Where to stay in DC ? Please help!
 

We are planning a trip that will begin with 4-5 days in DC in early to mid Oct. I have done alot of research and still have no idea where to stay. We are a family of four, kids ages 3 and 18 months (well behaved). Definitely want very nice accomodations, but not stuffy and welcoming to kids. We will need 2 cribs and either a large room or a suite. I can splurge a bit but not totally over the top prices. Mainly, we want a relaxing time with our kids, easy access to metro and not alot of travel in cabs(no carseats)We will want to do Smithsonian, monuments, and zoo/aquarium. Also, I don't want to travel too far to restaurants. I read horrible reviews of the Loews L'Enfant and that scared me away. Otherwise their programs for kids were appealing (cribs,toys, and child proofed rooms). This is our first vacation in over 3 years and I really want to do it right. Also, fun things to do with kids (1.5 & 3) I might not have read about. Please help, I welcome any and all suggestions! Thanks so much!!

We are trying out New Hampshire Suites Hotel (Best Western) this time around- three beds- it seemed hard to find more than just double doubles- this inn has a queen, a double and a pull out sofa- the rooms seem large and have a kitchenette, wireless internet and breakfast.
I notice the rates have gone up since we booked---summer looks less expensive than in October-- I will write when we get back next week becuase I am not to sure at this point where the hotel is in relation to other sites--we usually walk wherever we go...

Thanks, please let me know how you like it!

Also, everyone, what about the safety of the different areas of town?

Is a pool a must?

If not I'd recommend the Homewood Suites on Mass Ave, great for families...or One Washington Circle.

babiesmama, please see the current thread in this forum on the One Washington Circle hotel, especially the comment on the size and facilities of their suites and their welcoming attitude towards small children. It's just a couple of blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro station, from which you would have quick one-train service to Smithsonian station. Not an inexpensive hotel, but not one of DC's priciest either.

For more inexpensive accommodations just as Metro-convenient, check out the Holiday Inn Key Bridge or Best Western Key Bridge a block or so from the Rosslyn Metro station, one stop (less than five minutes) farther out on the same Metro lines (Orange and Blue) as the Foggy Bottom station, just across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia. Despite the very short extra ride time, because many tourists do not think of staying in Virginia, your accommodation dollar buys a lot more on the other side of the river. The Holiday Inn has a rooftop restaurant, open for three meals a day I think, with a great view of the river and the Monuments which I think you and the kids would enjoy, whichever of these hotels you stay at (the Best Western, just steps away, has no restaurant of its own, I believe.) There are also food stands and fast foods next to the Metro station.

At any of the three hotels and two Metro stops mentioned above, you'd find the walk to Metro safe and pleasant (although you'd need to cross less heavy traffic at Rosslyn.)

Also check out The Churchill -- it is an "all suite" hotel and I think it is often available on priceline. I lived there many years ago when it was an apartment building. It is on Connecticut Ave across from the big Hilton (where Reagan was shot) and a short walk to Dupont Circle. There are tons of restaurants along Connecticut Ave. A couple of umbrella strollers and you should be fine.

Hi y'all thanks so much for the advice, No, a pool is not a must, we have one here at home. I have checked out One Washington Circle a bit, but not into rates yet. Where can I get the best rate, internet booking or calling directly? Also, I was planning to bring a large double stroller, but I imagine that 2 umbrellas would be less bulky. Good idea! One other thing, do we need a car while we are there? We were going to rent one for the second part of the trip, nor including DC. Thanks for all the help, I so appreciate it!

Also, what internet sites are the best for getting a good rate?

We stayed at the Williard w/2 kids,it was very nice w/ large rooms and a great location. Is your 3 year old still in a crib?

Capital Reservations is an excellent site for getting good rates throughout DC.
I have used them many times. my recommendation for a neighborhood would be the Dupont Circle area. There are plenty of restaurants in walking distance and places like CVS for those last minute items. the neighborhood is safe for walking around. There is also a metro station there.
The National Geographic Society is within walking distance and has an exhibit on dogs right now. The zoo is a couple of stops away on the metro. We were there last week--be sure to get to the elephant house for the 10 a.m. "bath" for the baby elephant.

Babies:

Its not necessary to stay in D.C. to have accessibility to sights. I'd suggest Rosslyn's Holiday Inn. I stayed there way back in 1990 and enjoyed my stay because I was just over the Potomac River from D.C. Also, as I remember it, there were restaurants all around the area and this area is relatively safe (I never felt threatened by crime). The Metro Blue Line (which has the Smithsonian stop) was about 2-3 blocks away from this hotel and it took about 15 min tops to get into D.C. You might want to check it out on the Holiday Inn website or do a search on Lodging.com re: hotels in Rosslyn, VA. I wouldn't suggest hotels too far out. If you wouldn't want to stay in VA, I'd suggest Bethesda, MD, on or very near Wisconsin Avenue as there are many places you can dine at because the avenue is filled with restaurants and shops. I remember taking this avenue all the way down to Georgetown and seeing block after block of places to eat and shop.

