Washington DC Hotels, 4 days April
 

Our first trip back to DC in 25 years or so. Simple itinerary: the mall and museum and monuments, White House, Capital, Archives.

Looking at guide books, I have chosen three hotels. All rooms with 2 beds, and generous cancellation policy. Which would you prefer in terms of access to our sites, Metro access, and whatever I have forgotten.

Hay Adams $1548 (prices are all inclusive)
Downtown Capital Hilton $1556
JW Marriott $1526

We just returned from D.C. on Christmas. Stayed at the JW Marriott. Absolutely perfect location. Very close to metro. Walked to the White House & Washington Monument.. Everyone T the JW was attentive, kind, professional and accommodating.

I think JW MArriott is the most convenient in terms of walking to attractions as it is closest to the Mall, obviously. The area around the Hilton doesn't attract me, just too big business for me. You probably aren't going to want to walk to things from the Hilton, it's more than a mile to some of the closest museums, for example (eg, the American or Natural History museums). All 3 are within a couple blocks of a metro stop but the Marriott is near Metro Center which gives you access to both lines (red and orange/blue). Also, I don't think the Hilton is around a lot of restaurants I'd want to go to at night. The Marriott has more very nearby IMO, and that is only a short walk to Penn Qtr where there are more choices. That wouldn't be a bad walk in April.

I can't even imagine paying more for the Capital Hilton than the Hay Adams, but I've only been in it for business meetings. Just never thought of it as the same calibre.

Forget the Hilton.

Me? I'd stay at the Hay Adams -- it's a beautiful historic hotel. The Marriott is a Marriott.

I’ve stayed at both the Hay Adams and the JW Marriott. The latter is a huge business hotel - all marble and shiny brass. The HA is a historic old hotel and while beautiful it also isn’t as “functional” due to its design and age - big armoire instead of closet, pedestal sink instead of vanity, that kind of thing. So I’d decide based on which matters to you more.

I agree with obxgirl. I have stayed at the JW Marriott and it was a nice Marriott as Marriotts go, but I got it on Priceline and paid maybe 50-60% of what you are offered.

Of your choices, Hay Adams. We have also enjoyed the Mayflower, another classic hotel. If you don't mind being out of the center, a friend found that Sheraton out by Rock Creek Park enjoyable recently. It's basically right at a Metro stop.

You decided against the Willard why? I've never been a huge fan of the place but simply curious since it is just as "close" to things as that Marriott is.

We just stayed at the Grand Hyatt for four nights and it was significantly cheaper. We walked to the museums on or near the mall everyday and it was about 25 minutes. Metro is in the basement of the hotel.

Upon further review, as they say, the Hay Adams has a no cancellation policy and requires full payment at time of booking. Too big a chance to take.

IMDonehere, I looked at Grand Hyatt, no availability for our dates.

Looked at the Mayflower, no availability as of today. (Was available Friday)

Dukey, who decided against the Willard. It was the first place I checked when starting this excursion. About $300 more expensive for a basic room.

So, looking like the JW Marriott, unless someone else can suggest something in the same area, around 1525-1550 all inclusive for 4/10-4/14.

Size of the room/bathroom not so important, as we are used to cruise ships. No car, so no parking worries. More important would be a neighborhood with restaurants, easy Metro access. Would much prefer two queens/fulls to a king. Cancel up to 72 hours is preferred.

Cheryl, I figured that since you didn't LIST the Willard amongst your three, that meant you had ruled it out. I can understand why you did so, too.

Sometimes a "basic" something works fine and that Marriott has a lot to be said for it, IMO. Enjoy your trip.

Don't know your dates but please note
Cherry Blossom Festival 2018 is March 20 to April 15....

We stayed at the W and I loved the location and the POV lounge on the roof with fabulous views of the White House and monuments at night.

Had a great stay at JW. Nice concierge lounge. Convenient location. Friendly staff.

I've stayed several times at the JW Marriott ( as the freeloading guest of a family member who attended conferences ) and liked it for it's convenient location. It's only a few blocks from the Metro and is within easy walking distance of the Mall. If you don't plan to spend all of your time in the hotel wanting luxury, it's great.

That seems a LOT for four nights, even in April, but at that price, I'd also choose the JW Marriott over the Capital Hilton. I guess you're going for a peak cherry blossom week. I've stayed at the latter, and it's a pretty good hotel, but not for those prices. I paid more like $149 a night. So it's really no contest, but I can't believe those prices.

<i>So it's really no contest, but I can't believe those prices.</i>

Not sure why it's hard to believe the prices. DC is a heavily booked conference town.

That all three hotels are in the same price ball park tells me that there's a lot going on that week.

