Where to stay in DC for sightseeing

Old May 18th, 2014, 07:03 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Where to stay in DC for sightseeing

My fiancé and I will be in DC for 3 days in November and we're trying to figure out which would be the best neighbourhood for us to stay in.
Our budget is less than $200/night and we aren't looking for anything spectacular, just somewhere to sleep really. We do want to be close to major sightseeing locations but are happy to use public transport for short trips and we're even happy to walk as long as it's not a ridiculous distance.
Any advice and/or hotel recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
SkruffieLou is offline  
Old May 19th, 2014, 01:53 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I got a hotel 3 blocks from the White House bidding on Priceline for about 180 including the extra fees and the hotel was pretty nice, practically new.

If you're in the downtown area you can pretty much walk or take the bus to most of the major sights.

If you bid on Priceline, there's a map that will give you an overview.
nstevey is offline  
Old May 19th, 2014, 01:55 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The thing with PL though is we couldn't do much about specifying a particular room - no. of beds, handicap, view, that sort of thing.
nstevey is offline  
Old May 19th, 2014, 02:28 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
OK - so first you say "just somewhere to sleep really" then you want to pick # of beds (if there are just 2 of you why does this matter), view (VIEW!) and handicap (this is legitimate if one of you is handicapped).

So - which is it?

There are other discount sites that allow you to search for various options (t I don;t know any that lets you pick view - unless you're willing to pay more for a specific view - not a discount).

Sorry - you're not being realistic.
nytraveler is offline  
Old May 19th, 2014, 03:01 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 854
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
nytraveller: it's not the OP who is mentioning handicap, view, etc, it's nstevey who suggested Priceline in the first place. Please read carefully before passing judgement.
eliztravels2 is offline  
Old May 19th, 2014, 06:20 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I know about the restrictions and have no problems with them as I am aware - just letting the OP know.
nstevey is offline  
Old May 19th, 2014, 06:58 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,716
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
You can save lots by staying at a hotel OUTSIDE the city near a Metro stop. Several times I have gone into DC from the Greenbelt station (end of the Green line).
Get off at Union station and head south to the Capitol then head west along the Mall. Glad to see that the Washington Monument is now reopened.
tomfuller is offline  
Old May 19th, 2014, 07:03 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
SkruffieLou, DC is not usully that crowded in November, keeping in mind that it's a heavily touristed city year-round. So check out Dupont Circle--the Dupont Circle Hotel and The Tabard Inn in particular--to see if you can find something in your price range; Penn Quarter is also a well-located nieghborhood, but I am not sure about hotel rates.

Finally, read some recent threads here about trips to DC. There are a couple of places near the Zoo that should be in your budget. Good luck.

nyt, really?
NewbE is offline  
Old May 19th, 2014, 07:44 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've been to DC a number of times in November and December and rarely had trouble finding a room for under $200 a night. But it really depends on when in November you are coming. You get the best deals on Thanksgiving week, especially if you arrive on Thanksgiving Day. Otherwise, the city can be expensive in November because of conventions.

I often stay in either the Penn Quarter or Dupont Circle areas, but I came recently (in April) and stayed in the West End at the Embassy Suites on 22nd Street NW (not the better located Convention Center location), and I enjoyed that. It was a longer walk to the Metro, but not that bad. I paid a bit more than $200 per night by booking a month in advance, but that was a good deal for the beginning of cherry blossom season.

You can certainly stay outside the District, but if you want a good location, I generally prefer staying inside DC itself rather than in Alexandria or Arlington.
doug_stallings is offline  
Old May 19th, 2014, 11:19 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Woodley Guest House has a few rooms that meet your budget and the price includes breakfast. It is out by the zoo but is very close to the Metro that will take you anywhere. It is in a nice neighborhood with many dining options.
gardendiva is offline  
Old May 19th, 2014, 02:50 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 11,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you can't find something in your price range in DC itself, take a look at the Americana Hotel in Arlington. www.americanahotel.com Comfortable rooms, a pretty decent free continental breakfast, free wi-fi, and it's an easy walk or hotel shuttle ride to a Metro station.

Lee Ann
ElendilPickle is offline  
Old May 20th, 2014, 03:24 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 854
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I second gardendiva's suggestion for Woodley Park Guest House. We stayed there recently for 3 nights and loved it. Metro is just across the street and gets you wherever you want to go quickly.
eliztravels2 is offline  
Old May 20th, 2014, 08:03 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If your stay is over a weekend, DC is a great place for Priceline bidding because many hotels that are usually full of business people clear out on weekends.
schlegal1 is offline  
Old May 20th, 2014, 10:47 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Woodley Park guest house sounds fine if it's in the budget. They do have 1-2 rooms that are less than $200, but most are not.

It is true that if you have a choice of days, the weekend is almost always cheaper than during the week in DC, due to business travelers. And November and early December shouldn't be as bad a rates as some more peak periods. I'd just use Priceline, probably.
Christina is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
crepes_a_go_go
United States
6
Mar 10th, 2010 05:27 AM
mugs1717
United States
13
May 24th, 2006 10:22 AM
chris
United States
14
Aug 1st, 2002 01:11 PM
kelly
United States
16
Jun 21st, 2002 10:25 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -