TAW

Hello,
We're a retired couple and have just decided to look into a trip to DC next Spring.
Just looking at a few hotels and they already have nothing available for random dates.
Am I starting this too late? Should I change to Fall, 2012?
We want to avoid the hotter summer months so we usually travel in Spring &/or Fall.
From what I've read so far, it seems like Priceline might be a good option but I have no experience with using it. We'd probably need a hotel for 4 or 5 nights. Can you get 4 or 5 nts in one place thru PL?

I would like to stay under $250/nt. Prefer a place with A/C, elevator, fridge, coffeemaker, good shower & comfy beds. Clean goes without saying...
Of course we need to be close to public transportation. We won't have a rental car while in DC. Will be flying in from west coast.
Since our dates are fairly flexible, are there any dates that we should avoid? (Such as Spring Break)
Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks in advance!!

nyer

Major dates to avoid are the Cherry Blossom festival, and maybe Easter week.
http://www.nationalcherryblossomfest...12-centennial/
It seems that since its the centennial, it might be even a bigger than usual deal and covers 5 weeks, March 20 – April 27, 2012
I would think going right afterwards would be great

DC is not Spring Break destination for the college crowd, and the nearby states have different schedules for elementary and h.s break time.

You can get Priceline for 4 or 5 days but it tends to be harder. More to your point, you cannot specify any of the things that you're aksing for (Prefer a place with A/C, elevator, fridge, coffeemaker, good shower & comfy beds.
Of course the higher the category you try for, the more likely that you get what you wantlike "good shower". Having a fridge would be less likely though in a fancier hotel, though you may be able to ask for one at an extra cost. The only places (on Priceline)without elevators would be 2 story motels.
Hotwire lets you know some amenities in advance, doesn't cover some others

kmbp

Other dates to avoid would be college/university graduation weekends. You could check on-line the academic calendars for the major schools: Georgetown U, American U, George Washington U, Catholic U...

In our experience, rates at Washington hotels are less expensive on the weekends, Friday night through Sunday night. We have had good luck finding good rates on travelzoo.com but their offers are listed about three months in advance.

mztery

OK I've just plugged in week-long dates from March 23-April 25, a week at a time, and for 4 and 5 day slots and all the major hotels have availability at anywhere from $199-255. I'm not sure where you're looking....
All Actual DC hotels are close to the metro so you won;t need a car.

But many major hotels do not have room fridges except for the mini bar so if you want to use the fridge for your own items it may not be possible.

LindaBrinck

Our favorite hotel is LeEnfant Plaza hotel - right above the Metro line - walk to the Smithsonian museums. nice pool - good restaurant. We find it very convenient. You might be able to snag a room for less than $250 with AAA discount.

PamT

Also, keep in mind that May is the time when schools do their field trips and you will run into lots of groups of children all over.

We've gone in May twice now and every time I say why did we come in May One year we went in December and although it was very quiet and no lines then I wouldn't recommend it.

Last trip (May,2010) we stayed at the Doubletree on New Hampshire Ave. 2 bedroom suite/has kitchenette-close to the Foggy Bottom Metro.

May, 2008 stayed at the Renaissance Mayflower on Connecticut Ave. Got it on PL/no AC and noisy. Also stayed at the Hyatt on New Jersey Ave and that was under construction at the time but close to the Capitol.

Have a great trip - LOVE D.C.!

Dukey1

WHERE are you looking? Yes, it is unlikely you will get some place that doesn't have A/C or an elevator

1JAR

Another hotel option would be either below in Pentagon City or Crystal city. The Metro is easily accessible from either location and here is a shuttle from either as well. TIP: Don't miss the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial (outside): read about it first before you go, then spend some time really looking at it. We have a close military friend honored there: the symbolism is heart wrenching and yet fitting.

I prefer Residence Inn as they are closet to Pentagon City MAll also know as Fashion Centre MEtro which you can take from Reagan National to the bottem of the Pentagon City MAll. 5 minute ride.Then lierally escalator up to street level and walk across teh street.There is a nice upscale food amll in teh botem of Pentagon City Mall too. There is a Costco across the street,in a strip mall, Residence will drop of p/u and they will also do local grocery shopping: nice feature because except for Costco the grocery stores require quite a distrance to drive.

