Recommend hotel in DC area? Road trip with the the kid

HardDrive · 03-19-2014, 07:24 AM

So I was thinking of hopping in the P-car with my daughter, and driving to DC. Weekend of the 29th. My plan was to stay in a less expensive hotel outside DC that has parking, and commute in on Metro in the mornings, or alternatively, have lazy breakfasts, and commute in to DC after morning rush hour in the car. I realize parking cost will be brutal.

A) Does this plan make sense?

B) Can you recommend a decent hotel near a metro stop, preferably someplace nice that we can walk around and find dinner. I'm thinking $250 or less per night.

Any advice appreciated.

cairns · 07:50 AM

Yes it makes sense. For $250 a night I would recommend the Hyatt in Bethesda. Great food and shopping within walking distance and you can literally walk downstairs to the Metro if you don't want to drive into DC. Hyatt will ding you big time on parking though (probably $20 per day).

http://www.bethesda.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

If you want to spend less and stay farther out you could try the Rio Center in Rockville/Gaithersburg, MD near where I live. There are a number of hotels there, many (like the Marriott linked) within walking distance of food and shopping. Most of them offer a shuttle to the Red Line metro stop (10 minutes away) or you can wait (until 9:30 or 10AM IMO) and drive into DC.

Hotel Gaithersburg MD | Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center

If you take your car and like planes don't miss the Udvar Hazy Center near Dulles Airport. The Air and Space downtown should certainly be on the list but Udvar is a must see as well.

There are plenty of opportunities in the VA suburbs too but it sounds like you're coming down 270 and wouldn't want to drive all the way around the beltway.

Jim Richards · 03-19-2014, 08:42 AM

I would stay in the VA suburbs, fairly close in. The Courthouse area of Arlington has lots of restaurants (Google "restaurants near courthouse metro") and shops within walking distance (Wilson Blvd, Clarendon Blvd.), and the Orange Line metro train has a stop at Courthouse. The Orange Line will get you in/out of downtown pretty easily and quickly.

Look into staying at the Residence Inn by Marriott Arlington Courthouse (closest to metro and restaurants/shops) or Hilton Garden Inn Arlington. Both have limited parking that you pay for on a per day basis (maybe $15/day+tax).

Here's a link to the the metro rail map Metro - Rail - Maps - Rail/Google Map

Too bad my wife and I are leaving for SoCal then, we'd love to meet you and help you in any way to enjoy your visit to DC. Have a great time!