Washington DC - Suites and best location?

[dancingirl21]

DH and I are taking DS1 to DC for his 10th birthday. We are going Friday afternoon - Monday night in June. As such, we would love to stay somewhere very close to a lot of the attractions. We know we will likely need to take the Metro to some of them and that is fine. But walkable to many is great. 

Also we would like to stay in a 1 bedroom suite. I have seen a few options online, but for those in the know, are the couches in the living room area generally pull-out couches? I'm having such a hard time figuring that out, which seems strange!

If we aren't right downtown, any other great locations? DH and I have stayed in DuPont Circle before and liked that area. 

[lurkerlou]

Washington Suites
[phone]
g.co/kgs/aMfRRo

We stayed here a few years ago. It's in Alexandria so we drove over the bridge and parked near what was on our agenda for the day. Our room had a separate bedroom and kitchen which was great for making lunches to bring along.

[bears]

We stayed here in the Capital Holiday Inn in November in a one bedroom suite. The couch in the living room pulls out and it's a completely separate bedroom for the adults to sleep. It also had a microwave, sink, and little fridge area in the living room. It's about a five minute walk to the air and space museum. The big downside to staying in this area is that there are not a ton of dining options close. It's about a 10-15 minute walk to the wharf and about a five minute walk to the metro. There's a restaurant on-site with a nice breakfast buffet. We stayed there previously and love being so close to the mall. www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/washington/wassm/hoteldetail

We stayed in the Residence Inn Downtown in February 2022 in a true suite with the kids (separate room with King bed, pull out sofa for kids in living room). Nice hotel, nice layout. It was more of a hike to everything. At least 15 minutes, I believe. There are lots of restaurants around, which was nice. There was a continental breakfast there, not much to write home about.
www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/wasdc-residence-inn-washington-dc-downtown/overview/?scid=6c18d49c-9d4b-4246-a281-67fbf278ad3e&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjbagBhD3ARIsANRrqEsrVh42sGNl_iHwHMx4ZaQRjZiA2XoDgGIbY_B3Zbg-_94kHMcg-HEaAqudEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[shortstax]

In a few weeks we’re taking the kids to DC for SB. We’re staying at the Hyatt House at the wharf, so tag me or bump this thread then and I’ll give you a review 😎


ETA to add link: www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/washington-dc/hyatt-house-washington-dc-the-wharf/wasxs?src=adm_sem_crp_chico_crp_ppc_NAM-UnitedStates-DC-Washington-HH-WASXS_google_Evergreen2022_e_hyatt%20house%20washington%20dc&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjbagBhD3ARIsANRrqEsNUXHt67_cCXYPc8J5OU17YghxusMxtAgMIpe0JC_0jO0p6wU_DPcaAuiiEALw_wcB

Ps- apparently there’s a free shuttle from the wharf neighborhood to the national mall area too: www.wharfdc.com/getting-here/southwest-shuttle/

[stemmie]

We've stayed in the Embassy Suites in Alexandria and Crystal City because the cost is reasonable for the area and DS loves the Metro.

Alexandria is nice for evening walks and restaurants.

[basilosaurus]

Old town Alexandria is very nice and walkable with shops and restaurants galore plus Potomac which gives easy access to water taxi. plus easy walking to the metro (with 2 lines), so don't limit yourself to just the district.

I lived there a couple years and drove less than once a week, usually for Costco. Trips into the district were by metro, and we did them regularly. Multiple times a week for food, performance, Smithsonians. Although we started from work usually which was a few stops closer but nbd.

[Patsy Baloney]

Is the construction on the yellow/blue line around Alexandria finished? I thought it was going down for a pretty long time.

We almost always stay in Alexandria in Old Town, but on our most recent visit, the Metro situation pushed us up to Arlington. That was super convenient. So many of the metro lines run to that station, it felt like we could hop on any train at the end of the day and go right back to the hotel.

[bartholomew]

Mar 12, 2023 15:39:08 GMT -5 Patsy Baloney said:

Is the construction on the yellow/blue line around Alexandria finished? I thought it was going down for a pretty long time.

We almost always stay in Alexandria in Old Town, but on our most recent visit, the Metro situation pushed us up to Arlington. That was super convenient. So many of the metro lines run to that station, it felt like we could hop on any train at the end of the day and go right back to the hotel.

The blue line is running (to King St and Braddock Road stops in Alexandria) but the yellow line is still out of service for bridge construction (scheduled to reopen in May, but it’s WMATA so who knows). It opens up Old Town/Carlyle neighborhood as an option for hotels, but can take 45 mins to get into the District depending on where you’re going.

[suzyp]

Do not stay in Alexandria if you plan to be in DC most of the time you are there. Like PP over the weekend, it can take awhile to get into DC and there is a healthy walk to the metro.

I would look to the Penn Quarter/Chinatown area - or somewhere on more than one metro line. The hotel rates in DC have been pretty nuts lately, so if you have to stay in VA, I would stay in Arlington - and on the orange/silver line due to the yellow line issues.

[dancingirl21]

Thanks, all. We are pretty willing to spend some money to be closer since we are there for a short time, and this is for DS1’s birthday.

Has anyone stayed at The Salamander (used to be Mandarin Oriental)? We are looking at that for a splurge.

[mala]

Mar 12, 2023 18:55:27 GMT -5 dancingirl21 said:

Thanks, all. We are pretty willing to spend some money to be closer since we are there for a short time, and this is for DS1’s birthday.

Has anyone stayed at The Salamander (used to be Mandarin Oriental)? We are looking at that for a splurge.

