Searching for a hotel for me & my young son in DC. I'd really like a hotel close to the Mall..we plan on doing the SI, Lincoln Mem. history stuff, etc. I expect to drive into DC, but walk or taxi around. Safety & fun is important...price, just needs to be fair for the area..no need to spend $250 - $350 for a room.

Try the Harrington hotel.PAul

You can do much better than the Harrington for your price point. The Harrington is a basic hotel that is fine, but pretty worn to the point some would consider it a dump.

Close to the mall isn't nearly as important as one would think because DC is small, but you could consider the JW Marriott, the Hyatt, the Courtyard Convention Center

topping in case more of our Washington DC posters can contribute.

Something to keep in mind: parking fees add up. I believe the Marriott charges around $30/day.

I recommend the Embassy Suites on 22nd Street. Depending on the time of year (spring is very crowded there), I think it'll be in your price range.

I was there on business for 3 months this spring and felt very safe. Plus it has an indoor pool your son might enjoy.

It's not close to the mall but it is a short walk to the Foggy Bottom Metro plus you can walk into Georgetown and to the Lincoln, White House, etc. I think taxis are reasonably priced there too.

Hi everyone! We stayed at the Hotel Manaco. It was perfect, a few dollars more then we really needed to spend (figured that out once I got there) but very still worth it.

It is across the street from the National Portrait Gallery & next door to the Spy Museum. The hotel is a nice change from the typical hotels.

Our family stayed at the Holiday Inn Capitol this spring for a long weekend - youngest son was eight. The hotel is on C Street. It is just a block from the Air and Space Museum - easy walking to the other Smithsonians, Washington Monument, etc. It was a great location. Would recommend it.

The Mall area is so lacking of night time activity & food/drink venues at nighttime that I'd never wish to stay there. You'll more than likely want to go somewhere ELSE at night.

I'd rather stay in that "somewhere ELSE" neighborhood that is close to public transit and travel to the Mall area during the limited (9am - 5pm ?) the Mall is "open". Generally speaking, all areas that tourists would normally go to are safe. If you plan to spend your nights at the hotel, then I guess it makes little difference, but I'd prefer to do something at night too; til 9 or 10 anyway. Dupont Cirlce area a great place to stay. If you want desolate but safe at night, and want to save $ on hotel, stay in Arlington near Rosslyn Metro.

If your hotel is close to a Metro station, then almost anywhere is "close enough" imho.

The hotel suggestions mentioned by others are all good. The Harrington is a bit tired. Embassy Suites always gives you more privacy when kids are involved.

The Monaco and Courtyard Marriott are both superb renovations of old properties. The Monaco was once the US Post Office Dept. and the Courtyard Marriott was once a bank.

The JW Marriott is also an excellent choice.

Please note that no hotel is really walking distance from "The Mall". Even the JW Marriott--probably as close as you will get to The Mall--will require sturdy shoes and long walks to see what you want to see.

It is not important that you stay near The Mall because, if there is a convenient Metro stop near where you are staying, you can be there quickly.

Please note that there has been a lot of construction on the Metro yellow line on weekends. For that reason, I am currently advising against people staying in Alexandria, VA, on weekends thinking they can take the yellow line in. Maybe yes. Maybe no. The blue line stll runs when the yellow line is down but it takes much longer. Stay in DC.

As someone else pointed out, the location of the Monaco and Courtyard Marriott have a lot more action in the evenings (restaurants, theaters, sports at the Verizon Center).

More modest (and cheaper) digs can be found around Dupont Circle--where there is also a lot more action at night (as well as a good selection of restaurants).

Try the Hyatt by the Capital. My 9 yr old daughter and I stayed there and loved the local (has indoor pool). FYI- we got the room thru Priceline for around $70 a nt. Enjoy

"Please note that no hotel is really walking distance from "The Mall". ''

Did they move the Mall? It depends I guess on your definition pf "Walking distance.''

How lazy are Americans when three blocks -- the distance from the JW to the Mall -- is not considered ''walking distance?''

L'Enfant Plaza is even closer, but unfortunately that side of the mall does have as many other amenities nearby.

The Mall is 5 blocks wide and 15 blocks long. Something close to the Mall at one end may still be nearly two miles from another Mall attraction. That's walking distance for some, but not for everyone.

All of these responses will be very useful for anyone doing a search. But I'm wondering whether the folks who've posted in the last few days noticed that the OP checked back in to say where they stayed. They obviously no longer need help.

The question wasn't if the mall distance is walkable.

The poster said definitively: "Please note that no hotel is really walking distance from "The Mall".

And that's simply not correct.

Of course, these posts (even some of the snarky ones) often prove useful for more than just the OPs ... it's not a one time resource.

Which is why I said the responses will be uselful for anyone doing a search.

But I thought I'd point out that the OP has been and gone as some posters feel it's a waste of their time to respond "after the fact".

Yeah, I know ... in this case, when I see ``the fact'' that was in need of clarifying, I jumped.

I know I'd be ticked if I'd wanted to stay close someone said "no hotel is really walking distance from "The Mall."