Where to stay in Washington

In August will be staying a week in Masanutten and then a week in Williamsburg. Intend to stay for 4 nights prior to this - 2 adults plus 16 and 15 year old - in Washington. Will be flying in from Dublin and renting a car. Would it be best stay in Washington itself or somewhere further out and travel in each day. Any suggestions as to where to stay? Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks Ian

You don't really need a car if you stay in the city. There is a great subway (Metro) system. I would recommend a hotel within walkiing distance of the main sights like the Capitol and the Smithsonian. We stayed at the J.W. Marriott on the corner of Pennsylvania Ave and 14th which was a perfect location, about a block from the White House. But there are certainly less expensive options in the area (and of course MORE expensive as well - I would love to stay at the Willard Hotel which was across the street from the Marriott, very historic but $$$$$).

Try for a hotel in the area of the White House, Smithsonian, Capitol and you'll be able to walk to everything plus be close to a Metro station if you don't want to walk. Also keep in mind that hotels in Washington are more expensive mid-week when Congress is in session. Weekends are when you'll get discount rates.

J W Marriott

Our family stayed a week at the J W Marriott Hotel on Pennsylvania Ave., and it was fantastic.....very short walk to White House and also close to the Washington and Lincoln Monuments and to the various Smithsonian Museum bldgs. Having driven around and walked, we wouldn't have wanted to stay anywhere else. When we were tired from walking and sight-seeing, the hotel was always close-by.

If you have a chance during the week, drive to Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington-----it's a few miles past Old Town Alexandria (another nice place to visit). jme

I would prefer to stay in the City as the subway is very convenient and you won't need a rental car at all.

Other

There are other nice hotels in downtown DC also that are close to attractions or a short metro (subway) ride.

Nancy

Many thanks for the info. Made a reservation for the Marriott which didn't seem too expensive as I had some Marriott points.
Regards Ian

IanMcM said:

Many thanks for the info. Made a reservation for the Marriott which didn't seem too expensive as I had some Marriott points.
Regards Ian

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Hope you like it. Be sure and request a room with an exterior view. The interior rooms face a rather stark courtyard. If you can get a room facing Pennsylvania Ave you will have a view of the Washington Monument.

What we did

We had did a similar vacation a few years ago with our 3 teenage boys. We stayed at the Embassy Suites outside of DC but right on the subway line. It was great because it wasn't nearly as expensive as staying right in DC & the subway ride was short. We enjoyed the huge 'free' breakfast before we left the hotel for the day. Since we had a bigger breakfast, we ate a smaller lunch later in the day. When we got back to the hotel, we enjoyed the 'free' happy hour & snacks. The kids had no interest in going out, so they ordered a pizza & hung out at the hotel & my husband & I walked to the nearby restaurants. We never used our car until the day we were leaving & we went to Arlington and Alexandria.

We were gone 10 days on that trip. We went to Williamsburg, Norfolk (great tour of the largest Navy base in the world), Virginia Beach, Annapolis (toured the Naval Academy) and the sights of DC. It was an exhausting trip, but one of my very favorites!

Have fun!