I need hotel recommendations - can you help me? A DC guide from LynneSin

[LynneSin]

:bounce:

I'm getting asked this question alot and I will try to help out as many people as feasible but ultimately you'll have to rely on the internet to find the best deal and the best location.

However, I thought I would give a primer to what's happening in DC in order to help figure out where to stay in DC for the protest.

Two websites I swear by are Sidestep and Kayak. These are not travel sites but they search all those travel sites to help find the best price available for hotels

http://www.sidestep.com
http://www.kayak.com

These are both good places to start for hotel searching.

Also, consider sites such as Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia, Priceline, Hotel.com, Yahoo Travel to name a few.

Now here's a suggestion - if you find a great price on one of those sites listed above, before you book go to that hotel's home page. Lately the hotels are trying to be more competitive with the travel sites and sometimes you can even get a better price booking through them. I recently had some problems with the rate at a hotel due to an error in the listing. When I reconfirmed the price through the hotel was way more than expected. I searched the internet, found a cheaper price at a travel website then contacted the manager at the hotel. They uncut and rebooked that price at $10 less than what I found on the internet.

Ok where to stay in DC?

The Metro, DC's subway, will be your friend in DC so if you're not near a metro then you're going to be challenged.
http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

LEt me give you some landmarks for the activities DU has this weekend.

Friday Night Party: 1 block from Capital Hill South (blue/orange)
Protest: Near both the Smithosean & Federal Triangle Stops (blue/orange)
Saturday Night Party: Gallery Pl-Chinatown (red/yellow/green)

Basically there are 5 main metro colors and you'll find it more cost efficient to buy a day pass at $6.50 a day.

Where should I stay in DC?

Well, I'm staying in Capital Hill (SE) - hell I'm a block from all the House offices. But there are plenty of other options. If you want to stay in DC, regions I recommend including Foggy Bottom, DuPont Circle and Adam Morgan. (all NW). I don't recommend Georgetown only because there is no metrorail that goes into DC and you'll have to rely on Bus, Taxis or just walking.

Think of DC as a big Plus sign with the White House smack in the middle. From there everything is broken down into Quadrants: NW, NE, SW, SE.

Also, when you see the price of a DC hotel room, factor in 14.5% hotel tax AND if you're driving - a hefty parking fee.

Now, other options would be to get a lesser expensive room that isn't right in downtown DC. Usually the parking is free and if you're outside of DC, the hotel tax is less expensive. Areas that I would recommend are Arlington and Crystal City. Both have metros nearby and prices might be a little less expensive but in a safe neighborhood.

If you really want to go low cost then try one of these hostels. I think some DUers have already booked space at them - check around in some of the other threads!
http://www.hostels.com/en/findabed.php?ChosenCity=Washington%20DC&ChosenCountry=United%20States

Finally, if you're flying into DC - please avoid DUlles Airport (IAD)unless you don't mind paying the hefty ground transportation fee to get from the airport to your location. Seems Dulles is the only one not on the metrorail line. Your best bet would be Baltimore-Washington (BWI) or Washington National (DCA and yes, it's named after an asshole who's name I refuse to acknowledge). Both have connections into the metro rail.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Washington National is by far the best to fly into.

It's by far the most accessible of the three. If you can get a cheap or comparable flight there, I highly suggest you take it.

[LynneSin]

2. True, but BWI is a major hub for AA and Southwest

And both the Metro and the MARC (Baltimore rail) run from BWI into Union Station. I know GOPisEvil is coming into BWI since he can get a cheap nonstop flight from Austin

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. Tis the painful truth you speak.

I f***ing HATE Southwest... but they tend to be the cheapest and they only fly into DCA from a few locations so far.

Like I said though, if it's a comparable rate, like within $20 or so, you'd want to take the DCA flight instead. It IS that much easier.

[LynneSin]

4. That's how I figure BWI vs. Philly

BWI tends to be cheaper than Philly but I live 30 minutes from PHL airport. So unless I'm saving significant amount of money I'll take the longer flight through PHL. It's just nice getting off the plane and knowing you'll be home in about an hour

[dcfirefighter]

5. $5 Bus from BWI to Green line Metro Stop (Greenbelt)

You could also take a MARC train from BWI to Union Station, slightly more expensive, but much faster. In fact, if I did this, I'd spring for the cab from Union station, if I was staying in the city. Getting a little closer on the Metro would only save a few dollars, and you'd have to deal with luggage, which could be a pain in te ass during rush hour (6-9a & 4-7p)

And if you're driving, park your car at one of the outer metro stations for the weekend, and ride the metro to the stop nearest your hotel. Then pay to take a cab to your hotel, and drop your bags off. After that you can probably walk.

Washington Metro Area Transit Authority: http://www.wmata.com/

WMATA links to airports: DCA, BWI, IAD http://www.wmata.com/riding/visitors/airports.cfm

[northzax]

6. great list- only one small problem

it's the capitol at the center of the cross, not the white house (which is 16 blocks west)

[LynneSin]

7. oh smack me one silly

:crazy:

I live in Wilmington DE - I'm damn impressed I got this far

[LynneSin]

8. Damnit, PDA does it way better than me - check out their info

http://www.pdamerica.org/articles/events/sept2005/DCdirections.php

http://www.pdamerica.org/articles/events/sept2005/UDChotels.php