Arlington vs Alexandria vs DC

Which neighborhood would be best? Arlington (specifically Crystal City) or Old Town Alexandria or DC (I%26#39;ve read a lot about DuPont and Morgan Hill)? I realize the first two are farther out but the hotels are cheaper. I am willing to spend about $200-$230 for a room per night, would be 2 people in the room, and if breakfast was included that%26#39;d be a nice perk but isn%26#39;t required. Doing all the toursity things in DC and might check out places like Mt. Vernon, Arlington National Cemetary, etc.

Help!

Arlington vs Alexandria vs DC

Ideally, stay in the District. However, if it turns out that your choice is between a fleabag dump in the District or a nice hotel in Crystal City or Alexandria, then don%26#39;t stay in the District. In terms of distance to DC, Crystal City is closer. Old Town Alexandria is a pleasant place with lots of charm. If you were to stay in the District, you can easily get to Arlington Cemetary and Mount Vernon. So--compare hotels that are in your price range and read the reviews under ';hotels';. BTW, Embassy Suites does offer a free full breakfast for their guests.

Arlington vs Alexandria vs DC

With your price limit, you should have your pick of any area you want. If you will have a car, it might be easier to stay outside the District and Metro in for the attractions only for Mount Vernon would you need a car). For a car, Alexandria would probably be easier. Crystal City can be sort of a pain to drive around, though it is a little closer to downtown by Metro. Better selection of unique restaurants in Old Town; more chains like Legal Seafood in Crystal City. Old Town is nicer to walk aaround; Crystal CIty isn%26#39;t far from a mall if you want to go shopping. Either tends to be cheaper than the nice parts of DC, though there are exceptions.

DC is most convenient if that%26#39;s where you plan to be most of the time, and if you%26#39;re used to driving in San Francisco you should be fine in DC. Dupont CIrcle is a funky part of town, so it can be fun, though it%26#39;s not right in the middle of most attractions.

Hope that gets you started.

You can get to Mount Vernon by using public transportation. For more info:

mountvernon.org/visit/plan/index.cfm/pid/29

If it comes down to choosing between Old Town and Crystal City I%26#39;d strongly suggest Old Town. It is only about ten minutes farther by metrorail (three stops) and has significantly more charm and character. Search the forum for similar threads.

And by the way... wasn%26#39;t Vincent Price from St. Louis?

I personally like Old Town Alexandria. It is metro accessible so a quick 10-15 minute ride downtown and you are at all the downtown/mall attractions.

But....... $200-$230. p/night can put you just about anywhere in the District and Northern VA. Also, have you tried the Georgetown area or the Dupont Circle area. Georgetown isn%26#39;t metro accessible but there are several different buses that will take you directly to where you want to go and it%26#39;s only a short cab ride downtown.

-Try the Hotel Palomar in Dupont Circle. It is one of the Kimpton hotels and it%26#39;s in a nice little area of Dupont Circle. www.hotelpalomar-dc.com Check out the website and see what you think. The average room rate is about $160.00 p/night.

There are other hotels I just wanted you to see something different.

Do you plan to go out at night? If so, it%26#39;s especially nice to be in DC (specifically around Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan as you mention, depending on where your interests lie).

MrsMaryland - where did you find the Palomar for $160? Even in low season, the best rate I%26#39;m finding is $349 so I%26#39;d love to know where I can get a lower price! VincentPrice-if you like the idea of a Kimpton hotel and can%26#39;t get the Palomar, try Hotel Rouge or Topaz. If you want something more traditional, Jurys Washington Hotel or the Courtyard Hotel near Dupont might work for you.

Otherwise, how long are you staying? If it%26#39;s a fairly short trip, I say Crystal City is a better bet since you%26#39;ll be spending most of your time in DC. If it%26#39;s several days, then Old Town is nice because it gives you another area to explore.

Enjoy your stay!

Mopsy Dog:

I called my agent at the Hotel George and asked her for a regular rate for the Palomar. She gave me a queen/king room checking in Aug. 28-31 (3nights) $159.00 total for stay is $477.00 not inlcluding taxes and fees. Check their website for specific prices for the dates you will be traveling. The $300 plus rooms are for the executive suites probably. Although she could have given me a discounted rate. Just check www.hotelpalomar-dc.com and see what it gives you. They have specials for certain times of the year.

Thanks for the info MrsMaryland.

Just returned from the Palomar (Aug. 19). I live in central VA and travel to the DC area very frequently. The Palomar is still a work in progress. The spa suite which we reserved was not ready. Technically it was ready, but the HVAC unit above was causing the room to vibrate and shake, so more work had to be done before they would rent it. The manager took my companion up to the room to show him the proble. Management was very nice, we stayed in a regular room, very large and cool furnishings, but we heard hammering and construction sounds from the room above. The steel frame for the awning is in place, but the covering has not been installed yet. etc. We also got a better rate than the website, check around. I will return, but may give them a bit of time to get some bugs worked out. Had to valet the car.

As a reply to VincentPrice, we end up in Crystal City quite a bit, specifically at Embassy Suites. Its got a comfortable feel, it%26#39;s near the metro (there is a shuttle to the metro station if you don%26#39;t want to walk), has underground parking garage and a breakfast buffet. Not as cool as a Kimpton hotel, but spacious and reasonable.

Thanks for the update on the Palomar. I know they told me it wasn%26#39;t finished but it was so nice when our office did a walk through a few weeks back. I would have thought they would be finished by now, guess not. Always cheaper places elsewhere, just wanted to give them a reference but guess not.

All of the Embassy Suites in DC, Crystal city, etc are all nice and they do have breakfast and pretty decent. I like the one in Old Town Alexandria. Also the dc locations are nice as well So is the one in Cyrstal City. All are pretty reasonable with the price.