lorenkahle

My wife and I are taking our two kids (ages 11 & 8) to Washington DC the week of July 4th! We are driving up from Florida and wanted to hear some suggestions on hotels to stay in or near the city. I've heard the advice to stay near the Metro, which we plan to do, but are there any hotels or chains that are the most convenient? don't charge a parking fee? north, south, east, or west side of the city best? My price range is somewhat flexible, up to maybe $150 a night? preferably closer to $100 a night and not in the boonies

bardo1

lorenkahle,

Stationmasters is a website that gives area maps around each of the Metro stations. It is the best way to located hotels closest the the Metro stops and shows you EXACTLY how close they are. Hotels show up as RED SQAURES.

A bare-bones, no-frills, budget hotel room with a double bed in DC and the close-in suburbs goes for around $200 a night. Only hotels out the suburrbs offer free parking. Most hotels charge beteween $20-$30 a day for parking.

Also, you are coming in one of the most popular times of year to come to DC.

Also, if this is 2008 you are talking about - it is considered "last second" and may hotels will be booked solid.

Your price range for what you want to get for it is way, way, beyond unrealistic, it is impossible.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the sooner you adjusts your expectations the better, IMO.

There are several good areas near MEtro stations that will suite your family. The "stationmaster" maps showing them and the least expensive hotels in each zone is listed for your convenience.

I would call each and every hotel recommendation listed below, see who has rooms, and find your best deal. Areas are listed in decreasing level of convenience - Area 1 is nmost convenient. Any of the are "OK", however.

Area 1 - Gallery Place
http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../gallrypl.html
Try Hotel Harrington, Red Roof Inn Chinatown, and Hampton Inn Convention Center


Area 2 - Foggy Bottom
http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../foggybot.html
Try River Inn and State Plaza Hotel

Area 3 - McPhearson Square
http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../mcphersn.html
Try Hilton Garden Inn

The above are in DC, you should also try the nearby suburbs in VA which are a little cheaper (but not much) and often have free parking.

Area 4 - Crtystal City VA
http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../crystalc.html
Try Hampton Inn Crystal City

Area 5 - Courthouse VA
http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../courthse.html
Try Hilton Garden Inn Courthouse Arlington

Area 6 - Ballston, VA
http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../ballston.html
Try Comfort Inn Ballston

Dukey

There is also a Holiday Inn in the Ballston area which is just as close to the Metro as the Comfort Inn.

There are SEVERAL hotels/motels in ROSSLYN (the name of the Metro stop)which are within walking distance to the Metro and even within faurrhter walking distance (across Key Bridge) to Georgetown so check those out as well.

There are also other hotels/motels in Crystal City which are not listed above. Parking costs I cannot really address as I am sure they vary as was mentioned above.

Dukey

Also, check out the King Street Metro stop in nearby Alexandria

mscarls

The Golden Tulip Bethesda Court is about 3 blocks from the Bethesda Metro stop and close to a large variety of good restaurants and some shopping. We stayed in an Executive King room there several years ago and would again. It's a little far from downtown D.C., but that's why it's not overly expensive.
The Golden Tulip chain is mainly located outside of the U.S.

Ann1

For the future I would suggest http://www.lenfantplazahotel.com It has great weekend rates and is in the center of everything.

The problem is it's booked. That could be a probem since it is 4th of July weekend in DC.

You are going to have to follow what the above people have posted about being a little out of town.

DoctorCarrie

You could also try checking out Silver Spring, MD, which is a 17 minute metro ride from Union Station on the Red Line. However, I agree with the above comments that you will have trouble finding a place for the week of the 4th (assuming you can find any availability at all) at the rates you're looking for. Especially if you want to be near a Metro station.

If you don't mind being slightly further out, you could also try further up on the MD side of the Red Line (look for hotels near Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook, White Flint). Parking at the metro is cheap and it's only a 25-30 minute metro ride in to the center of the District from there.

lss1

I enjoy staying in Crystal City, VA. Right now the Sheraton is offering 3 nights/ for the price of two. It is adjacent to the Metro and is a lovely area. (I am not sure if July 4 would be a "blackout date" for the promotion.
I was just checking for July 11 weekend and it was around 228 for 3 nights!!

lss1

http://www.starwoodpromos.com/capita...=JUN_08_ES_O14

The link to the one night free...there are many hotels to choose from.

thursdaysd

You could see if http://www.kaloramaguesthouse.com/wo...location.shtml has space for your dates. This is a B&B, not a hotel, but the price is good, and it's near the zoo, which could be a plus with kids.

Christina

Your request really is impossible, I agree. I think it might always be impossible, but def. for the fourth of July ($100 a night in DC with included parking for a room for four people!).

The Phoenix Park in DC near Union Station is a convenient choice as it is near the metro, cheap food court for kids, and within walking distance of the Mall for the fireworks. It is really convenient to be walking that night, not counting on taking the metro as it's a zoo. Their doubles are available for around $160, I think, but that won't do you any good with a family of four.

Their website seems to be connected to some other hotels, at least the booking site is, and it suggests the Churchill for $154 a night for a premier double-double which apparently has two double beds. That is actually a very good rate for that location for that weekend, I think, and about four blocks from the Dupont Circle metro. You'd have to find a parking garage, no doubt -- there is one nar the Hilton that is public, but they are maybe $15-20 a day.

I think with the car, if you aren't willing to pay for parking, you'll really have to stay outside the city. No hotel can afford to give away parking, real estate is too valuable in the city.

travelaw

You might want to try plugging your dates into hotwire.com. Once you do that, sometimes you can match the amenities to this list to see what hotel it might be:

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showtopic=91&

Old Town Alexandria and Crystal City are very close to DC -- the hotel will probably have a shuttle to the metro. Arlington is may also be a good choice. Georgetown is in the city, but not very convenient to the metro, unless you are staying near Dupont Circle. Anything close to DC is going to charge you $20-30 a day for parking, so you should factor that into the price.