We stayed at the Doubletree Suites on New Hampshire Ave last month. We had a suite with bedroom, living room with sofa bed and full kitchen. The kitchen allowed us to eat breakfast and several suppers in the room, a real money saver with kids (ours are 11 & 14). The Foggy Bottom metro is 5 minutes away. Very friendly staff. We paid $149 a night booking through the motel website. I always check multiple internet booking sites whenever we travel and have never found a lower price than booking directly through the hotel with a AAA discount. (Never used Priceline)

Mgmargate,
Thanks, I will check out the Willard. This is a special trip for us. DH is selling business after 20 long years of hard work and we definitely want this to be special. Yes, she is only 2.5 now, but will be three by the time of the trip, and she LOVES her crib at home. She doesn't even show signs of wanting a big girl bed. I thought about having her sleep with one of us, but I don't think that would work. She won't even do that at home. Definitely wants her own space. Besides, I don't want to set a precedent, do I?

The Willard looks gorgeous!! I am definitely leaning towards staying there. Did anyone else have alot of trouble with noise therre?

Where did the noise issue come from?

On tis website, I saw reviews from people who had gone there and said the walls were paper thin, that you could hear the people in the next room's conversation. I have stayed in a noisy Fairmont once and never want to do it again, esp. w/ kids napping, sleeping etc... my son is an angel 99% of the time but if you wake him up before he is ready...look out. Did you have noise issues?

No noise issues. It's an old historic hotel,that review is nonsense.

We tried the Hay Adams on our last trip and while nice the room was 1/3rd smaller than the Williard and the lobby is tiny.

Mgmargate,

Thanks so much. I am still leaning toward the Willard. Checking availability. The Hay Adams doesn't look like a place for small children. Thanks again!

If you can afford the Willard, by all means stay there. While I've never stayed there (I live in the DC area), I know a lot of people who have, and they all rave about it.

babiesmama,
If the prices hsavn't scared you (they would scare me :) ), then go for it. It is a beautiful property and about as convenient as you can get. While staying there means you won't need taxis, people that tend to stay there don't tenf to worry about taxi cost. You'll be close to the Mall, White House, Metro, monuments and the downtown restaurants.

If you want something less expensive, I can recommmend two other choices: 1) Capitol Hill Suites (one block to Capitol South Metro and two blocks to Capitol Bldg - also close to Penn. Ave restaurants.
2) Radisson Barcelo (two blocks to Dupont Circle Metro and in the midst of the many, many Dupont Circle restaurants.

Both of these can be found on the highly recommended discount hotel website http://www.capitolreservations.com/

Thanks Bardo,

I will try capitalreservations. I'm not sure the exact dates of travel yet, so I haven't gotten a firm rate yet on Willard. I know it will be a bit steep, but I may splurge, not sure. Have you stayed at the Radisson, and how are they about having kids?

Kids are not a problem at any hotel in this day and age.Don't worry.

Hi Babies Momma- I hate to have to recommend another web site- but here I go- I ALWAYS read the reviews at trip advisor- www.tripadvisor.com--I have learned so much about the hotels from that site! One reason I went with the one I did--I had been thinking of putting out $$$ and staying at the Fairmont or the St. Regis or the Willard, etc--but decided that the BW had lots of space- room to keep drinks etc in the fridge-so many pricey places don't have that-- and after deciding we would not be in the room much of the day- or evenings probably either- and after reading the reviews at trip advisor- I felt pretty safe in my choice. DH wants do some work in the evenings while there and you do not have to pay extra for the internet connection- where in the pricey hotels it is an extra charge. And some of the reviews have said that some of the hotels networks are not good- so that was one of our decisions to. The reviews rallu helped me out- I was able to scratch quite a few off the list I had right away...
oh- and did I mention that for 5 dollars the BW has an agreement with the Fairmont for use of their health club!! That is pretty good- especially since if you stay at the Fairmont you have to pay to use the health club as well- and I believe one review said it was 20.00 extra...who knows- maybe after a hot day a dip in their pool would be nice...but a pool was not a priority on my list either.

Another on my list was Homewood suites (a Hilton property), oh, and The Hilton Garden Inns. They both had good reviews. They were sold out my dates.

I hope you like the web site as much as I do. You will 4sure love Wa DC- this is our third trip- love to visit there...

Also!! In the future- make sure your hotel is not under construction- I have noticed in my surfing a couple in DC are being fixed up this summer...I have learned also before I book a room to ask if there are railroad tracks or hospitals near by...after once staying at a Holiday Inn right on the railroad tracks.

