Aussies coming to DC.Where to stay?

I need some advise on which would be the best area for us to stay for a trip we have planned to DC in Jan 2007.

We are a family of 5 with 3 kids 9,14 and 16. We will have to rely on public transport but would prefer to be in walking distanct (weather permiting) to attractions. Someone had sugested Georgetown but I believe it is a bit out of town and not a lot of public transport.

Location is our main priority.

Aussies coming to DC.Where to stay?

While Georgetown isn%26#39;t on the metro line, it isn%26#39;t ';out of town';. It%26#39;s just an area that decided they didn%26#39;t want to have metro in their area. I wouldn%26#39;t suggest Georgetown anyway if you wanted to be in walking distance to the attractions.

Actually there are quite a few hotels that could put you within a nice (10-15) minute walk to the main attractions. However many tourists prefer to use the metro and not necessarily be near the attractions. The system is so easy to use that it wouldn%26#39;t really matter where you stayed in DC. Check out the map of the metro system (www.wmata.com).

Suggested areas:

-Dupont Circle

-West End (between Georgetown/Downtown/Dupont Circle

-Immediate Downtown area near Verizon Center and Pennsylvania Avenue

-Penn Quarter area (not far from the White House and some of the attractions.

Hotel Suggestions (All depending on your price range):

-The Fairmont (West End location- www.fairmont.com/washington/) Foggy Bottom or Dupont Circle Metro Station

-Embassy Suites (www.embassysuites.com) 22nd street location in the Dupont Circle area Dupont Circle Metro Station

-Jurys Washington Hotel (www.juryswashington.com) Dupont Circle Location. Duoont Circle Metro Station

-Doubletree Guest Suites (www.doubletree.com) Foggy Bottom location on New Hampshire Avenue. Foggy Bottom Metro Station

-JW Marriott on Pennsylvania Avenue (www.marriott.com) Downtown Location close to attractions and metro system

Note that most of the attractions (monuments and museums) are on the Blue/orange line Smithsonian Station or L%26#39;Enfant Plaza Station. With all of the walking you will have to do in between those locations, you might not want to walk to them and then walk between them. So using metro will benefit you and your children.

Aussies coming to DC.Where to stay?

I agree that Georgetown is not the best place to stay just for convenience to public transport, although it%26#39;s fun to visit for an afternoon/evening.

Assuming you will be sharing one room, you%26#39;re definitely best off with a suite. The Embassy Suites chain is probably the most popular with familes. Either the one at 22nd Street (in DC, near Dupont Circle)), at the Convention Center (in DC/near Penn Quarter/Chinatown), or in Crystal City (in Arlington, just over the river from DC) would be good places to start.

The Hampton Inn Convention Center is also conveniently located, offers suites, and recently got a very good review from another family of 5. This is in Chinatown/Penn Quarter where there is family-friendly dining, a movie theater and a bowling alley.

Another place to consider is the Residence Inn Dupont Circle. You%26#39;ll have to take the metro from here, but it%26#39;s an easy ride and there are lots of restaurant options in the evening. (Note that someone says there are no restaurants for kids within walking distance of the hotel, but that is really not true - there are several places within about 5-6 blocks including Pizzeria Paradiso, Zorba%26#39;s, Luna Grill and Diner, the Front Page)

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Stay away from Georgetown if you want easy transport. ITs a beautiful great neighborhood but the other posters are correct in saying that it wouldn%26#39;t be the best place for ease.

Stay in Dupont, specifically at the Kalorama Guesthouse on Mintwood Place. www.kaloramaguesthouse.com Try that link, if it doesn%26#39;t work just google kalorama guesthouse, you%26#39;ll fin dit.

This is an aweosme little place with beautiful rooms. you woudl probably need to get 2 rooms or maybe 3, but honestly you%26#39;d be paying the same for ONE room at the Embassy or any of the other DC locations that were listed. A room here goes for $120 or so a night, the others $300+

Its walking distance to LOTS of restuaruants and a short hike to the metro. One day walk down to the monuments, its about a mile, but an easy walk down (coming back is mostly hill%26#39;s so you%26#39;ll want to metro it back).

Very easy to get to your locations from the metro in Adams Morgan/Woodley Park (Red line) or Dupont Cirlce (alos red line).

Good Luck and enjoy yourself!!

If you stay at the Jury%26#39;s hotel at Dupont Circle, you are in a great central location and it%26#39;s only and 10 minute walk to Georgetown.

If you stay at the Jury%26#39;s hotel at Dupont Circle, you are in a great central location and it%26#39;s only and 10 minute walk to Georgetown.

Thanks for all your advise. I think we will book the Embassy Suites. But which one? Which is the best for us to stay in?

GUZZALISA: I would suggest the Embassy Suites on 22nd Street in DC (Dupont Circle). There is another one near the Convention Center which is also nice, but I think you would like being near Georgetown and Dupont Circle. Convention Center location isn%26#39;t bad at all if it gave you a cheaper rate.

www.embassysuites.com

Guzzalisa:

The first two choices would be Convention Center and 22nd Street. I%26#39;d stay at whichever has a better rate. If the rates are equal, then I agree with MrsMaryland, go with 22nd Street. I would also check the Crystal City location. If they offer the best rate, I wouldn%26#39;t rule it out. It%26#39;s conveniently located to the city, although not within walking distance, like the other two locations. If you haven%26#39;t already, read the TA reviews for further insight and to help you decide.