I am planning on visiting DC Memorial Day Weekend and was thinking about using Priceline.com to get a room. Can anyone tell me what areas would be better than others?

I used hotwire to stay at the Watergate ( it goes by another name that I can't remember, it s on Virgian Ave) Kinda out of the way if you don't need to be by GWU or the state dept. Any of the Westin Hotels are in good locations and not too far from metro stops. Also the Wyndham is nice to. Why don't you go on Expedia and get a feel for the hotels you like and then go back to Priceline and see if you can get it. Also when I used Hotwire, I only saved about $15.00 over Expedia, but I knew exactly what I was getting by the description. I am surprised that so many people are willing to take the chance on a blind decision. Stay in NW around Foggy Bottom( Geoge Wash. Univ area, near the State Dept) or near Dupont Circle or downtown. My opinion only, but I love these areas and love to walk around the neighborhood.

Marriott had some great Memorial Day rates, I believe, under their member specials.

Hi
There's a couple downtown hotels JWMarriott, a Holiday Inn, a Hyatt near Union Station. They're all great and you can probably do well on their sites. Otherwise stay in the burbs and take the subway in - Washington is EASY to get around. Have a great time!!!

Hi,I just stayed at the Grand Hyatt Washington and it was in a good area and within walking distance to alot of
places. I got it at Hotwire for $95 a night in the White House/Capitol Hill Zone as a 4*.
We got a nice,big corner room.Everyone one was helpful and friendly.I also got to tour the Hotel Harrington which is in a really great spot for touring Washington,DC by foot.Big,clean rooms,
nice,friendly people and a couple of great restaurants right there.It's a busy corner location,but noise does not appear to be a problem.Just get a room on a higher floor.Rates are really reasonable.We plan on staying there on our next trip.Good Luck whatever you decide.You'll love Washington,DC!!

Try the Kalorama Guest House. 202-328-0860(Prices range from 45$-140$ for a suite.) Elgantly restored Victorian townhouses right in NW D.C. Only negative is you might not have a private bath. But cheap rates and a international clientle and tea in the afternoon are great perks.

Whatever you do, avoid the Washington Plaza. We were dumped there for a night last week when our chosen hotel (State PLaza) was overbooked, despite pre-payment. It was a nightmare - police cars parked outside, dreary, bored desk staff, phone system that didn't work, non-existent 24-hr room service (couldn't get anything to eat at 11.00pm after 12 hrs travelling), 3/4hr for the staff to find 2 pillows -and men in tight leather shorts (and little else) with tongues down each other's throats outside room.(I kid you not!). Would also advise against State Plaza, as it was their fault we ended up at it;s so called 'sister' hotel (though to be fair, State Plaze upgraded our room and paid for breakfast duringthe rest of our stay, in 'compensation')

One great source for excellent hotel rates in DC is Capitol Reservations, at www.washingtondchotels.com . You can check on specific hotels, even see how their rates and availability vary from one day to the next during your proposed stay. At the very least, see what you get there before bidding on Priceline.

We just got back from DC after touring Gettysburg. As for areas, I don't think the Dupont Circle area can be beat - for convenience and ambience. The neighborhood seems very safe, and has grand old mansions and embassies. We stayed at the Carlyle Suites on New Hampshire and really liked it. Big room, big bathroom, nice kitchenette with a table - and windows that actually OPENED! Even though we didn't use the kitchen (except the fridge), it was nice to have the extra room. I think our room was $110.

Thanks for all the tips. It is very much appreciated. I'll let you know where I wind up staying. Once again, Thank You!!

Stayed at the Capitol Hilton last summer. Good location. Tour bus shuttle picks you up and takes you to terminal for lots of tours. Got a good price on travelocity. Short walk to White House. We crammed lots in just a few days and enjoyed it very much.

Go to biddingfortravel.com and see what the prevailing winning bids for a 4* have been of late...for DC proper I'd probably bid the Downtown and/or Georgetown areas, but I'd probably only bid 4* for Downtown as the State Plaza has popped up at 3* and lower, and has gotten some not so great reviews (incl. the person in this thread). Seems like everyone's been satisfied with the 4*s that come up. Crystal City is another option, again check biddingfortravel.com to see what's been popping up there and if all the possibilities are near the Metro (I think they are), here I'd feel more confident bidding a 3*, can probably get lower rates than Downtown or Georgetown.

I live in the area, but wanted to stay in the city for a weekend, and used priceline. Got one of the Hiltons (downtown) for $75 a night.

Avoid Crystal City like the plague.

Now, Crystal City is indeed boring and sterile, but IMHO "avoid it like the plague"is a bit of an overstatement. Especially for someone driving in -- when I stayed at the Embassy Suites in Crystal City, they were offering free parking for AAA members.