sart29

Will be traveling to DC next week for services at Arlington for a friend killed in Iraq. Staying only one night. Would appreciate suggestions on where to stay.

Flying into Reagan National. Service is at 9 am on a weekday.

Cost is a concern, but bigger concern is desire to avoid traffic nightmares on the morning of service (my son is driving in to meet me so we will have a car). I don't dare go just by map of hotels as I have attempted driving in DC area before and realize that sometimes you just "can't get there from here."

Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks.

cmcfong

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your friend in service to our country. My heart aches for all his or her loved ones.
My father is buried at Arlington and I frequently visit his grave. I stay at one of the Crystal City Marriott's and take the metro to Arlington. Avoids parking issues and traffic issues. Very convenient.

Intrepid1

Either a hotel, and there are MANY, in the Crystal City area of Arlington or in the Rosslyn area.

Both are convenient to the Metro and you can take the Metro to Arlington Cem. where the station is a short walk to the cem entrance. You would NOT need a car at all.

radiofanatic

no suggestions, just my condolences and thank you and the family for all he/she did.

bardo1

The Quality Inn Iwo Jima is about a one minute walk to Arlington Cemetary.

Unfortunately, you can't walk because it's right across highway 50. It is, however, a VERY short drive.

Rack rates for standard rooms are $89 to $179 per night and the rack rate for suites is $159. You may pay even less since it's low season. Even the full rates are very low for the area.

Best of luck and so sorry about your friend.

obxgirl

Condolences on the loss of your friend.

I agree with the suggestions made for hotels in Crystal City, Rosslyn or the QI Iwo Jima. The QI is an older hotel, showing its age a bit. Using Priceline will keep your costs down. If you go with PL, I'd stick with Crystal City. You can get a 3 star (Hyatt or Doubletree) in the $70-$80 range during the week.

I wouldn't recommend doing this without a car. If there's a chapel service, the Fort Myer chapel is a couple of miles from the cemetery entrance. The actual gravesite could be as well. Have your son pick you up at your hotel.

MikeT

There's also the Sheraton National, which is less than a mile from the Pentagon and close to the entrance to Ft. Meyer.

Intrepid1

I would definitely plan on utilizing the car services of your relative. Generally you cannot drive into the cemetery itself although if you are a member of a funeral party there is generally an exception.

The Fort Myer Chapels, both old and new, are NOT that far from the cemetery..in fact both of them literally back up to the cemetery walls. The funeral party will make use of additional entrances (directly out of Fort Myer) to the cemetery so the location of the official entrance is somewhat irrelevant. The "old" chapel is often used for funeral services. Have your Son drive you to any ceremonies on-post and on to the grave site.

obxgirl

Intrepid, when I wrote that the chapel is far from the cemetery entrance, the entrance I meant is the one where the metro deposits people. Thanks for clarifying.

sart29

Thanks so much for all the input. And thank you for the kind thoughts as well.

There is a service at the Ft. Myer chapel before the graveside service, so we will be driving.

I was able to get a room at the Marriott Key Bridge for under $100 on Priceline (thanks for the idea, obxgirl).

rb_travelerxATyahoo

The Marriott is at a great location, close to the Rosslyn Metro station and a relatively easy walk over to Georgetown, should you do a little exploring during your stay. While I'd rather stay IN DC, I find Rosslyn the best "second choice" due to the lower prices/taxes and proximaty to the District.