We are going to be staying 3 days to visit Washington next year as part of our tour of the south and would like to get some advice about Hotel Harrington on 11th & Sts.NW.Is it ok and what would be the best way to get there from Dulles INt. Airport. Thanks.Paul

If you do a search, you will find that the general opinion of this hotel is that it is a dump.

A dump full of rowdy kids in under-supervised tour groups. If you're on a budget, consider Priceline.

Harrington is not the nicest hotel, but I don't know that I'd charactorize it as a dump. For the rack rates it offers for a location in central DC, it is a decent price:value ratio. However as other suggest, Priceline may be the way to go if bedding arrangements are flexible, as you are not guaranteed two beds in the room. If Priceline is NOT for you, but you wish confirmed roomtypes and prices, look at the Red Roof Inn in DC (in Chinatown) for a great location and decent prices. I assume that price is a factor in your decision, so would also suggest you look at hotels in the 'burbs that are near a Metro station. In particular I will recommend the Arlington VA neighborhood of Rosslyn, followed by Crystal City.

Your transportation choices:
Cheapest would be the B5 bus from Dulles with a stop at Rosslyn and terminating at L'Enfant Plaza. Use subway, bus or taxi - you could even walk if you are traveling light.

Next would be to take the Washington Flyer bus from Dulles to the Metro Station, then take Metro (Orange Line) into town. Transfer to Blue at Rosslyn if going to Crystal City.

Then there are the SuperShuttles and taxis, but guessing on your budget I won't give details.

Find excellent subway & bus directions, costs, timetables, etc at
http://rideguide.wmata.com
The subway system is excellent and as long as you are near a Metro station you are "close enough" to all the sites in DC. Don't worry about exact location, and avoid hotels on NY & RI Ave NE

I stayed there a couple years ago with several friends - 2 different rooms. It was very clean and rooms were spacious. It is a old hotel that was completedly remodeled. People who said it was a dump probably never stayed there. The location was great - within walking distance of museums, etc. I also never saw any children there - something I usually notice since I can't stand them.