hi everybody, i’m going to try to get my husband to go on vacation, take a little trippy trip to DC. i haven’t been in years, and don’t know where to stay that is decent. the only place i’ve stayed is Sofitel. it’s a great location, an area i’m familiar with. but what would you recommend?
BTW, i would rather be near the Dupont or Georgetown vacinities.
DuPont Circle is the best part of town to stay in if you are interested in sight seeing.
DuPont Circle is the best part of town to stay in if you are interested in sight seeing.
Second that. Dupont is in central DC and close to everything.
Also, if you get the chance check out the Newseum.
We stayed at L’Enfant. Nice hotel with the Metro in the basement. We have also stayed at the Embassy Suites closer to Georgetown. It is also a really nice hotel, although the Metro is about a 1/2 mile…so a little walk. It is really close to an excellent seafood restaurant.
Bernie
Not sure near you want and pricey but nice location is the JW Marriott. By the White House. If you go, there is a hotel across from the White House. I think Washington Hotel (sorry, not sure) Anyway, they have a covered, open air bar/patio on the top floor and you can see into the White House grounds, etc. Gives a different perspective on the security, etc. Don’t remember the food being all that great but the view is pretty cool. Marine One left while we were sitting there as well.
Run from there across the Potomac by the Lady Bird monument, by the Lincoln Memorial, by WWII up the mall, etc. is what wife and I did a few years ago. Very nice.
I’ll second the JW Marriott. Nice property, great location.
drn92
If you are going to stay by the White House there is only one hotel, The Hay Adams. Its very old and the rooms are small but the place oozes style and elegance. Last time I stayed there I met Cokie Roberts and her 100 year old mother having afternoon martinis in the bar. There’s a sundeck on the roof that is locked and if you want to go out there they have to call the secret service in advance to let them know you’ll be out there because it has a clear line of sight to the White House living quarters and they get nervous when they see people on rooftops so close by.
Beautiful old place. The Willard is a similar style place and its where Mark Twain invented the term “lobbyist” because so many wounded civil war veterans hung out in the hotel lobby hoping to meet President Grant and ask him for a job.
http://www.tabardinn.com/
DuPont Circle area.
Fantastic.
Don’t know where to stay since DC is commuting distance for me - but do hubby a favour and take him to the Capital Ale House - very good (but not excellent) micro brew
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we are staying at the JW mariott in 2 weeks.
i have also stayed at the Renaissance mayflower numerous times. excellent hotel.
I live about ten minutes from Dupont Circle (by bike) so I never stay in the hotels, but I’d be partial to staying in Dupont if it was me. An old Jury’s hotel was just renovated and reopened, now called the Dupont Hotel. It’s right on the Circle so super close to the Metro and it looks pretty nice. Some decent bars and restaurants right in the neighborhood too. The Tabard Inn is very cute - and it’s a nice place to have dinner too. It’s also right near the circle and the metro. There’s also a Kimpton hotel (forget which one, Topaz, I think) a couple of doors down from the Tabard. Both are on N street between 17th and 18th (one block from my office). My organization always puts our board up at the St. Gregory - a little further from the circle, but still in the neighborhood, around M and 20th, I believe. Our staff and board seem to think it’s a pretty nice place. The Dupont and St Gregory’s are a little pricerier, I think. For really swanky, if you’re going all out, hit the Ritz Carlton in Georgetown - but that’s at least $350/night.
oh, and north of Dupont - I ride my bike by this hotel every single morning, but I’ve never actually been inside. It just looks like a cute, mid-range hotel to me:
http://www.thechurchillhotel.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=36
The new happening spot in DC is Chinatown, near the Verizon Center (Wizards, Caps). While there are lots of good bars and restaurants in the neighborhood, you don’t necessarily feel like you’re in DC. It’s pretty touristy and there are a lot of chains there - e.g. Hooters, Fuddruckers. I think there might even be a Cheesecake Factory. Kind of feels like you could be in just about any suburban “outdoor mall.”
The JW Marriot is really close to the Mall and the White House. It’s a pretty big, typical mid-range Marriot. Last time my parents stayed there they were pretty disappointed (and they’re not that picky).
Haven’t posted here in ages, but after 15 years of living here, I still think DC is a pretty cool place to live, so I had to chime in - and I think it’s a great idea for a quick vacation. Have fun!
thanks very much! dupont circle, adams morgan, georgetown, (to me) that’s the beat.
thanks for the recos, really appreciate it!
i will refamiliarize myself with the train before coming, it’s been a few years.