica as well) is referring to THIS Marriott (Marriott at Metro Center):

http://marriott.com/property/propert...rshaCode=WASMC

The Washington Marriott is a 6 block walk to Metro. If they are saying 1/2 block then they are misleading - no matter WHAT one calls a block. It is a quick walk, but it's 6 blocks.

The National Cathedral is not near a Metro station. We followed the directions at the Cathedral's website and took a bus (don't remember the number) from Massachusetts Ave at DuPont Circle. It's a worthwhile visit and if you have time to kill, you could walk back from the Cathedral (a long, slight downhill) or catch a bus back.

Yes, Tourmobile is pretty much limited to being within a few blocks of the monuments & national Mall. Some of the trolley companies have routes further out, including to the National Cathedral.