Check out Residence Inn website: the have a great Map resources for shopping and dining nearby.


http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/...pentagon-city/

http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_...ginia/index.do

tomfuller

If you wanted to fly into BWI and stay east of DC, staying in Greenbelt is an option. Greenbelt is at the east end of a METRO line. If you fly to Reagan National, I agree with 1JAR about the hotels near Pentagon City. It is not necessary to stay in the center city area. I advise people not to fly into Dulles because of the ground transport problems and cost getting to the city. Amtrak and the METRO IMHO are the best ways to get into the city.

obxgirl

You are not in any way too late and in some ways you are probably too early. Don't commit to Priceline or any other non refundable booking now. With a budget of up to $250/night, you should be able to find many options that meet your criteria, both downtown DC or very near by.

If you aren't interested in the cherry blossoms avoid visiting that time of year. Crowds are much bigger, hotel prices can be higher, and restaurant booking are harder to come by.

Even with the construction issues en route, I wouldn't shoo people away from Dulles particularly those coming from the west coast. A one way taxi trip to downtown is $60 and that is the most expensive option. But then I probably wouldn't recommend staying in an outer burb like Greenbelt either unless I was really trying to save pennies.

MikeT

While Pentagon City/Crystal City are fine, I'd argue Greenbelt is far from ideal unless you are really pinching pennies. The trip from Greenbelt to the tourist areas will easily add 30-45 minutes of commuting time, which can be really awful after a long day of playing tourist.

nytraveler

In May you may be running into graduation week - which usually books out a year in advance. Try looking at dates a week or two earlier or later and you should find plenty of hotels.

The only thing you need to reserve really far in advance is the White House - and you have to do that through your congressperson's office.

paulhelmick

i just checked priceline and you could get the hyatt arlington through them for $129
the dates i used where
check in Sat. May 5th
check out Wed,May 9th,2012
this is there full price not a bidding price
this hotel is just across the street from a metro station that will get you into d.c. in under 15 minutes.
I hope this helps.

TAW

Thank you all for your valuable responses!
I first have to decide on my dates, then look for hotels.
I think it would be best for us to stay as close as possible to the immediate area because we often go back to our room to rest in the afternoon and then go out again. At least I'm sure DH would do that. He's only going because I want to go.
As for dates...I'd like to avoid hot weather, school groups, crowds, etc. although I know it's a busy destination. I'll probably choose late April or late May. What do you think?

Also, we will be getting a rental car as we leave DC because we'll be going elsewhere (TBD) to complete a 2 week trip.
Thanks again and please keep the info coming!

321go

Crystal City/Pentagon City areas will have plenty of hotels with coffeemaker and small fridge in the room. Two I've stayed at and would return to are: Residence Inn Pentagon City and the Hampton Inn Reagan National. Both are fairly new and are close to the metro (as 1JAR notes above, the staff at the Residence Inn will gladly drive you to and from the metro, although it's a short walk).

longhorn55

If you are serious about avoiding hot weather, school groups and crowds, then don't come anytime in April or May. The city is inundated with tourists and school groups at that time (although the weather should be OK.)
A preferable option would be coming in September or early-to-mid October. The number of tourists is down from spring and summer and it's too early for the school groups. Also, the weather is usually gorgeous then. It's my favorite time of year.

TAW

longhorn55: you've been reading my mind! That's exactly what I've been thinking since I started this thread and have been reading all the answers.
So now I'll pick dates for sometime in the Fall, 2012.
We'll just have to go somewhere else in the Spring!

Thanks to everyone & I'm sure I'll be back with more questions later on.

chilegalbeagle

TAW, I am going to DC October 1-8 and every one I have talked to has stated its the perfect time to go! Less crowds since people just went back to school and beautiful weather since its past the worst part of the summer. The only down side is that some of the museums close a bit earlier since its no longer peak tourist season. Most consider October 1st the "winter non tourist season" and close earlier. Most really not more than 1 - 1 1/2 hours early though so shouldn't be an issues especially with the smaller crowds.

MikeT

The Fall is a great time to be in DC, but don't expect hotels to necessarily be cheaper. It is the peak of Congress/conventions/meeting which mean hotels during the week are going to be expensive.

gardendiva

I have gone twice in the last week of October. The weather was great on both trips with the temps in the 60's. Great for walking around and not getting too hot. There are very few crowds, however, I did run into a few school groups but they were well behaved, if you know what I mean.

I am currently planning a trip for this fall but for the first week in November and I am finding that some of the independent tours are not available after October.