The Folger is having an exhibit of items related to Elizabeth I, a must-see for a Tudor buff such as myself.
Hubby and I have been looking at hotels, and we’d like some advice. I know there are some scary neighborhoods around the area, and a hotel is not likely to advertise that they’re located in one on their website.
A few of the options that Travelocity gave me that looked pretty good were Alexandria, Virgina (Washington Suites or the Extended Stay America), Laurel, MD (Quality Inns & Suites), and Arlington, VA (Virginian Suites).
I’d like to pay around $100 or less per night, but I’m not sure if in a big city like DC that such a rate would have me staying in a dump in a bad neighborhood.
If any DC-area Dopers have any suggestions, they’d be most appreciated.
Don’t even go near SouthEast. Arlington is pretty decent, though the traffic ranges from not bad to Don’t Even Bother Driving. I’ve never heard much bad about Laurel. Alexandria is decently ritzy (disclaimer: I grew up in Fairfax County, which is known for being rather wealthy. More than one of my classmates had parents who were both lawyers).
The Quality Inn in Laurel, if it’s the one on Rte. 1, is in a good area. In fact, that’s the one right off Laurel Lake, I believe. I used to live in that town.
Then again, if you’re coming downtown, it’s a bit of a drive from there, although not horrible. Arlington and Alexandria, of course, are much closer. And Laurel’s not near Metrorail, although there’s a MARC station there.
Stay in the Maryland or Virginia suburbs, but near a Metro station. You can’t park in D.C. anyway, plus all the museums are close to each other, so walking is easy. The metro system is wonderful - clean, safe, and on time. I don’t know MD at all, but Alexandria or Arlington would be nice. Alexandria is a beautiful place, by the way. Lots of historical sites, plus good food and galleries. I would vote for Alexandria, as long as you are near King Street Station or Braddock Road.
Arlington’s a good idea. If you stay there, you can get straight on the Orange or Blue line Metro trains, which will take you to Capitol South station, the closest subway stop to the Folger.
Alexandria’s OK, but i find the whole “Old Town” thing, with lots of overpriced “shoppes,” to be a bit lame.
The Hotel Allen Lee. Located in Foggy Bottom, right in the corner of GW’s campus, but seedier dives are hard to find. The Allen Lee has an adverstisement board at Union Station, but it is incredibly touched up. Inside, some of the doors don’t even fit the hinges.
Dang! People keep asking question regarding places I’ve been, but I don’t remember the names of the hotels I stayed in. We stayed in the neatest little hotel, right next to a little teeny “quick rip” (like a family owned 7-11). They had the best fresh squeezed juice. And the neatest little suites.
DO go to the antique areas (I think they’re in Virginia).
I would recommend Crystal City as there are a plethora of hotels there, and one of the metro lines runs right through it. Crystal City also has a large underground mall. Most of the hotel rates are lower on the weekends because M-F they’ve got a captive business travel clientele.
I’ve stayed at the Hampton Inn in Alexandria many times–quite decent, not far from metro stops and Old Town. I believe it’s on Rte 7 or Leesburg Pike or the street that turns into King Street once you get into Old Town. The last time was 3-4 years ago; the cost was just under $100 per night. It was for work, though, and we might have been getting a lower rate for the volume of business.
I went on Priceline and put in a $100 bid for a 4star hotel and got the Watergate. Can’t beat it for amenities and class. It is also convenient to cabs and metro stops.
By the way staying in DC beats the hell out of Alexandria or any burb…IMHO…
Try the Hotel Harrington. There is no better location for the price ($89 for two). It’s three blocks from the White House, two from the Mall, and a block and a half from Ford’s Theater. Not luxurious, but clean and comfortable. It’ll be about a 15 minute Metro ride to get to the Folger Library.
Well, I have only stayed in Crystal City and Alexandria, but from my experience, Alexandria is farther from Metro stations than Crystal City, but Alexandria has a better atmosphere, my .02…
Um, I’d like to point out that one of the best values in Washington is “SE” so that blanket statement isn’t quite right. The Holiday Inn Capitol is SE but it’s one block from the mall. I’ve stayed there twice and haven’t been shot yet.
It’s probably more than you want to spend, Lissa (although it’s a great value) but I had to mention this lest another reader saw its address and decided it’s “SE” location made it a ticket to sure and violent death.