I am expressing shock at the pricing because there are many alternatives that are significantly cheaper and (imho) just as good. But the shock isn't nearly as great if this is for 4 nights and not four days (i.e., 4 days/3 nights, which is how I read the post), so $350 per night and not $450. I probably wouldn't pay $350 per night for a hotel room in DC either, since there are many good choices at upscale hotels for around $250, which seems a much more doable and reasonable price to me. The luxury hotels and the convention center hotels are indeed in the $350 to $400 range for that time, and I just wouldn't pay an extra $100 per night for that when I could stay at the Kimpton near Dupont Circle for under $300. I'd rather spend that money on good food, which is plentiful in DC these days.

Thanks Doug, it is 4 nights in DC. Booked JW Marriott; not my first choice, but can be cancelled if a bargin comes along.

Doug, like you, I am a big Kimpton fan and like to recommend them. FWIW, though, for the OP's dates, the DC Kimptons are all = or > $300, most of them $350 and above. Except for the one that is a mile from a metro station and nowhere near the national mall.

I don't know whether it was the takeover of the Kimptons or that I was looking at busy weekends, but it seems to me that their rates have skyrocketed over the last several months. If it continues they will have priced me out as a loyal customer and that breaks my heart.

$350 a night during Cherry Blossom time in the top hotels in DC doesn't surprise me one bit. I don't understand the comment that one would never pay $350 a night for a hotel room in DC. DC isn't a cheap city for hotel rooms during many popular periods, it's a very big business city. It is the nation's capital, after all, it's one of the major US cities. Room rates are very high during May, also, and October.

Now hotel rates can be less than $200 at other periods, like maybe August or perhaps right now, actually. They are usually cheaper on weekends, of course, except in July-August, as business people aren't here. The Churchill seems to available at around $250, but not a whole lot less than $300 during those dates.

While we like Kimpton properties too, our last few stays in DC have been at the Fairfax at Embassy Row. (We drive in from NJ and they offer a AAA rate that includes free parking which I realize does not interest you for this trip). Very traditional feel with doorman, excellent front desk personnel, and excellent housekeeping. We were not impressed with the breakfast we purchased there one morning; we'd much rather do a Starbucks run.

For your dates in April, I see they have a king suite for $287 if you can use a AAA or AARP discount. Other room choices may be higher or lower.

The hotel is a few blocks from the DuPont metro station and all the restaurants at the circle. We have used taxies to museums on the mall and to Penn Quarter; fare was about $10.

I've also stayed at the Fairfax Embassy Row (and many other hotels in DC) and agree with k_marie's description. I will add that the one thing we liked about it a lot was being an older hotel, our room was very large (it was not a suite, but it had the large area where the bed was, an alcove for a desk, and a large bathroom),

Thanks for the recommendation of the Fairfax Embassy Row. Looks like nearly $700 lower than JW Marriott for our dates. What are the subway connections like for our preferred area of sightseeing?

It's 2 blocks from the DuPont Circle station, where you get the redline that goes to the White House/mall area. Let me reiterate, this is NOT a fancy hotel - it probably once was. Now, it's traditional, comfortable, with large rooms and in a good location.

Fairfax Embassy is a very nice hotel and the quoted rates sound great.

<i>What are the subway connections like for our preferred area of sightseeing?</i>

As mentioned you'd be w/in minutes walk of the Dupont Circle Metro station. Your preferred area of sightseeing is more than 2 miles in length. This hotel is farther away from the National Mall than the hotels you originally named. But it's a couple of stops away from Metro Center which will either put you in walking distance of your destinations or enable you to transfer to another line to get closer.

this is NOT a fancy hotel

Agree, it's not the Hay Adams but price wise, IMO, it's a fair tradeoff from the Marriott if you want a quoted lower price, a nice neighborhood but slightly farther proximity to the mall. The qualities Doug was describing.

Do you prefer a hotel over a bed and breakfast? Asking because several years back we stayed near DuPont Circle at the Embassy Circle Guest House, which we tremendously enjoyed. Cost is the same or less than your quoted hotels and includes breakfast.

I’m not sure of your exact dates, but there are two double bedded rooms in the house. The hosts could not be nicer, and they often spontaneously serve hours d’oeuvres or even dinnners. We had fascinating conversations with fellow travelers, many of whom were in government positions, over breakfast at the big dining table. Would definitely stay there again if in DC.


https://www.dcinns.com (the Embassy Circle option)

Iwan2go: Thanks to your recommendation for the Embassy Circle Guest House. We booked it. Seems much friendlier and with breakfast included than the JW Marriott. Same price. This is why I love Fodors!

Oh I’m so glad!! We had the most fascinating discussions there. Someone from the State Department was discussing their work in Togo, someone else was preparing for a Senate hearing -the most interesting people!

Have a a wonderful time.

Bookmarking. The Guest House sounds great.