We are going to DC in October and are looking for a reasonably priced hotel that is in walking distance of the mall/capital. I have to be able to go back to the hotel several times during the day so it can't be outside DC, but it could be a short metro ride. Any suggestions?

There are literally scores of hotels that would meet your needs. I recommend that you search for past threads/discussions of DC hotels.

I had put a post out the other day concerning Marriott hotels. Most recommended the Marriott Metro. I don't know if that's a resonable hotel(we're using award points), but it sure came recommended. I know there's also a couple of Residence Inns.

I like the Foggy Bottom area, and stayed at the moderate Washingtn Suites Georgetown a couple of years ago. The all-suite hotel used to be an apartment building. The rooms were acceptable, but a tad worn. Anybody know if it has been refurbished? Can't tell from tripadvisor reviews, but it does get some good reviews.
George Washington University Inn might also work for you.

Try the Washington Hilton. rates are reasonable. Seems interest has been down since Reagan was shot there. Same fate as Ammbassador in LA. Short walk to Dupont Circle Metro.

Nancy, What price range do you consider reasonable? $150/night might be reasonable to some, pricey to others and cheap to still others.

The Red Roof Inn Chinatown is in central DC - a block from the Gallery Place / Chinatown Metro. There's no amenities, other than a workout room, but it's safe, clean, convenient, and surprisingly quiet. It's a multi-story steel & cement structure, not a typical wooden roadside "Roof".

Reasonably priced for DC means $150 or less---preferably less! Thanks for the suggestions.

We highly recommend the Lincoln Suites hotel, near 18th and L, about 5 blocks behind the White House.

It's a block or two from two Metro stops, and we got a room with a kitchen, stopped on the way into DC to buy sandwich makings, pizza, and hot dogs, and fixed our own lunches and dinners (breakfast is included), saving a ton of money. (We DID go over to Old Town Alexandria for seafood one night.) The rooms were nice (we had two double beds and rented a rollaway), and they really do have freshly baked cookies and cold milk available in the lobby each evening. The rate for 4 on the hotel website (www.lincolnsuites.com) was $189/night. We booked through AAA and got a rate of $169 for 2 adults, but when I checked in and said we also had two teens, they didn't charge extra. I used a coupon from the AAA guidebook for an extra $10/night off, which paid for the rollaway. Parking in a garage next door is $20 per 24 hour period. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and were told we could leave our car parked in front of the hotel as long as it was moved into the garage by 7 am the next morning. That also left our car available to drive over to Old Town Alexandria, Arlington Cemetery, and the war memorials area Sunday afternoon/evening.

I don't know what rates will be like in October (I think that would be high season, and they can vary a lot between weekdays and weekends), but if you really need to go to the hotel several times a day, something around Metro Center would be best. That would be within walking distance of the Mall and near both metro lines. I think a couple of the hotels right near the Mall or advertised as being "Capitol Hill" would also be okay given that goal--the two HOliday Inns and there are a couple other around there.

Right at Dupont Circle wouldn't be too bad -- Jury's, for example, or Radisson Barcello or the Hilton near there (I think it's called Embassy Row).

That's funny about the interest in the Wash Hilton going down since 1981! I was actually there that day at a convention. That's mainly a big convention hotel, and I personally would not recommend it at all for someone who wants to pop in and out several times a day. It's not walking distance to the Mall, either. Well, it is, but a long walk, and it's enough of a hike from the metro (slightly uphill), that it's not convenient.

Some hotels around Penn Qtr or the old convention center would be fairly decent, also.

oh, I forgot to say that I've stayed at Lincoln Suites twice and I agree that location is pretty covenient, also, as well as any hotel in that general area around Farragut North. The Mayflower is there, but that would be too expensive, I imagine. I didn't stay at Lincoln Suites under the current name and owner, but don't think it has degraded in quality.

The hotels around McPherson Square would also be very good -- there is a Hilton Garden Inn there, I believe, and maybe some others.

The St Gregory is reasonable and is located around the corner from the metro.

It is a short, convenient metro ride.

I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn on Franklin st. It was convenient to walk to the White house and sights. We took the metro back and stopped a half a block from the hotel. It was nice and clean and should run around 150.

Priceline works really well for DC. I just stayed at the JW Marriott for $76 a night. It's very close to the metro, as well as a fair amount of attractions (easy walk to White House, Mall, etc.) And that's during the summer, which is usually the most expensive time in DC, outside of April (Cherry Blossom time).

We are going to DC in mid September. We will be there during the week. The rates I have found are more than I want to pay. At this point I have booked a room at the Quality Inn Iwo Jima, but would like a more central location (and a nicer hotel). I have stayed in Dupont before and like that area. I intend to bid on a room on Priceline as the time for our vacation is nearer. What other areas besides Dupont would you advise me to bid on? We want to stay in a safe area that is close to the Metro.

mim59: I've stayed several times at QI Iwo Jima. It is about 1/3 mi from the Metro (S on Ft Meyer, W on Arlington Blvd, which is actually a service road along Rt 50) on safe sidewalks & neighborhoods. A little dead at night and the hotel restaurant closes early. Nearby Sarris's Orleans House is good. Once you are there, look at the "Inn at Rosslyn" next door to the QI. Ask to see a room. It looks a bit aged outside, but the rooms are nice, large, and quiet. They have a free continental breakfast & will drive u to the Metro, both not offered by the QI.

Several people have suggested using Priceline. I have never done this. How specific can you get about where and what you want?

You can specify the level (perceived quality of the hotel and its services) and general location.