Help with hotel choice...

We will be in DC Dec.26-29. We are a family of 5 (3 kids - 18, 17, 11) and will be driving up.

I have narrowed down the choices to the following. Any input on the final decision would be appreciated. Things we want to consider are:

in order of importance:

1)walking distance to Metro

2)things to do at night and restaurants

3)overall condition of hotel and rooms

Here are our selections: in DC proper

1 - Embassy Suites Convention Center

2- Embassy Suites 22nd Street

3 - Doubletree Suites New Hampshire Ave.

4 - Homewood Suites Mass. Ave

5 - Residence Inn Vermont Ave

or

Outside of the city we are looking at:

1 - Residence Inn Arlington

Or if anyone has any other suggestions. We need a suite that has separate rooms (dh snores). Thanks

Help with hotel choice...

Don%26#39;t know if budget is a major concern or what kinds of prices you%26#39;re seeing for those properties, but the Sheraton Suites in the Old Town section of Alexandria has suites with 2 double beds in the bedroom which is closed off by French doors from the living room with a sofabed for $149/night for those dates. The suites there include a microwave, ';wet bar';, mini-fridge %26amp; coffeemaker, and the hotel has an indoor pool %26amp; offers shuttle service to the Metro station. Here are the TA reviews:

tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g30226-d83930-R…

But perhaps you need or want more/larger beds?This recent thread includes a nice summary by mopsydogs, one of the terrific Local Experts here, of several of the places you have under consideration %26amp; highlights those which offer 2 bedroom suites:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g28970-i40-k763257…

Help with hotel choice...

Cocklecove thank you for the information.

The advantage to Embassy Suites is the cooked to order breakfast. With 5 people to feed that can add up.

The only ES with queen beds is the one near Dupont Circle.

The price difference between this ES and the Doubletree Suites is $20. The Doubletree is closer to the Metro, however, than ES.

So I seem to have narrowed it down between the ES on 22nd Street or Doubletree Suites. Any input on these two?

I don%26#39;t know anybody who has stayed in the Doubletree, but visitors have reported positive for both Embassy Suites - the Convention Center is probably the more convenient of the two, being on the Circulator line and close to the Metro for daily sightseeing purposes.

The one on 22nd Street is a decent walk to the Metro (Dupont Circle or Foggy Bottom station) but close to the restuaurants in Georgetown, Dupont Circle, and the West End. Luckily, your kids are old enough to traverse the distance without stroller or much whining. I hope! ;-)

A couple of comments not already made here or in the link I previously offered:

** the ES%26#39;s decor is a bit more upscale than the somewhat dated decor at Doubletree depicted in the candid travler pics posted here with the Doubletree reviews -- if that matters to you;

** but the Doubletree pics also show it offers more in terms of kitchen facilities than the ES: full-size fridge, stovetop, dishwasher, large microwave

** are you all big breakfast eaters? If your family woud be happy with just a bagel or some cold cereal and juice, milk or coffee to kick off the day, that%26#39;s easy enough to purchase -- and not all that expensive.

** the Doubletree%26#39;s pool is an outdoor, seasonal one; the ES offers an indoor pool

But, are you able to get a 2-bedroom suite at either the Doubletree or the Embassy Suites (I think the ES on 22nd St. is the only DC one which has some 2 bedroom units)? If so -- and the 2-bedroom suite is within your budget -- that%26#39;s the one I%26#39;d pick for a family of 5. If no 2 BR%26#39;s available for the dates you need, I think the fact that the ES has queen beds is more important than the Doubletree%26#39;s somewhat closer proximity to a Metro stop. Your kids -- who aren%26#39;t little -- will be spending a lot more time in bed than walking to the Metro :-)

Either the Doubletree or Embassy Suites on 22nd Street would both be excellent choices. Both are walking distance to Metro Stations (ES may be the furthest away, but not too-too far)

Doubletree is in the heart of George Washington University. But since you are coming around Christmas time, there won%26#39;t be many students around. Foggy Bottom Metro station is there. As stated before, I believe the Doubletree offers a bigger kitchen area and they have separate living/dining areas.

The decor of the ES is more modern/upscale and as stated before the pool situation could be an issue but your only here for 3 full days you may not even find time to get in the pool.

Around DC you can find a full breakfast for ($5.00-$7.00 p/p) so, if that%26#39;s to expensive you can use the full kitchen in the Doubletree and stop and pick up a few items at a corner store they should have everything you need. ES cook-to-order breakfast is good, but sometimes it can be a long wait just to get it especially since your here during the Holiday%26#39;s.

Oh and the Doubletree gives you warm chocolate chip cookies upon your arrival. :-) Not that it matters much. :-) :-) :-)

And they do have 2 bedroom suites.

I just found a good rate on the State Plaza. Does anyone have any information on this hotel?

It%26#39;s ';OK';. You might find better service at the Doubletree or ES.

The Garden Cafe is on the ground floor of this hotel. And the food is good. I loved the grilled salmon salad. However they are closed now for renovations and they should be re-opened when you are coming in December.

I would go with either Doubletree or ES. But if you are trying to save money and the State Plaza is cheaper go there.

I%26#39;ve attended a couple conferences this summer at the American Foreign Service Association%26#39;s headquarters which are right next door to the State Plaza. Haven%26#39;t peeked inside the SP, but my impression of it from the curb is that it is, as Mrs. Maryland says, ';okay.'; Granted I%26#39;ve basically just come %26amp; gone from the AFSA building (and across to the State Department), but my impression is that there%26#39;s little happening in the immediate vicinity (e.g., restaurants). So check the reviews here to get more detailed info on that %26amp; Metro proximity from past SP guests.

The time of year you%26#39;re coming is when hotel rates are among the lowest. So, if it%26#39;s not outside the realm of financial possibility, I think you should go with either the Doubletree or the Embassy Suites because they%26#39;re nicer properties available to you at a price you%26#39;d be hard-pressed to duplicate another time. I myself would pick the ES because I%26#39;m a huge fan of the Dupont Circle neighborhood :-)