Washington DC hotel question
 

I know I'm late at trying to book something, but the big book publishers convention is in DC in less than two weeks and I need advice.

I know that the hotels in the immediate area of the convention center will be fully booked as this is a huge convention. And I really don't want to spend $400/night+ in order to be that close to all the goings on.

I'm curious to know about places that are close to a metro station, that might make it easy to reach my convention center venue, and not spend an arm and a leg to sleep at night. I also don't want to do anything that isn't at least 3 star quality. We will have a car, but really don't relish the idea of driving to the convention in DC traffic!!

Any help is appreciated. I need to get a couple of rooms reserved ASAP.

Thanks fodorites!
Carol

It would easier to let us know what hotels you are considering. There are 100+ hotels in the DC area. Since you've done some homework already, why not share that info with us???

Carol, I think you're going to find that most of metro friendly hotels close to the District are also full (Crystal City, Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church). Don't know about the MD suburbs.

I'd consider looking for a Hilton or more in an area like Tysons which might have a shuttle to the Metro. Or you could drive to a commuter station, say West Falls Church or Vienna and metro into town.

Good luck. It's late in the game for booking lodgings for the book convention.

Thanks for the quick response. I have not been home to do much research on this other than looking at a web site about the DC convention center, and I noted that a Marriott several blocks away is available, but running $429 per night (ugh).

I just stayed at a Sheraton in Chicago a couple of days ago, and was at a Fairfield Inn in Chantilly VA a few days before that. Typically, I like the Courtyards, the Sheratons, the Radissons, sometimes Embassy Suites.

I was not anywhere near DC while in Chantilly or I would have done a little research on site...

Does this help? We would consider $200 to be an OK price, but hopefully could get to the convention center by metro-rail and not have to drive in traffic and then find a place to park?? I've not been to DC for about 15 years so I really appreciate the input.

Thanks!

We were posting at the same time!

Try the Tysons area before you book in Dulles or Chantilly. It's a little closer in.

Your instincts are correct about not driving downtown for this thing. It will be insane and cost you a fortune to park if you can find parking.

$200 a night is in the ballpark. May is always a busy month in DC but the convention has things locked solid.

obxgirl
Thanks so much for the quick response. Much appreciated!!!

Any recommendations for Tysons? The idea of driving to a Metro station is a great one. We've just been way too busy to think about booking ahead for this convention. BIG MISTAKE, I know.

Thanks!
Carol

Depending on your dates, you might try either the Doubletree Suites or George Washington University Inn, both on New Hampshire Avenue and across the street from one another. Their rates may be within your price range and the properties are a very short walk from the Foggy Bottom Metro station at GWU.

I stayed at the Doubletree Suites and found it to be a good value property, with a full kitchen, living area and separate bedroom. Keep in mind that neither of them is a full service hotel, so no on-site restaurant, health club or impressive lobby area. Good luck.

I think all of the hotels you mentioned are represented in the Tysons area.

The Hilton Garden Inn is showing availability for that week and it's close to the Dunn Loring metro. You could take a cab. Not all the metro stations have commuter lots. Don't know about Dunn Loring.

I'd book now and then continue searching to see if you can get a little closer into town.

Good luck! I'll be at the convention too!

obxgirl
I just checked the Marriott Tysons Corner. It's also available. I didn't book it, but is it also close to the Dunn Loring station? I'm going to look at the Hilton Garden right now. I like that hotel chain as well.

I'm looking forward to the convention!
Carol

A Westin just opened at Ballston, and there are a couple other options there as well as the options at Crystal City and Courthouse. I would pay a little more and stay at one of these rather than Tysons. Was not clear if you already checked those options. The Irish Drurys Hotel chain in DC have often had good last minute eligibility as well. I always use sidestep for a quick fix on what's out there. You might also try some of the smaller B and Bs like Swan house at Dupont.

I just booked the Hilton Garden Tysons Corner, so we at least have something!! Thanks everyone!! I will take a look at some of the other options suggested here, but am now breathing a sigh of relief that we have a place to put our weary heads at the end of each day!

obxgirl
Are you a writer, publisher, printer, reader, etc? Son is involved in both writing and publishing and I'm also a writer. This will be my first time at this convention. Son has been before.

CherylP

I just checked, and Westin Ballston is available, but priced at about $350... a little bit over my budget, but thanks for the tip anyway! I'm not into B & B's, sorry. At least I've got the Hilton Garden booked so I'm happy I have a comfy bed!

I knew the fodorites would help me out. Thanks one and all.

Carol

Carol, The Marriott is a couple of miles from Dunn Loring. You could take a cab to the metro in the morning. Ask the hotel about availability of cabs in the evening if you're going to parties or night time events. I'm not that familiar with the station. There may be a parking lot. Check Metro's website.

Cheryl, I wasn't suggesting Tyson's as the optimum place to stay. Most of the better places closer into town are booked because of the convention in addition to normal May biz/tourist traffic.

Good luck Carol!

Good news Carol. Keep looking closer into town for last minute openings.

I'm an artist but a friend of an independent bookseller. I've helped her in the past at the conventions. It's great fun!

I will say that Tysons will be incredibly inconvenient. You will have to drive thru traffic to the Metro, hope you get parking (which means leaving early), and taking two subways. It's easily going to take an hour.

How about looking near the airport. Anything in Crystal City or National Airport will be MUCH more convenient. You get on the Yellow line and get off at the Convention Center.

MikeT
I appreciate your thoughts, but I'm not finding any availability at the Crystal City places I've checked. This is a really huge convention and I'm afraid I've just waited way too long to get something very convenient! (sigh) But I'll keep looking! Thanks for the tip. I did not realize there would be two metros to navigate on the ride into the convention center from Tysons.

Is there a site that will give me a better idea of the metro routes and hotels that are along those routes? I've found a metro map but it isn't easy to figure out... aaarghh

Any thoughts on staying out around the Huntington area? I see that it's a direct metro to the convention center. Or what about something on the "red" line. I see it also connects directly.

Thoughts on these ideas?

Thanks.

The book exp has an 800 number for help in finding a hotel; no harm in trying it: 800-503-3330.

Also try calling the Omni Shoreham and the Marriott Wardman Park at their local numbers; this sometimes works even if the online and corporate phone reservations say there's nothing.

No matter what you book, don't overlook the possibility of finding something through Priceline at the last minute.

You'll find the Metro routes at www.wmata.com . Their trip planner isn't bad.

And an excellent resource, that shows DC neighborhood maps with all local features including Metro stations and hotels, is stationmasters.com

Carol
There are several hotels you might want to look at in Rosslyn, VA, which is just accross the river from DC and has its own metro stop in walking distance of a Holiday Inn, Marriott, Best Western and a Hyatt. As a bonus, the hotel tax is less than DC and the parking is free at most of the hotels. I've stayed at the Holiday Inn and the Hyatt several times and both are quite satisfactory. Also, if you are looking online and don't see anything available, call the hotel directly. A lot of times they hold back rooms from their online listings.
Good luck