Hotel Harrington, Safe Area at Night?

I%26#39;m in quite a quandry. I%26#39;ve booked Hotel Harrington for our party that consists of 2 women and four children (ages 7-10). I%26#39;ve read the reviews on this site that were anywhere from a great, clean place to stay to absolute worst with bed bugs.

Our visit will be short (2 nights with only one full day). I don%26#39;t mind the Metro, but it seems that the location of this hotel will eliminate the need to use it entirely.

I%26#39;m a no thrills person but do like things to be clean and safe. Would it be safe to walk this area at night? We were considering walking from the hotel to the Lincoln Memorial on the day we arrive. I called the hotel and was told ';it *should* be fine'; as long as we were in by 10 p.m.

I don%26#39;t mind basic but am really not up for unsafe and bug bites. However, this hotel was recommended to me and it seems to have more positive remarks than negative.

I originally booked a Residence Inn on 333 E St SW but it didn%26#39;t seem to have great reviews either. Ditto for an Embassy Suites in Arlington.

Anyhow that has actually stayed at the Harrington, with children, have an opinion? Any alternatives that would fit a party of six?

Hotel Harrington, Safe Area at Night?

Yes, you should be fine in that area. From looking at pictures that other travelers have posted with their reviews of the Harrington, I noticed that the hotel does not use key cards for the room doors. Instead, they are still using regular keys. This is not good from a security standpoint. Personally, I wouldn%26#39;t stay there. I%26#39;m surprised that the Embassy Suites in Arlington doesn%26#39;t get good reviews. Have you looked at any of the DC ones? They have 3 locations in DC. One perk that they have is a free full breakfast for their guests.

Hotel Harrington, Safe Area at Night?

Add me to the list of people that wouldn%26#39;t stay at the Harrington...worked across the street from the place for years. Nothing wrong with the neighborhood these days, quiet at night for the most part.

I would take either of the other hotels mentioned over the Harrington. At a minimum they are modern buildings with modern security keys!

It is kind of a dump. One of those ';get what you pay for'; deals. Nothing in Crystal City that is comperable in price? If location is the deciding factor, I would suggest someplace else as well.

You don%26#39;t want to drop a bunch of cash to get here and not be happy with where you are staying. You can stay in Crystal City and it is a 10 minute train ride. You could walk all around the Mall and get back to the L%26#39;Enfant Plaza metro and take it back to CC.

Downtown is safe. The little crime spree of the summer has been squashed by stepped up patrols on the Mall, so don%26#39;t worry. Don%26#39;t be out too late either and all is good.

I stayed in DC this summer at the Grand Hyatt and it is in the same general location as the Hotel Harrington - the area was safe (we walked to the White House and back one evening w/o issue) but the Harrington itself looked rundown and scary.

I%26#39;d say the Embassy Suites are your best bet for a party of 6 - I%26#39;ve stayed at two of their DC locations with my kids (3 kids, 2 adults) and they have been great each time - their downtown DC location and their location at the Chevy Chase Pavillion. Free full breakfast is an excellent perk and a great way to get the kids going in the a.m. Managers reception 5-7 pm with drinks and snacks. Indoor pool and hot tub on both properties for the kids after a long day of sightseeing.

I saw the new Embassy Suites by the Convention Center - looked nice from the outside - and was in the same general location. You might want to try that. I hope this helps.

Suzanne

Thanks everyone! I cancelled our Harrington reservation. I decided I wasn%26#39;t willing to risk it. I did some calculating and figured there wasn%26#39;t much cost difference between an Embassy Suites in Arlington or Alexandria compared to Harrington when I factored in the free breakfast and ability to bring our own food to keep cool or heat up in the kitchenette. We%26#39;ll save money there to make up for the added hotel cost. I think I%26#39;d rather deal with having to metro in than the potential for a moldy room and bed bugs. Having a pool was a nice bonus for the kids too.

I currently have Embassy in Old Town booked for $180 plus $15 parking. If there anything comparable closer in or more convenient some other way? Should I stop my search of finding something in D.C.?

My one other suggestion -- if you%26#39;ve not already looked into it -- is the Doubletree Guest Suites in Georgetown. It offers fully equipped kitchens (full size fridge, stovetop %26amp; microwave vs. the ES%26#39;s mini-refrigerator with no freezer and small microwave), but tit has no indoor pool, and the ES%26#39;s big, free breakfast buffet is nice. Old Town isn%26#39;t in the boondocks, and you got yourselves a nice price on that Embassy Suites so unless the Doubletree is appreciably cheaper for the dates you need (DC hotel prices vary wildly, even within the same week at the same property), I think you can call off your search :-)

Thanks, CockleCove.

I checked out the Double Suites and it%26#39;s $300 a night. It looks like a nice property (and with considerably bigger rooms) but would have to have some time to search for a deal (we didn%26#39;t know we were going until this past Sunday). Thanks for the suggestion though!

Nothing in Crystal City? They usually have some good deals and everything there is pretty nice. Good selection of restaurants all within walking distance. There is a Harris Teeter grocery store next to the Pentagon City Mall to stock up on food.

If not, ES is right by the King St. Metro. Closest grocery is right around the corner on Duke street. It is a Whole Foods so it is expensive. The closest ';regulary priced'; grocery is about a mile west on Duke street called Giant.

Taking your lunch with you will save you a little cash and there is plenty of green space to have a little picnic.

In Old Town, around the corner from ES on King St. is Hard Times Chili. The kids will love it and it isn%26#39;t that expensive. Across the street is the Rock IT grill, for another spot. Down King St. toward Old Town is South Austin Grill. All family friendly and easy on the wallet. If you want something a little nicer, right next to your hotel is a place called Stellas, a little more upscale but not too pricey.

Enjoy

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