My boyfriend and I are spending a week in D.C. this month, and we have booked the Radisson Barcelo (upon recommendation from this website, actually!) I was wondering if anyone has any tips as to requests that we should put in when we check in for the best possible room available. We're not terribly picky, but it would be nice to have a great room (maybe with a view?) if we are to be there for the week.

Also, we welcome suggestions regarding "not to be missed" sites, restaurants, activities, etc. to hit while we are there. (Of course we will be taking our trusty Gold Guide for help, as well.)

Thank you very much in advance.

Two thoughts come to mind. The restaurant on the ground floor of the Barcelo, called Mimi's I believe, is very popular, and very loud, opening onto P Street. As I recall the gimmick is singing waiters or some such thing. Old goat that I am, I couldn't wait to get out of there.

I've never stayed there so I don't know if the noise carries to the rooms, but I would definitely request a room as far away from the restaurant as possible.

Second thought - Johnny's Seafood, IMHO one of the best moderately priced fish restaurants in the city, is a couple of blocks from your door, on the same side of the street as you walk toward Dupont Circle.

The restaurant in the Barcelo is Gabriel (Spanish and Latin American flavors); Mimi's (the singing-waiter bistro) is in another hotel across the street.
P Street between 20th and 22nd may be the best stretch of eating in Washington, so you'll have no trouble finding good meals at a wide range of prices, from carry out kabobs to elegant Northern Italian with plenty of midrange places--Thai, seafood, Japanese, pizza, and more. The nearby blocks of Conn. Ave. are good for strolling and eating as well.

I just stayed there at the beginning of June. I did a trip report so if you search under DC trip report, you should find it. I reallly couldn't stand that hotel. The lobby looked fine, but to say the rooms were shabby is an understatement. Our bedspread was threadbare and patched--huge patches all over. The dresser drawers were falling apart (bottems falling out, front panels unglued) and didn't shut properly. The carpet and chairs were stained, the bathroom was plain and unappealing, and the view was nil. They have about 9 floors and the rooms either look directly at the hotel across the street or into a window in the back. If you are not planning on spending time in the room, fine, but if I was going to be there for a week, I'd want a nicer room to come back to relax in. Just my opinion.

We were there in April of this year and loved it! The rooms are HUGE and very comfortable. This was a converted apartment building so think "Apt" size rather then hotel room.
The street is busy and can be noisy so so one of my suggestions is to request a room on a higher floor. Our view was of the rooftops...wouldn't say they have "views" We also had a sofa, chairs, coffee table and a very nice sized bathroom. Very comfortable.
We ate across the street at the bagel place every morning. Bagels served everywhich way and very affordable and fast. Tables there also to sit and eat at. We were also rarin to go every morning, rather then sit and eat a leisurely breakfast.
There are 15 restaurants on that street alone so you won't have a hard time finding a great meal. We ate at Pizza Paradiso, one night another Italian place Al Tirmisu (linguini with clams and olive oil-yum!) across the street another night, and everyday after our forced march :0), we would stop in at the Bratskellar a restaurant/Bar around the corner...they have about 5000 beers on the menu. The food IS not great, but it was fun to just sit and talk about our day and relax before dinner.

The restaurant Gabriel at the Barcelo gets rave reviews in Fodors but is expensive. If you want to eat there but are on a budget, try there tapas happy hour. Margaritas are 1/2 price and they have an all you can eat buffet.

We loved Washington D.C.
If you've never been I would suggest taking the Tour Mobile. It takes you all over the city and you see all the sights. You can get off but sometimes it difficult to get back on if it's a busy day. My suggestion would be to take the trolley to see where everything is, orientate yourself to the city and then go back later to see the sights that you want to spend more time at.

A few of our hightlights were: The original Star Spangled banner at the American History Museum (they are restoring it), & the First Lady's inaguration dresses.

Jazz club in Adams Morgan. You can walk there but take a cab home!

Library of Congress: the most beautiful building anywhere, Period!!!

Supreme court to listen to arguments…all 9 justices were there.

Hope this helps!
Have a great time!

Thank you very much everyone for your kind advice.

Toni, your post was particularly helpful. I'm glad you had such a great trip, and am looking forward to mine more than ever.

Ellen, I am sorry your experience with the Barcelo wasn't so positive. I did see your trip report previously (when researching the hotel) but I've found that positive experiences there have outweighed the not-so-positive, and the Dupont Circle neighborhood was our first choice, so we decided to go for it. (Besides, for $99 a night in a city like DC, I'm not expecting the Ritz.)

Still welcoming advice and tips -- we leave on the 19th. Thanks again!

I am very surprised at the negative review that was posted because I have stayed there a number of times and I think it is a great value. The last time out, I had a very nice upgrade to a suite. The neighborhood is great and I highly recommend the Radisson Barcelo. If you will be there on a Sunday, be sure to make a reservation for the Sunday brunch at the Gabriel Restaurant. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time. Happy Contrails!

The Barcello is in the midst of a transition -- some rooms are nice/renovated -- others are not (I have a friend who works there). For $99 per night it sounds like a great deal. I would highly recommend Adams Morgan, Dupont and the U Street area. The Georgetown waterfront is really only for guido/trash (mostly GW and Georgetown students trying to show off their creatine-induced muscles). Also, I have seen previous posts recommending Lauriol Plaza restaurant -- AVOID IT -- It is now loaded with trashy teenagers from Bethesda anxious to show off their new (fake) boobies.

While you're in the Dupont area, go west on P Street and then north on 22nd or 23rd (can't remember which) to the Brickskeller. It's a famous beer bar (just got into the Guinness book of world records), with 1,000 beers from around the world. They serve food too, but it's not that great. The beer selection is the draw. It's a block north of P street, and most people should know where it is if you ask directions.