So I gooled it and it just came up with the one in Middleburg... which is not in DC. But then I looked again and I assume you mean the one by the capital. I haven't stayed there but location wise it would be great for what you want.

EDIT: I'll also add that there's a 3 day comiccon at the convention center June 16-18, be aware if your looking at hotels on that side of the city that weekend.

[dancingirl21]

Mar 12, 2023 19:40:05 GMT -5 mala said:

Mar 12, 2023 18:55:27 GMT -5 dancingirl21 said:

Thanks, all. We are pretty willing to spend some money to be closer since we are there for a short time, and this is for DS1’s birthday.

Has anyone stayed at The Salamander (used to be Mandarin Oriental)? We are looking at that for a splurge.

So I gooled it and it just came up with the one in Middleburg... which is not in DC. But then I looked again and I assume you mean the one by the capital. I haven't stayed there but location wise it would be great for what you want.

EDIT: I'll also add that there's a 3 day comiccon at the convention center June 16-18, be aware if your looking at hotels on that side of the city that weekend.

It’s right by the National Mall.

We are going June 23-26. Thanks!

[slbride2003]

Last time we went with DS we stayed at The Mayflower in a 1 bedroom suite. DD was on a pullout in the living area and we had a bedroom with a door. It was walking distance to the mall and restaurants. We would definitely stay there again.

[mslhb]

We stayed fall 2021 at the Willard Intercontinental in a one bedroom suite. The location is amazing and room was spacious.

[mrsann]

I stayed at Capitol Hill Hotel with my boys (5 and 7) in December. We just had king room but location was perfect for weekend trip. Less than 2 blocks to metro (blue and orange which we took direct to airport), 1 block from Library of Congress, Eastern Market Sunday morning, etc. We were off season and booked during a sale and very happy with price/location.

[orval]

Mar 12, 2023 21:27:44 GMT -5 slbride2003 said:

Last time we went with DS we stayed at The Mayflower in a 1 bedroom suite. DD was on a pullout in the living area and we had a bedroom with a door. It was walking distance to the mall and restaurants. We would definitely stay there again.

Ditto the Mayflower.  Great location.  I believe there is a metro stop right nearby.  Plenty of restaurants also.  

[akayf]

Mar 12, 2023 13:01:59 GMT -5 shortstax said:

In a few weeks we’re taking the kids to DC for SB. We’re staying at the Hyatt House at the wharf, so tag me or bump this thread then and I’ll give you a review 😎


ETA to add link: www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/washington-dc/hyatt-house-washington-dc-the-wharf/wasxs?src=adm_sem_crp_chico_crp_ppc_NAM-UnitedStates-DC-Washington-HH-WASXS_google_Evergreen2022_e_hyatt%20house%20washington%20dc&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjbagBhD3ARIsANRrqEsNUXHt67_cCXYPc8J5OU17YghxusMxtAgMIpe0JC_0jO0p6wU_DPcaAuiiEALw_wcB

Ps- apparently there’s a free shuttle from the wharf neighborhood to the national mall area too: www.wharfdc.com/getting-here/southwest-shuttle/

We loved the Hyatt House! It’s a great location and we would definitely stay there again. The Wharf was fun. There is a gelato place and it was sooo good. The shuttle was less than a 5 minute walk. Depending on our plans, we took it to the metro station or to the mall(if i remember correctly it dropped you off in the middle) The shuttle runs very regularly so we only waited a few minutes for it to show up.

I can’t remember if our room had 2 queens or 1 king and a pullout couch. It was more than enough room for our family of 4.

The daily breakfast was decent. Not 5 star cuisine but it served the purpose.

[mrshandy]

Personally, I think the other locations listed are better locations than the Mandarin Oriental. It's kind of an odd location tucked away amongst a bunch of office buildings. But it's much better than Old Town Alexandria. If you want to be more in the heart of the city. I recommend Chinatown/Gallery Place area or Dupont. Metro Center tends to shut down as well at night.

If you like baseball, National games can be a great way to pass an evening. They should be reasonably priced because the Nats stink this year. There are lots of fun bars and restaurants around the stadium including outdoor beer gardens. 

The yellow line bridge is scheduled to be fixed the end of May in case anyone is wondering about that. 

[shortstax]

Mar 14, 2023 14:24:53 GMT -5 akayf said:

Mar 12, 2023 13:01:59 GMT -5 shortstax said:

In a few weeks we’re taking the kids to DC for SB. We’re staying at the Hyatt House at the wharf, so tag me or bump this thread then and I’ll give you a review 😎


ETA to add link: www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/washington-dc/hyatt-house-washington-dc-the-wharf/wasxs?src=adm_sem_crp_chico_crp_ppc_NAM-UnitedStates-DC-Washington-HH-WASXS_google_Evergreen2022_e_hyatt%20house%20washington%20dc&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjbagBhD3ARIsANRrqEsNUXHt67_cCXYPc8J5OU17YghxusMxtAgMIpe0JC_0jO0p6wU_DPcaAuiiEALw_wcB

Ps- apparently there’s a free shuttle from the wharf neighborhood to the national mall area too: www.wharfdc.com/getting-here/southwest-shuttle/

We loved the Hyatt House! It’s a great location and we would definitely stay there again. The Wharf was fun. There is a gelato place and it was sooo good. The shuttle was less than a 5 minute walk. Depending on our plans, we took it to the metro station or to the mall(if i remember correctly it dropped you off in the middle) The shuttle runs very regularly so we only waited a few minutes for it to show up.

I can’t remember if our room had 2 queens or 1 king and a pullout couch. It was more than enough room for our family of 4.

The daily breakfast was decent. Not 5 star cuisine but it served the purpose.

Great to hear about your experience, thank you!