I will be traveling to the Washington DC area and I am cosidering staying at the Sheraton Premiere at Tyosns Corner, or the Marriott Fairview Park at Falls Church, VA. I am wondering what people have thought of these hotels as well as any other hotels in the area that are nice.

Thank you!

Jim,

Those are nice hotels, but I'm wondering why you want to stay so far from the city. Business reasons? I don't know if you're familiar with the area, but Tyson's Corner and Falls Church are a bit out of the city and not worth it considering the number of hotels in the city or in Arlington, VA just across the river.

The J.W. Marriott downtown is very nice, smack in the middle of everything. As is the Ritz Carlton in Pentagon City (Arlington). Also, try the Four Seasons in the heart of Georgetown.

James

If you have to stay at one of those hotels for business reasons, then I guess you don't really have any choice, but otherwise I would definitely recommend staying closer in. Tyson's Corner is really inconvenient in my opinion unless you just want to go shopping at the mall or something -- it's not near the metro or other public transportation and not near any sights. Take the above poster's advice and stay in the city! There are plenty of Sheratons and Marriotts in the city if you have to stay at one of those chains for some reason, and you will be able to walk or metro or cab everywhere much easier.

Hi Jim,
We stayed at the Marriott Fairview Park in Falls Church last winter while visiting relatives and it was fine. As you may know, it's right off the beltway. The hotel has a very attractive lobby and our room was clean, attractive, and comfortable (typical Marriott standards). We actually were upgraded, with the new room being larger than the standard. As I recall, we got a very good week-end rate with breakfast (around $75) which is why we stayed there. The breakfast buffet was excellent - Marriott does a nice job of serving fresh juice and fruit and cooked to order eggs and waffles.

I definitely agree with the first two posters. Don't stay at those hotels unless you absolutely have to. If you need to be in DC, you will be terribly inconvenienced. As James said, the JW Marriott is very nice. Also, if you need to stay at a Marriott, there is a new Marriott Courtyard downtown on Massachusetts Avenue. The Capitol Hilton is a good choice as well. I work in DC, so if you need more suggestions, please feel free to email me.

What do you think of the Marriott Suites in Bethesda? I would also appreciate any other hotel suggestions in that area.

Thank you for all the help!

Hi Jim (again),
At the risk of looking like a Marriott employee (I'm not), we just stayed at the Marriot Suites in Bethesda this past week-end as well as three weeks ago (once again visiting relatives). This hotel is right off of 270 and the beltway. It's in an office complex so not too much in the immediate vicinity and no views to speak of from the rooms. However, the rooms were comfortable -- and were true suites with a door between the bedroom and small living room and TV's and phones in both rooms. The breakfast at the hotel was quite good and the week-end rate was excellent ($84 including breakfast buffet for two). We aren't/weren't tourists so didn't go into D.C. They do run a shuttle in the morning and afternoon/evening to and from the subway, although I don't know if it runs everyday or only weekdays.

Can you explain what you'll be doing and where? I think we're all baffled by the suburban bent of your choices thus far.

This isn't a reply but a question. Spending a long weekend in D.C., my first visit since I was about 12 and am staying at Embassy Suites in Georgetown. Is this a good choice, i.e., convenience to tourist sites and to dining/bars in the evening?

(not really Mrs. C, of course) --

Jim: The Bethesda Marriott is better, esp. since Bethesda has lots of great restaurants, but access to the Metro to go downtown is not so good. If you are trying to find some "deals" outside of the District itself, consider places in Rosslyn (e.g. Key Bridge Marriott) or Crystal City or Old Town Alexandria. The first two, in particular, have very convenient Metro stations.

Steve: ?? -- don't think there's an Embassy Suites in G'town, but the nearby one on 22nd street is very central -- about ideal. There's also one on Military Rd., almost into Md. but right OVER a metro stop.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites in Crystal City, a short walk to the Metro station. All Embassy Suites come with b'fast (cooked to order) and buffet and evening manager's reception, plus the suites are large enough for families. We found it to be quite convenient and only minutes into the city by Metro.

I'm currently in the Shearaton Premiere at Tysons Corner (here for a seminar) and it has been horrible, from check-in, to room service to maid service. It's really too bad because the property is nice, the room is okay, the food is tasty (if luke-warm because it's always late.) But the worst part is the people are either very poorly trained or they are brow-beaten because they certainly treat the customer with disdain (if not out right disrespect.) It must be from the manager, and it filters down: they are consistent, at least.

Steer clear of this dog...