Urgent - Hotel recommendation required for Washington DC
 

Hello<BR><BR>This will be our first trip to Washington DC from the UK - we arrive in 2 weeks and are yet to find a hotel!<BR><BR>We require an excellent 4* in a safe area of which has restaurants that are walkable. <BR><BR>We are only there for a very short time, so all attractions (White House etc), need to be walkable too!<BR><BR>Can anyone recommend?<BR><BR>Thank you.

You will not find a location from which ALL attractions are walkable, any more than you could in London.<BR><BR>Right now, the White House is giving tours only for pre-screened school groups.<BR><BR>You need to get a guidebook or map and do some research.<BR><BR>Look at the old posts on this board about DC hotels. Any hotel in the Northwest quadrant will be "safe."<BR><BR>Then do to www.washingtondchotels.com and you'll get a good rate.

It's true that the main attractions in DC are too spread out for them all to be "walkable" from one hotel.<BR><BR>But you will be delighted to find that the Washington DC Metro (tube) system is very convenient and efficient. It's only about 25 years old, very clean, but drab. You will actually save more time in the long run if you choose a hotel that's very close to a DC Metro stop, rather than walking everywhere. Taxis in DC are not very expensive, either.<BR><BR>For nice hotels and lots of lovely restaurants within walking distance, you'll probably like the Dupont Circle area, which somehow has lots of night-life and is also a nice residential area.<BR><BR>Can't help you with the 4* part, I'm a budget traveler myself.

there's a marriott 2-3 blocks from the white house. it's also a 10 min walk to the mall (smithsonian museums), the washington monument, etc. enjoy!<BR>

The nicest hotels in the best locations in DC are the Hay-Adams (recently renovated, opening March 1, I think), the Willard, the St. Regis, and the Mayflower. They're all in central locations, safe neighborhoods, with lots of restaurants around. Good luck!

The Marriott a couple of blocks from the whitehouse is the JW Marriott. DC is spread out quite a bit, so depending how much walking you are comfortable with, it's hard to find anywhere thats walkable to everything. This location is probably as good as it gets. Be sure to bring comfy shoes!

I would second the suggestion of Dupont Circle as a neighborhood to stay in. You'll take the Metro to most museums, White House, etc., but when you return at the end of the day, the neighborhood will be hopping, with tons of shops and restaurants open until late. Lots of am breakfast options, too.

Shelly:<BR><BR>I'd suggest the Howard Johnson that is right across from the Watergate. It is in the West End of D.C. and an upper class area. It is a 20 minute walk to Georgetown and a 10 minute walk to the G.W. subway. J. W. Marriott is a VERY convenient hotel, N.W. section of D.C. A shopping and eatery center (The Shops) and it is connected right to the hotel, no need to step outside if, at 8 p.m. you would like to eat. The subway system is very reliable. Just get $10 worth of rides on a subway ticket so you don't have to purchase a new ticket everytime you take a ride. The machines will automatically deduct the fare when you leave the subway. I use to live in D.C. so if you have any other questions, post them here.

Shelly, The other Marriott near the White House is the Metro Marriott.<BR><BR>Convenient to the WHouse, The Mall and the Metro stop is basically in it's basement!<BR><BR>We've stayed there numerous times (4th of July '01 being the latest) and really enjoy it...mostly because the CapCity Brewing Co is located across the street.<BR><BR>4*+ hotel that we've paid as low as $75/per night thru various specials.<BR><BR>Good luck.<BR>Kal

I'd suggest the Capitol hilton - gret location, near great restaurants like DC Coast. Near everything.

Like the other posters, I would recommend staying in Dupont Circle if you want to be near the restaurants and bars. Try the Jurys Hotel.<BR><BR>If you stay downtown near Metro Center, it's true that you can walk to the White House and museums, but keep in mind that it is the business district and therefore rather deserted at night and on weekends. Try the Crowne Plaza at Metro Centro.<BR><BR>Both the Jurys and the Crowne Plaza are near a metro station (tube).<BR><BR>Good luck!

You could try the Washington Monarch, Park Hyatt or the Westin, they are all quite nice hotels. They are located in Washington's West End neighborhood. They are about a 10-15 walk to the Metro depending on which station. They are also in walking distance of Dupont Circle and Geogretown, also there are several restaurants in their area of 24th and M. I work in this neighborhood and it is a very safe area. I also belong to the fitness club at the Monarch. The Monarch also has beautiful public areas. For guidance on restaurants go to the washingtonpost.com and to the LIVE ONLINE section and look for the archived DC Dining chats by their food critic Tom Seistma (not sure on the spelling of his name) He does the chat live on Wednesdays at 11:00AM Eastern Time.

Shelly:<BR><BR>You could probably not make any reservations in D.C. and still get a hotel. The Cherry Blossoms don't bloom until late March, early April. There are so many hotels in the area. You may even want to stay in Old Towne, Alexandria, VA. It is themed in 18th century residential building (federal style) with some historical residents in the area.

Check out The Rouge and The Topaz at www.kimptongroup.com. They are very hip and in a great location. Both have recently been redone and are about three blocks from DuPont Circle and about six blocks or so from the White House. Cost per night runs about $99 - 150.

I like DuPont Circle area a lot too, but unless I get a GREAT deal, it's too expensive. Rosslyn area has several hotels, near to Metro (Hyatt, Holiday Inn, Marriott, Qual Inn, etc.). I've found some good deals at http://www.funtastiktravel.com <BR>

The best hotel in the vicinity of the White House is the Willard. The Capitol Hilton is good also.

Stephanie P - <BR><BR>The Howard Johnson near the Watergate has been converted to a George Washington University dormitory.

The best hotel, truly, is the Marriott Wardman Park hotel in Woodley Park. 2 minute walk to the Woodley Park Metro, great restaurants (Italian, Chinese, Indian and a fabulous Lebanese taverna) right across the street. The National Zoo is a 15 minute walk away and the neighborhood cannot be beat for beautiful trees, flowers and just plain loveliness. Make sure to stay in the new tower, the old one has more ambiance, but the walls are thin. If they are booked, try the Kalorama Guest House, a B&B 2 blocks away, or the Omni Shoreham hotel, across the street from the Wardman Park.<BR>If you are flying into National, just take the Metro Red Line to the Woodley Park/Zoo stop.

I would second The Willard. <BR><BR>We just stayed at the JW Marriot. Beautiful lobby but the room walls are very thin. Not up to 4* standards, in my never to be humble opinion. <BR><BR>