My main objective is to view the fireworks without getting into the crowds-I thought this might be a possible way to do it-that's all.

I can't imagine any room at the Willard being unacceptable. Its a grand, beautiful hotel. I stayed there about 12 years ago, and I don't recall what view I had, but the room was perfect. Its your call, but I would be happy with any view. Only you know what you want to spend on a room.

Good to know...with all the positives on tripadvisor it must be wonderful-courtyard view or not. With the Cherry Blossom Package-it is really comparable to many of the other downtown hotels-if not less.

While the courtyard is small, gray and surprisingly dead -- I walked through there today on my way back from lunch at Old Ebbitt's -- there's no question about the quality of the rooms. They are great.

I did notice the coffee shop on the courtyard had closed. (There are plenty of non-hotel places for coffee nearby -- across the street, Borders has a nice little coffee area and their a Corner Bakery there too.)

You'll be fine and end up glad you decided to spring for it.

After 30+ years in Dc I had to read here that there are fireworks for the Cherry Blossom week! If off the SW waterfront, you won't see much from downtown hotels. New Hotel Mandarin would be cool or L'Enfant Plaza. Terrible seafood restaurants on the waterfront (Phillips) and new H2O trendy nightclub with restaurant. Not sure I'd recommend going down there. Willard is one of the classiest in town - Robin's

Robin's bar high class and restaurant is wonderful. Next door is Occidental, also good.

Yikes, haunted by homophones. There's no their there.

I agree about the waterfront places and would like to see a trip report on the Mandarin because at some point I might want to put some visitors there.

Willard Room is good, although it's been a few years since I've eaten there. Not a great value, though, as it seems to carry the hotel dining ``overhead'' to an extreme. There are much better options nearby.

Perhaps if LL's senior mom wanted an old-time, big-room, pomp-and-pretense experience, it might be worth a splurge.

The reason buildings cannot be higher than the top of the capitol dome (NOT the Washington Monument) has absolutely nothing to do with "security" which for some local bureau-in-the-box-crats is the "reason" for everything..it all has to do with so-called aesthetics of the city, etc.

The Willard is no more "pretentious" than some of the people who live here, probably less so than many. Enjoy your stay there; just don't look across the street and wonder if it would have been cheaper to stay at the J.W. Marriott.

I have looked at both Willard and JW Marriott-there's not a lot of difference if you book Willards's CB package. Do you say that because JW M. looks really nice and makes one wonder if they could have saved money for a really nice place too?

Go there for a bloody Mary. they have awesome drinks there, and great snacks in the bar too.

The bar is very beautiful too. Very old style.

Don't second guess the Willard, especially against the JW Marriott.

The JW is a nice and perfectly adequate city center hotel, but it has little charm. It's a big convention hotel -- not a plus for me.

The Willard, meanwhile, is a grand hotel. I don't see the hotel as pretentious and never called it such, but the dining room certainly ladles it out.

We all have different values on how much that difference is worth. It sounds like LL got a good one and is in comfort zone. Bully for her.

BTW, the height restriction has been based on the height of the Capitol for ... 95 years. It's actually based on the width of the street in front of the building site.

Thanks everyone-I've learned quite a bit. I'll lie awake thinking about it all-but that's my problem!

Hey, at least we have a consensus on the Round Robin! :)

You're going to have a great trip and your mom is very lucky to have someone take such care.

Thanks-wish I had some control over the cherry blossoms and the weather-I hear it's absolutely beautiful when it does happen.