Washington/Williamsburg help!
 

I am planning on going to Washington Dc this summer with my family, and I was wondering if what you think about staying at the Residence Inn Pentagon City? I was considering the Embassy Suites Washington Dc Downtown although not to sure? While JW Marriott and Grand Hyatt are nice hotels, I would not be able to spend that much per night for a hotel room and I also need a suite. <BR> <BR>By the way, I am also planning on going down to Williamsburg, and seeing that area. I was considering either the Kingsmill Resort or Homewood Suites Hotel. The Kingsmill Resort I am thinking of going to more, however I am traveling with family and I am not sure if they as welcome there, as at Homewood Suites Hotel Williamsburg. <BR> <BR>Any help on these hotels or other advice that would be great! I was thinking of staying in the Washington area for about five days, and then three days down by the Williamsburg area. <BR> <BR>Thank you!

You might consider staying in one of the out lying areas. We stayed in Silver Springs @ Holiday Inn and we had a suite=slept 6 people @ cost of $ 100.( afriend in the area made the reservations) <BR>Then we took the Metro (Subway type transport-clean and seemed safe) into D.C.to Union Station and then did our sightseeing. Worked well for us as long as we avoided the commute times. <BR>Your time frame seems good to me, althoughI could have spent more time in D.C. <BR>Cood Luck

I'd prefer the downtown location if the price is comparable--you can walk to a lot more attractions and there's more dinner choices. But Pentagon City is easily accessible to the city by metro--just make sure the hotel is close enought to walk to the metro or has a shuttle service.

Embassy Suites is preferable (Silver Spring is WAY too far out), but Pentagon City is on the Metro line, so if you want to commute, go ahead.

My husband and I have been to Kingsmill and can tell you that they definitely welcome families there. We had a very large one bedroom suite that slept about 4. Two bedroom suites are also available. The resort has several restaurants, at least one of which is a very family friendly one (can't remember the name) and also has all kinds of activities for kids. For the adults, there is a very nice spa. It is located right next to Busch Gardens and only a few minutes from Colonial Williamsburg. I loved the place and would stay there again.

Ill second the compliments regarding Kingsmill. <BR> <BR>Very nice property... <BR> <BR>-Tony

Jim, <BR>I just returned from a nice trip to Washington DC, Virgina Beach and Williamsburg. I would stay in Washington DC another day. Colonial Williamsburg is like a tourist trap. While in that area visit the Virginia Capitol building in Richmond and the Plantations.

Staying at Pentagon City would be fine as long as the price is right and you know that you are only going there to sleep. It has very little to do with the rest of D.C.

Our first stay in an Embassy Suites was in Downtown D.C. a few years ago and it was wonderful. We have stayed in several since and this remains our favorite. With all the amenities included, it kept everyone happy. <BR>The kids drank free cherry-colas or Shirley Temples, ate complimentary snacks & played cards during happy hour and my husband & I either joined them or took a nap. The tables are on tiers, so they were separated physically and visually from grown-up drinkers. It was a perfect way to relax after walking all day. <BR>And the breakfasts were wonderful; something for everyone and fresh to boot. It made starting and finishing a day of intense site-seeing with children easier to handle. Since kids under 18 are free (you may want to check and see if this still applies), it was very reasonably priced. <BR>We spent a week and could have stayed longer, there is so much to do. <BR>Last fall, we went back, staying with family this time. Only one day in D.C. and then drove down to Williamsburg. Two nights in the town, one day for touring the recreated city and one for Busch Gardens. Everyone had a great time. By staying at one of the Inns in town, it made it easy to walk everywhere. There wasn't enough to do to stay any longer. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps.

The Residence Inn is easy walking to the Metro. Take the Yellow line rather than the Blue for most Mall area sites. You have a shopping mall nearby.<BR><BR>I would prefer to stay downtown, but can't see paying those prices. I've also stayed at Quality Inn Iwo Jima (walking distance to Rosslyn Metro and Econolodge Glebe Rd (too far from Metro, but have a free shuttle). I prefer to save on lodging and stay on the outskirts.<BR><BR>My cheapest was staying in Laurel for $50/night with a 8 mile drive to the Greenbelt Metro, about a half-hour trip to town. OK if you'll be sightseeing all day, but not if you'd want to be going back to the hotel during the day to freshen up.<BR><BR>Enjoy your stay!