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.