looking for ideas of inexpensive places to stayin wash dc. would like to have a nice area where you could walk within a few blocks for dinner. also looking for info in mexico - ixtapata area. didn't see this in your listing.

Connie: I stayed at the Holiday Inn Capitol three years ago. It's two blocks from the Air & Space Museum, and about a block from the L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station. The hotel had a good buffet, and the Metro can get you just about anywhere.

I've lived in the DC area for more than 30 years and can recommend several inexpensive (for Washington) places. Try the Days Inn on Connecticut Ave (202-244-5000) - it's in an upscale neighborhood in NW DC, walking distance to restaurants and 1 1/2 blocks from the Metro line (10 minutes to downtown). You could also try other hotels in the NW or upper NW area (Dupont Circle, Woodley Park, Cleveland Park or Van Ness areas); for instance, the Normandy Inn (800-424-3729) or the Marriott Courtyard at 1900 Conn Ave (800-842-4211). All the areas above have dozens of restaurants and are close to Metro and convenient to downtown. Georgetown would be picturesque but probably not cheap. I can't really recommend staying in the corporate/government downtown area if you want to walk around a lot at night, since the streets are pretty empty once the offices close. At all costs, avoid the New York Ave NE corridor. There are lots of cheap lodgings but it's in an unattractive, inconvenient area that's not very hospitable to tourists. You could also take a look at lodgings in the nearby suburbs -- Alexandria, VA (Old Town, for instance, has lots of restaurants and shops you can walk to and is fairly close to Metro), Bethesda, MD (has same qualities), Lanham, MD (you'd probably need a car to get around -- it's more of a sprawling suburb), or downtown Silver Spring, MD (right at the Metro station). Hope this info helps. Good luck and enjoy your visit!

You didn't say if you wanted to be in the tourist area (White House, etc.) or elsewhere. You might want to consider staying out on Connecticut Avenue near the National Zoo - it's safer than downtown and is in a "trendy" urban neighborhood with a lot of nice restaurants, theatres,bars, etc. - and the Metro takes you to the Mall in a matter of minutes. There are a couple of chain hotels up there - we stayed at a clean Days Inn a few years ago. Nearby is an Irish restaurant/bar called Ireland's Four Provinces (or is it Five?) which was a lot of fun. This is an especially nice area if you 've already visited DC and done the Mall thing and want to try someplace different.

I strongly recommend either the Sheraton Woodley Park or the Tabard Inn, a great, charming, clean, (great food, too), bed and breakfast in Dupont Circle.

Erin

Does anyone out there know anything aboutthe Washington Court Hotel. I'm going to be there in January for three days for sightseeing and relaxation. Coming in by Amtrack and they recommended it.

Thanks,

M.

We stayed at the Days Inn on, I believe, M Street. It was very, very reasonable and was an excellent location. Walking distance to Museums, White House, etc. The rooms were quite acceptable. If you book 21 days in advance you get the best rate. It is also quite close to a subway station. If you are on a budget, the old Post Office has a good food fair. Also, the Hard Rock is right next door to the Ford Theatre, so you can tour the museum at the Ford while you wait for a table.