But that's when we'll be there, so please, does anyone know anything about the Carlyle Suites Hotel in DuPont Circle (we'd like to be close that location - family). (Just to give you a little background - We are very happy at a Courtyard, or a Marriott generally, Hampton Inn is good, generally anything modern, clean, and with a comfortable bed and great shower. We do not like "tired" or "worn", or anything chintz or floral . Last time we were in DC we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn on 14th and it was perfect for us. Although I know its just factored into the price, I hate paying for WiFi. Love to frequent the lobbies and bars of pricey hotels like the Willard and Hay-Adams, but don't like paying to stay there!). Any recommendations would be great. Thanks.

There may be conferences or a large convention in town the week you're traveling that might cause hotel prices to spike -- but overall hotel occupancy in DC has been busy to slammed for much of the year.

The Carlyle is a great little suites hotel in an art deco building. Nothing chintzy or floral. I haven't stayed there in a couple of years but it was in great shape in 2012. Wifi was free.

There is a new Hilton Garden Inn in the immediately adjacent West End neighborhood on M Street if you're a Hilton stayer. Other hotels to look at if you haven't already are the Dupont, the Fairfax, a Residence Inn, the Palomar, the Topaz, the Madera and the Rouge. The la

We stayed at The Dupont and loved it!

October is a pricey month in most places in Northern hemisphere, due to the amazing weather -- including San Francisco!

I think StCirq stayed there this past winter when her apt flooded. Maybe you can find her thread about the flood thru a search. I can email her and ask her to check in on your post.

Thanks all - Deb, we've stayed at the DuPont Hotel. It's a possibility too.

Not sure prices but have you checked any of the Kimpons? Love that brand.

We are regulars at the Carlyle, as it's just a block and a half from where we live, and yes, when we were flooded out of our old apartment in January, we stayed there for close to a week in a beautiful, huge suite that they gave us for the neighborhood price of $99 a night.

We love those guys, always go there to watch main events like the World Cup and the Tour de France - there's never anyone at the bar and they have a huge TV and we don't, so it's our go-to-place on the few occasions we want to watch something special.

It's totally Art Deco. It has a city-famous brunch. It's a bit quirky, in a good way...like it's not just another hotel, it has a personality, one that really fits in well with Dupont Circle, which is quirky and artsy and vibrant and wonderful. Apart from our best neighborhood friends' VRBO apartment, this is the place I always recommend anyone coming to DC stay. If you ARE interested in an apt., I can certainly recommend our neighbors' place, too, where we also stayed for two weeks when we were refugees after the flood.

If you decide to stay there and want the neighborhood discount, you can email me and I can arrange it: [email protected]

Thank you so much St. Cirq. My son and DIL live in DuPont Circle - should I tell them to contact the hotel, or would I be better off going through you?

While were at it, what's the VRBO number for your friends apartment (May as we'll look at that too!)

sf7307, you can contact your son and DIL, or us - we'll happily walk over there and give you a plug. We're pretty good pals with the folks at the front desk by now.

And here's our friends' apt: http://www.vrbo.com/186865

I'm a fan of the Kimpton hotels and a Fodorite stayed at the George recently and really enjoyed it -
http://www.hotelgeorge.com/

Thanks Starrs - The George looks great, but on this particular trip we want to be in the DuPont Circle area.

Dupont Circle