Where to stay
 

I am trying to decide where to stay during our long weekend vacation to DC in October. We are a family of 3, with an 11 year-old boy. We are driving and want to avoid driving (and parking) in DC proper, so we plan find a base in the 'burbs and use the Metro. Right now I am looking at either the Hyatt in Arlington(Rosalyn) or the Hilton in Crystal City. Both have good weekend rates. I am open to suggestions and appreciate any insight.

Please allow me to make a suggestion. Try to repost your question with a new title, like "Where to stay in Washington, DC" for a greater response rate. Even though you may have posted this under Washington DC, it shows up on the U.S. forum, so no one will automatically know you are talking about that specific place.

I can't tell you about the specific hotels but I can give you some insight into the specific areas.<BR><BR>Rosslyn is across the Potomac from Georgetown so if you want to walk across the Key Bridge you can easily stroll through Georgetown with its wide variety of shopping and places to eat. Rosslyn has good access to Metro's Orange Line and is within easy driving distance of good restaurants in Arlington's Clarendon area.<BR><BR>Crystal City is close to the Pentagon and National Airport and has good access to Metro's Yellow and Blue lines. There are a few good restaurants along 23rd street which may or may not be within walking distance depending on where the hotel is. Nothing touristy is really within walking distance of Crystal City. Old Town Alexandria (restaurants and shopping) is about a 10 min drive from Crystal City (except during rush hour).

Consider Old Town Alexandria, VA. There are some decent hotels near the King Street metro. This particular metro isn't in the heart of Old Town, so getting around will be a little easier for you. If you want to spend some time in Old Town (highly recommended), you will have about a 15 minute walk to the center of Old Town or you can take a Dash bus (for free, I think). Check out www.funside.com for more info on Alexandria.<BR><BR>I do not recommend staying in Crystal City.

The Marriott in Crystal City is DIRECTLY connected to the METRO-it does NOT get any better as far as Metro connections go---but it does not give you a feeling for DC proper--<BR><BR>You could also get a hotel in Gerogetown and park your car at the hotel and use the Metro in DC--you have much better dining choices in DC than<BR>in Crystal City--<BR><BR>THe walk over the Key Bridge from Arlington is LONG and FULL of crazy traffic-esp.with kids--lots of joggers too...<BR>But the HYATT in ARLINGTON near the KEY bridge is very CLOSE to a metro stop-- so that may well be your best bet!

Both Rosslyn and Crystal City are mostly office buildings in the immediate area. That said, I've been to the Hyatt Arlington several times and can recommend it. It's a block from a metro stop and very convenient to restaurants. The time spent on the metro commuting to DC from both places is about the same, so distance isn't much of a factor.

Crystal City: at a conference a year ago I was devastated at being stuck there (the Hyatt I think) -- and then discovered the 23rd street restaurant corridor. What a goldmine for those of us from the boonies! Like a miniature Adams-Morgan - Thai, Vietnamese, French, Mexican, etc. all reasonably priced. Makes highrise suburbia much more palatable!!

We have always loved the Embassy Suites hotels. There are 5 of them in the DC area. Each is near a Metro station. They have great indoor pools, and a very nice breakfast.

Tom,<BR>A few years ago we stayed at the Crystal City Marriott and Metro'd all over. It was a great location, and a very good property.<BR>Staying there gave us the flexibility of driving when and where we wanted, and taking public transport as well.<BR>And, since you didn't ask, Blackie's is a really good steak house....If I remember correctly, it's up in duPont circle.<BR>