Trying to decide between the Embassy Suites on 22nd Street & the Crystal City location (Jeff Davis Hwy in Arlington.) The price is now virtually the same.
I'll be traveling with my parents who are in their 70's. We hope to visit the White House, Washington Cathedral, Arlington Cemetary, a few monuments, and one or two museums. We would also like to do a little shopping, preferrably at a mall or discount outlet. Will arrive in DC on Thanksgiving Day, and leave on Sunday or Monday. Will have a car, but realize driving in DC can be difficult, so we'll rely on the Metro or cabs. Considering the atractions we want to see, which location would be best? Will one be closer to a metro station than the other? We aren't particularly "city smart" but we aren't afraid of staying in a city, either. I appreciate any advice. I have researched several earlier threads on DC, and learned so much, but haven't found a thread that addresses my particular question.

I personally couldn't tell you which one is better since I've never seen these hotels. Although a web site that you may find of help is:

www.embassysuitesdcmetro.com

It's a web site that is just for the DC Embassy Suites Hotels and has a lot of information that you may find of help. I guess when looking between the two hotels for location I would go to Embassy Suites Crystal City. The Metro rail is two blocks away from the hotel and with that you can see all of Washington.

Hope this is of some help!

Have stayed at the one in Crystal city.It is the same as all the Embassy Suites, clean and convenient, with a center atrium (I think) and a complimentary breakfast. Close tothe Metro is nice, and the Crystal City Mall, which is very good shopping. The Metro in DC is excellent, clean and safe.

I live in Washington, and you might also consider the Embassy Street at Friendship Heights. It's in D.C., though farther out than the other two. But it's in a building (offices and a mall) that's right on top of a metro station, with tons of shops (Saks, Niemans, and lots more) and restaurants (Cheesecake, Maggianos, and other non-chain places) within EASY walking distance to save your folks . . . There's no outlet shopping IN the city. The closest are the incredibly huge Potomac Mills (about 40 minutes south on I95) and Prime Outlets in Leesburg (unusual in that they have a Pottery Barn and William Sonoma outlets). While both of these outlet complexes are in VA, neither are near the Crystal City Embassy Suites.

Avoid Crystal City like the plague. We locals call it the Concrete Jungle.

The Embassy Suites on 22nd St.--I'm not sure if that's in Foggy Bottom, not too far from the Kennedy Center and basically at the back of the George Washington Unversity Medical School (close to Foggy Bottom metro, too), or just off Dupont Circle. Regardless, either location is good, and you won't be too far from the metro. For the same price, it's not contest--STAY IN THE CITY!! You'll have a blast.

If your parents have any mobility issues, avoid Potomac Mills. It's something like a mile from one end to the other, and it's basically just one massive corridor.


Crystal City "mall" has about 200 dry cleaners, a drug store and one clothing store that no one under the age of 72 would venture into (okay, so I guess it would work for your mom!). You're not far from Pentagon City Mall, which is a nice place to shop. However, that's about all I can say nice about Crystal City. It's filled to bursting with office buildings, and basically shuts down at 5:30. There is a small strip of restaurants on 23rd street, but there's NOTHING else.

Friendship heights!! You're right by the metro..and you're in the coolest part of Washington - not far from Georgetown!!! Everythign is near you, including a hoard of restaurants!!! Save area, but like all cities (or suburbs), dont linger alone at night.

To everyone -- thanks for your advice, and keep it coming. I love this forum, how the different posters help each other.
Some more questions-- where is "Friendship Heights?" The Embassy Suites directory lists these locations: 1. 1250 22nd St. N.W.; 2. Crystal City/Arlington (1300 Jeff Davis Hwy); 3. Alexandria-Old Town (1900 Diagonal Rd); 4. Uptown/Chevy Chase Pavilion (Wisconsin at Western Ave.); 5. Tyson's Corner at 8517 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA; and 6. Dulles Airport. Are any of these the Friendship Hts. location? We have ruled out staying at the the Chevy Chase location, even though it sounds great, b/c it is at least $115. more per night.

You want #4, Uptown/Chevy Chase.