I have found the best rates for hotels are at their own web sites. All rates and available rooms show...I have found internet special rates are better than AAA.

I have found Turbo Trip (www.turbotrip.com)is a good search--I often find buy two nights get one free there for some reason I don't find on other hotel booking sites...

I will tell you my all time favorite site- is luxurylink.com. I have used them in the past- just know what you want- check prices and date availability at the hotel web site- and make your bid!

Oh- and I slept in a crib until I was 4--LOL- :)

What does lol mean?

Here's a second for the Doubletree Suites on New Hampshire Ave. recommended in a post above. I stayed there last year with my wife and 2 children and the accommodations and location were both great. Short walk to Foggy Bottom metro stop, and the area is surrounded by expensive brownstones. We'd definitely stay there again!

mg - lol means "laugh out loud".

Karen

karen: Thanks

The Doubletree Suites on New Hampshire and the Radisson Barcelo are both ones I would recommend. The Doubletree Suites you get a bedroom with separate living/dining area (pull out sofa), as well as a kitchen area with refrigerator, etc. It is possible to prepare some meals in the room. Both hotels are very close to metro -- Doubletree to the Foggy Bottom metro stop and Radisson Barcelo to the DuPont Station stop.

You and your children will find the zoo fun. The aquarium in D.C. is not much to speak of, very small and dark, but it might be perfect for such little ones; I do occasionally take my grandchildren there. (The really nice aquarium is in Baltimore.)

A place that might be good for the children is the sculpture garden at the National Gallery -- it is outdoors and has kinds of sculpture that children really enjoy, e.g. a gigantic eraser. There is a small cafeteria in it, although I'm not sure if it is open only in the summer.
I will think on other things to do that might be fun for the little ones.

Trips4me,

Great advice! I think a fridge and an area to fix snacks is a great idea. But what is the BW you mentioned?

It is the Best Western Hampshires Suites....BUT I have been checking in every so often with the Hilton property- Homewood Suites- and I found a 1 bedroom suite with two doubles (like I said- most hotels have doubles with doubles and not queens) and I made the reservation there also!

So now I have two- I will probably go with the Hilton property becuase I have Hilton Honors points. They have a "hot" breakfast- I think- I am wondering if it is like the Embasssy suites breakfasts (also a Hilton property). Homewood Suites is #3 at tripadvisor.

I have reservations at BW for only 119.00 a night(they have gone UP too for the same weekend for 149.00)- HS are at 129..so not that big a price difference...the parking is a lot more than at the Best Western- but I have read on Fodors that I will probably be able to find street parking around the Embassies- I just do not want to pay 26.00 a day for parking- I am a tightwad that way...I also found a great site today that shows all the public parking and stations and maps with all the locations and hotels- it is great!
www.stationmasters.com

If anyone has any advice- Homewood Suites or Best Western Suites- I would appreciate a heads up! TIA!

We stayed at the Best Western New Hampshire Suties a couple of years ago. It's rather small and seedy and the breakfast selections were sparse. I'd choose another place if the cost was comparable.

We reserved as "one bedroom" suite and it was actually one room with a narrow part in the middle.

Thanks Anony- I read that somewhere else too- I believe Homewood actually has a seperate room- I will write up a short review when I get back--I am leaning that way now- thanks for your input!-
and so that I am not hyjacking this thread- :)- here is another site I found -well it is Yahoo maps- but if you plug in an address there you can find parking and other info related to the address you plug in- here is Homewood for example:
http://tinyurl.com/6e4mz

Yahoo Maps- I Learn something new every day! (I have just used Mapquest in the past!) :)

Homewood doesn't look too far from Chinatown- love to go there for dinner-there is a warning on one review that says to watch your address- not to go beyond 14 th st east of Mass. ave etc etc.
(New Orleans French Quarter was that way too- safe streets to a point and then don't stray)..the reviewer recom. getting the scoop from the conciege...

We just came back from DC. Stayed at the Lincoln Suites in downtown. We had free continental bkft and free cookies and milk in the evening. The metro is 1& half block from hotel. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance. Hotel is located at L Street and 18. We were there for 1 week and did not use our van all week.

Y'all have been so helpful. I'm still trying to decide between the Willard and the Doubletree Suites. We definitely wanted to stay in a really nice hotel, but I am weighing the benefits of a place where I can easily fix snacks and meals for the kids when they are hungry and keep juice in the fridge, etc...I am thinking that the trip would be mor enjoyable if it was more like home for them. Of course, I haven't asked if they have a fridge in the rooms or suites at the Willard. Does anyone know?

If you mean mini bar,Of course .Other than that I don't knpw.

Most hotels that don't automatically include a fridge in their rooms will provide one on request. I recommend that you call the hotel directly.

The Lincoln Suites had both a refrigerator and microwave.

Great idea, thanks!