V-Flyer

Any sugggestions of nice hotels that you know about in Washington DC would be gratefully read .... would prefer a central location to be able to walk to the tourist sites please. [:D] Going later this year for the first time....

Thanks, Sunshine

My favourite is the Hay Adams. You can't get any more central (the view from their roof looks DOWN onto the White house)

It's not cheap, but worth it if you're not staying too long....

There really isnt anywhere you can stay that you will be able to walk to the tourist locations. You could stay near Pennsylvania avenue which is handy for the Whitehhouse and The Mall with all the attractions and musueums on offer there - I have stayed at The Intercontinental a few times and it is very nice http://www.washington.intercontinental. ... ndex.shtml - but I have to say the restaurants (apart fromm in the hotels) are lacking IME. However I now always (around 12 times a year) stay in Old Town Alexandria http://visitalexandriava.com/ and this hotel http://www.monaco-alexandria.com/ mainly because there are some fantastic resturants and easy access to the Metro which takes me anywhere I would want to go - plus it is an easy drive to the offices I have to visit either side of the Potomac.

Regards,

Hackneyguy

Thanks for the speedy replies...I will look at the sites. Is the Metro safe and reliable to use? I love walking through cities and hadn't thought about using it... I never even use the tube in London!!

I use the Metro all the time when in Washington and it is very clean and efficient as well as safe.

The link to their website is here.

Hi Sunshine

we stayed at the JW Marriott on Pennsylvania Ave, it was great as we could walk to most places of interest, White House, Lincoln Memorial etc, etc. We were also close to Macy's, always a positive in my opinion, and also Concierge recommended a couple of good restaurants whilst we were there. Only downside was breakfast in hotel not particularly good and they had a really complicated lift system which took some getting used to. If you book, ask for a room overlooking Penn Ave, views are excellent.

I've stayed in Jury's at Dupont Circle which is very convenient for the Metro. The MO in DC is near the Smithsonian museums and within reasonable walking distance of other attractions.

The Metro in DC is great. Very user-friendly and safe.

Stayed at the Washington Suites Hotel on Pennsylvania Ave. Very nice, very near to Foggy Bottom Metro station and 10 min walk to Georgetown.

The Sofitel on Lafayette Square gets a huge [y] from me.

Mrs Kered & I stayed there last September & found it to be a wonderful hotel, very conveniently located to walk to the Mall, Monuments, White House etc.

Theres a metro stop just around the corner for longer excursions.

Couldnt recommend it highly enough [8D]

(Oh & the club sandwhich we got on room service the night we arrived [^])

How long you going for Sunshine?

We hired a car last time we went as the transfers to/from IAD can be pricey, and it worked out cheaper to hire a car for the 4/5 days we were there. It then made it easy for us to drive to the Tysons Galleria shopping mall which is about a 10-15 minute drive from central DC, we could then also visit the 2nd Air & Space museum nearby to IAD on our last day.

If you do this, watch out for hotels and silly parking charges. We stayed at the Residence Inn in central DC, which had a good package rate of ~$130 inc breakfast, Internet and valet parking. Room was your typical Residence inn with a kitchen, dining table etc.

Also stayed at the Embassy Suites in central DC that was good, breakfast is included, and there is an AVIS literally next door if you need to rent a car. It was popular with families which was the only downside for us.

We have been to DC a few times, and really like the city. The last 2 times, we did n't bother with a car, as the Metro and cabs are much more efficient and cheaper than paying to park a car.

We stayed at the Hamilton, Crowne Plaza, and they kindly upgraded us to a suite as we were celebrating our 15th Wedding anniversary.

I event made the effort to head there from the airport once when I was snowed in at Dulles.

The Mall and the White House are walkable if you are fit and healthy. Or you can jump on the Metro as there is a station just over the road.

[^] Thank you to everyone for your helpful advice and suggestions....they are gratefully receieved [:)] I will be busy doing my research on the prices of all the hotels mentioned now.

Richard, we are going for a week. Our flights are already booked on a BA award in CW to Dulles. We thought we would take a taxi into Washington and be car-less for the first half of the week and then hire a car and explore further. Shopping isn't an important issue as I travel a lot to other areas of the US - I am just a novice to the delights of Washington!! I have also had bad experiences with families and Embassy Suites........

Once again many thanks to all...
Sunshine

Just a note to say a big thank you to Kered as we decided to stay at the Sofitel and it was perfect. Location, room and staff were great. Mr Sunshine is still in shock as it is so rare for me to accept the first room offered!!!!

Thank you all for your input. We had a great first time in DC.

Sunshine[8D]

Glad you enjoyed my hometown. Interesting area to stay in.

Might I ask what you did in DC? Always interested in what all the tourist do .

quote:Originally posted by Sunshine
Just a note to say a big thank you to Kered as we decided to stay at the Sofitel and it was perfect. Location, room and staff were great. Mr Sunshine is still in shock as it is so rare for me to accept the first room offered!!!!

Thank you all for your input. We had a great first time in DC.

Sunshine[8D]


Couldn't agree more - I always stay at the Sofitel when in DC. The restaurant there is good too.[y]

quote:Originally posted by Sunshine
Just a note to say a big thank you to Kered as we decided to stay at the Sofitel and it was perfect. Location, room and staff were great.

Youre very welcome [y]

Im absolutely delighted Sunshine you enjoyed the Sofitel.

quote:Originally posted by Sunshine... Mr Sunshine is still in shock as it is so rare for me to accept the first room offered!!!!

It was the first time we stayed at a hotel where the room was exactly like the pictures, shown on the web site.

Benjamin,

I am sure we just did what every tourist does in DC!! In one day we started very early at the FDR monument and walked from there via all the other monuments, Lincoln, Korean War, Vietnam War, WW2 to the Washington and then on to the Air & Space Museum, lunch in the Native American then walked on to the Capitol and did the guided tour before ending up in the Library of Congress............and boy did my feet know it!!!![|)] Another day we started early at Arlington before the crowds and walked around there then on to Georgetown for lunch. We walked around the outside of the White House as I applied too late to go inside.[:w] I had my photo taken with a cardoard cut out of Obama[:w] and we ate in Georgia Browns and Old Ebbits Grill and an Italian that I can't remember the name!! I loved the portrait museum too. It has been a long time since we played at being tourists and it was exhausting. We left DC and drove to Anapolis for a few nights and then on to Fredrick for the rest of the week.

Next time if there is one I will have to ask you for a local's recomendations!!

Sunshine[8D]