Help! I will be going to DC for 3 days of sightseeing in October. Can you offer some advice on a safe area and decent hotels to stay for 2 women? Thanks.

Almost any of the main tourist areas are prefectly safe (DC is a very safe city from the perspective of tourists). Anywhere in "downtown" DC near the Mall, Dupont Circle/Woodley Park, Georgetown, Foggy Bottom/West End, or Frienship Heights are all fine. The only neighborhood with a lot of hotels I would avoid is probably the New York Avenue strip of motels.

I agree. "Unsafe" neighborhoods are quite apart from the tourist areas.

I agree with MikeT, and I'll add Rosslyn VA to the list (Hyatt, Holiday Inn especially) -- it's safe, both VERY near to the Metro. But nothing much to do. However, usually some reasonable savings on room rates. It's the first Metro stop outside the District on Orange & Blue lines. Dupont/Woodley area best choices if you want plenty to do, especially nighttime, near your hotel.

Holiday Inn
WASHINGTON-GEORGETOWN, DC
2101 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
WASHINGTON, DC 20007
UNITED STATES
Tel: 1-202-3384600
Fax: 1-202-3384458
Email: [email protected]
Check-In Time: 3:00 PM
Check-Out Time: 12:00 PM

Local Time: 2:42 PM EDT


This Holiday Inn is just up the street from Gerogetown--about a 10 min walk..and also a short cab drive from the Galleria Shopping Center in Bethesda.MD where there is a Neiman's--

Also you can do the Hyatt in Rosslyn,Va across the Key Bridge and across the street from the Metro- they have lots of weekend specials....Nice hotel with big rooms....

Or, if you want to splurge, you can do the Georgetown Inn directly IN the heart of Georgetown....in the midst of all the shops and restaurants..

I am always traveling alone or with me teenage daughter and we have stayed just about everywhere in DC with no problem. G'Town, Crystal City, Alexandria, etc... if you are like us you will probably not be partying at night. Any of the usual tourist hotel locations is fine when you do not walk the streets late at night.
Even if you do go out late, take a cab back to the hotel and you will be fine.
I was walking down M Street crossing into G'Town on a Sunday morning and was scared by some crazy looking druggies. It can happen anywhere. Just be aware of your surroundings and follow your gut feeling - always.
I saw the coming towards me and I split, in the opposite direction. Who gives a crap if I hurt feelings. I simply did not like the way they split up and started approaching me from 2 sides.

Just returned from a weekend in DC and stayed (again) at the Radisson Barcelo, near Dupont Circle. It's a great area to stay for your purposes with loads of restaurants and shopping on Connecticut Avenue and easy access to the Metro system. We've consistently found competitive rates at the Radisson Barcelo, but another hotel in that same area that we've enjoyed is the Hilton Embassy Row.

If you're looking to save some money, look at the Washington Suites Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue right beside Georgetwon. It is a short walk to the Foggy Bottom Metro, close to the Kennedy Center and on the White House side of the Mall. Because it is near a university, I always felt safe walking the streets with students. The suites have complete kitchens--that's where the money saving comes in.
Vera

I would recommend the Normandy hotel near Dupont Circle. Nice place and good location.

The Crowne Plaza mentioned by BonnieJ is a lovely place but isn't an especially convenient area for tourists. It's primarily a business area and not terribly lively at night. Not unsafe but just not a spot I'd pick if I were in town to see the sights. The Dupont Circle area is a great area to be a base for your visit. Lots of great restaurants and easy access to the Metro for the sights that aren't within walking distance.

I recently stayed at the Hotel George. I think it's on E Street - it's a few blocks from the Capitol. Nice boutique hotel and good location just a short walk to Union Station.

No Bonnee or BonneeJ or whatever your name is now. I repeat, the Crowne Plaza is a first rate hotel but it's not in an optimal spot for touring. Anyone who thinks 14th and K is lively after dark doesn't spend much time in DC.