We are traveling in Arlington, VA in mid July and need a place to stay. I'm looking for easy access into Washington DC via metro, decent accommodations, and reasonable parking. Where do you suggest??

One or two possibilities: the Ballston Hilton which sits directly above the Ballston Metro stop and is connected by a walkway to the nearby Ballston Common Mall. Many restaurants within walking distance. This is the closest hotel to that Metro stop.

Closer in at the CourtHouse Metro is the Hilton Garden Inn.

Some folks will tell you about all the hotels in Crystal City (which is part of Arlington).

Thank you Dukey!! I'm not opposed to crystal city either. I'm looking up your suggestions now. If you think of any others, I appreciate it!

I have stayed at Ballston Hilton. Most hotels very close to Metro in DC or Arlington do not have "reasonable" parking, however.

If you need more space, there is a Residence Inn in Ballston area - about 1/4 mile from Metro - it is my favorite hotel in the area. About a year old, has won a bunch of energy efficiency awards. Usual hotel breakfast, wine/beer free on weeknights. Sometimes a bit cheaper than the Hilton. Ask for room with view of Capitol.

You can sometimes get a free street parking space at night - but be careful since many have day-of-week and resident restrictions. But few places you can park for more than a few hours during the day. They have an underground garage, but for a fee.

Gail, a room with a view of the capital from Ballston???? Just how high up was that room?

Really - top floor of Residence Inn on N Quincy St in Arlington. Especially at night it could be seen lit up. I promise I was not hallucinating. (Read reviews of hotel on TripAdvisor and others have commented about asking for view - that is how I got the idea, even though I have stayed at this hotel about a dozen times)

The Crystal City Gateway Marriott is connected to the Crystal City metro stop, very convenient. I live in DC and park my car there when flying out of National because they have cheap parking rates and allow nonguests to park there (and it is covered). I buy it online on some parking websites where it is a lot cheaper than the airport.

I see their website charges $27 a day for parking. you can get it online for about $8. There are various parking websites to find offsite DCA parking from about $7-14 per day. Of course, it is only convenient to park your car at the hotel you stay at, but you usually can add parking later so can check those websites to see if you can get it at the same hotel for cheaper. Several Crystal City hotels are on them. like
www.airportparkingconnection.com

I think I used www.bestparking.com, they show you results on a map with dollars, it's very convenient, but they are all in Crystal City it seems. The Westin is on there, also, about across the street from the metro with parking rates about $12 a day.

Try the Americana - free parking, continental breakfast, and a shuttle to take you to the Crystal City metro station, which is 10-15 minutes away. http://www.americanahotel.com

Lee Ann

I'd give the edge to the Ballston/Courthouse hotels mentioned here for a little better neighborhood vibe. If nightly parking is under $20/night I'd consider that a deal. Good access to DC on the Orange line.

But nothing wrong with CC either. Americana is a good bargain choice with free parking and a short walk to metro.

CC is on the Metro's Blue & Yellow lines which gives you some added flexibility about how to get closest to the places you might want to visit on the National Mall.