picking DC hotel
 

We are a family of 5 that is visiting DC over spring break for a week. My kids are 15, 13 and 10. They enjoy trying lots of different ethnic foods and the metro is going to be a treat for them. We'd like one room, an indoor pool would be great, however the embassy suites isn't available. What is available is:

The Westin Grand
The Melrose
St Gregory
Radisson Barcello

I am interested in the Dupont Circle area. The Radisson appears to have large rooms, but the dumpiest accomadations. The Westin may have the most comfortable beds. We might have to have a rollawayat the Westin also. Not sure how close all the hotels are to restaurants, etc. Would like help!

I have stayed at the Westin Grand before and thought it was excellent. It is located at 23rd and M Sts, a 6 block walk to Georgetown (which does not have a metro station) and a 6-7 block walk to Dupont Circle. You can also walk to the Foggy Bottom metro station for access to the blue/orange lines. My husband has stayed at the Radisson and said that it was nice but nothing special. Dupont Circle is packed with restaurants, as is Georgetown.

I have never been to the St Gregory but I know it is located at New Hampshire and M Sts and is a 3 block walk to Dupont Circle. I am not familiar with the Melrose.

Stayed at the St Gregory one night in December. It's well located...more in the business-y part of town but in a very walkable location. A few fancy restaurants nearby -- Galileo and Vidalia's which get constant excellent ratings even though I've found both to be just okay -- and some less fancy ones nearby. David Greggory restaurant is just across the street and is a funky restaurant to enjoy some happy hour appetizers at.

St Gregory has the added bonus of the Marilyn Monro statue in the lobby which may amuse your kids. Our room also had a kitchenette which would be fantastic if you are staying for a week and want to have drinks or snacks in your room.

St Gregory location really is great for what your kids like. Easy walk to Dupont and tons of restaurants. The beds are NOTHING like the Heavenly Bed at the Westin, and the room was pretty standard/basic but clean. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. You may want to check other's opinions at www.tripadvisor.com.

"however the embassy suites isn't available"

Have you tried them all? The ones in Alexandria and Friendship Heights are very convenient to Metro stops (the latter is literaally atop it) and have plenty of dining opportunities nearby, but the one in Crystal City is not convenient to the Metro.

The embassy suites near Dupont Circle isn't available for the dates we wanted. I wasn't interested in the others, although I am aware of the relationship of the one near the metro at Friendship heighths. Also, it looks as if the Westin is now out of the rooms with two beds. I've already reserved rooms at the Radisson and the St. gregory, so it may come down to which one I cancel.

I've stayed in the Radisson for business and I enjoyed it very much. I loved the little outdoor pool but I stayed in summer, when it was warm enough to use. Why do you call it dumpy?

At the Radisson-I think it depends on whether you get a renovated room or not-and they won't guarantee one.

We stayed at the Radisson last summer. Its not dumpy exactly but its not quite up to par either. We had a room that I think was renovated but it still felt dated. The pool was down right disgusting - smelled like dead fish - cracked concrete patio, mildew everywhere. Don't go there for the pool.

I have seen reviews that love the Radisson especially for the large rooms and ones that say that it is stained, worn, dumpy, pool is ugly, cracked (however, it'll be too cold for us to use and OUTDOOR pool). I am now thinking it is down to wondering if the largeness of the rooms at the Radisson and perhaps the uniqueness of the area outside of the hotel trumps the niceness of the ST. gregory with the fact that the st gregory has a fridge in the room. It is a difficult decision. We are willing however to take the metro to go to fun restaurants, as we really really like trying new things.

Most hotels will provide a minifridge for your room upon request, usually at no extra charge.

FYI, the Raddison is not "dumpy", just not as luxurious as your other choices.

To keep you in food heaven every night of your stay, some of the best (though not super expensive) restaurants are these - all within 1-1/2 blocks of the hotel:

21P - www.21prestaurant.com

Johnny's Half Shell - http://www.johnnyshalfshell.net

Al Tiramisu - http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...pe=restaurants

Pesce - http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...4&typeId=2


Obylisk - http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...&id=792579

Gabriel (in the Radisson) - http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...&id=792643


Pizza Paradiso - http://food4.epicurious.com/HyperNew...e/3144/17.html

There are many more in the immediate area as well as shopping, movies, etc.

Thanks, can you give me an idea of the atmosphere around the radisson? that would help too. Is it more interesting than the St. gregory? I could than just request a mini-fridge. And actually, several posters have really complained if they didn't get a renovated room that the rooms were very very run down, otherwise they were pretty nice at the Radisson. It is hit or miss.

The Radisson Barcelo is in the two-block area of P street (20th to 22nd) that has probably the most varied good eating in DC. Not necessarily fancy, but a wide range of cuisines and prices: kabob carryout, Japanese, Italian (several), seafood, Thai, and more. There's also a little grocery in the ground floor of an apartment building. The area is always lively.
St. Greg is several blocks away (20th and M), where the business district meets a residential area. There's less evening activity, but you can easily walk to P street from there.