So, my buddy and I are planning our annual Baseball Trip, and one of this year’s stops is Washington, D.C.
We’ll be catching a Monday afternoon Nats game, then staying in town for just one night. The ballpark neighborhood doesn’t seem to offer much in the way of lodging or nightlife, but I’ve had good experiences in the past with D.C.'s Metro, so we figure we can stay just about anywhere in the city and take advantage of public transportation to and from the game. (There will definitely be beer consumed, so no drinking and driving allowed.)
We are not interested in the National Mall or any tourist attractions. Been there, done that. What we want is:
A safe neighborhood
Easy access (walking distance) to the Metro
Affordable lodging (doesn’t have to be Motel 6 but not Ritz-Carlton either)
A selection of nearby watering holes. We’re partial to neighborhood tavern-type places or sports bars; no dance clubs need apply.
I just got back last week. We stayed at the State Plaza hotel on E street NW right by GWU. The metro was four blocks away, there was plenty or places to eat and drink due to the college customers and there was a 24 hour CVS right next door for late night snacks, drinks and an umbrella.
The staff was nice and friendly and rooms were clean and spacious. I would certainly recommend it.
And the cute college girls all around would be a bonus.
Often, the best places to stay in DC are not in DC proper, but in Virginia or Maryland. There are motels near to Metro stations such as Silver Spring, Rosslyn, Crystal City and King Street which can often offer cheaper rates than motels in the District, as long as you are happy to commute.
I’ve found that the Virginia (Crystal City especially) hotels are ridiculously expensive. I travel to D.C. a lot, and my best recommendation is to go on Priceline and bid $100 for a Dupont Circle 3.5* hotel. 9 times out of ten you’ll get the Washington Hilton on Connecticut, four blocks from the Metro and surrounded by hundreds of great independant bars and restaurants. The hotel itself is very nice but food and drink is extremely expensive. The nearby places are where to go for sure. There is a liquor store across the street if you need a nightcap. Better than paying $7 a drink in the hotel.
The other 1 time out of 10 you’ll get the Omni Shoreham, which is one block from the Metro and a huge very nice hotel.
ETA: With taxes and other fees, you’ll end up paying $130, but that is $70 or more less than what you’d pay in Crystal City in my experience.
Best place to stay in downtown DC on a budget: the Hotel Harrington. It’s a couple of blocks from two different Metro stations, and the rooms are a good deal (two twins: $135). It’s a bit run down (it’s one of the oldest hotels in DC), but clean.
The Phoenix Park is another good option - older hotel but nicely maintained, reasonable rates and specials, and the Dubliner and Irish Times are right downstairs.
Union Station is right across the street for Metro connections, and the Capitol Hill bars are close by.
They have a Nationals package on their website - might want to check it out.
One other possibility is the Red Roof Inn in Chinatown. The neighborhood is pretty safe (not exactly pretty, though), it is about a block from the Green line metro which takes you straight to the ballpark with no transfers, and there’s a good number of bars all around the neighborhood. Notable ones include RFD (hundreds of different beers), Fado (Irish pub that gets raucous), and an ESPN Zone a short walk away.
I see someone else mentioned the neighborhood around GWU, it has a lot of hotels for all the visiting parents to the school and so prices are reasonable.