DC Hotel & BWI advice

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

kenish - 30 Mar 2006 19:29 GMT

Hi;

My 13 year old son and I are coming to Washington DC in mid-April for a
week. There's a few things where I'd appreciate suggestions or
advice:

- I have reservations at the Hotel Harrington ($99 / night) and the
Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill ($142 / night). These rates include tax.
I've read all the mixed reviews on both, especially the Harrington.
Which would you choose, given these rates? I'm a "frugal",
value-minded traveler, not to be confused with "cheap". We need a
convenient and clean place to stay but we will spend most of our time
sightseeing. The walking time and distances from the Hyatt to downtown
sights and eateries look OK on a map, but what is the reality?

- I've read comments about the neighborhood around the Hyatt. We have
walked around Chicago and midtown Manhattan late at night and felt
safe, we just took the normal precautions. Having said that, any
reason for concern?

- We arrive at 10:15pm on Saturday night into BWI. The options seem
to be Super Shuttle (shared van) or renting a car and turning it in at
Union Station. Any other suggestions? We will have carry-ons and
rolling luggage only. If we stay at the Hyatt, is it fairly safe
walking to the Hyatt at that hour, or will we be obvious targets
(making a cab a good idea)?

Many thanks, my son is getting excited about the trip. So am I, and
it's my 5th visit to DC!

Reply to this Message

Everyboysmomma - 30 Mar 2006 20:23 GMT

> Hi;
>
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> Many thanks, my son is getting excited about the trip. So am I, and
> it's my 5th visit to DC!

Can't speak to the Hyatt questions, but on the advice of this newsgroup, my
family stayed at the Hotel Harrington last April vacation. You can't beat
it's location for getting to all the attractions and museums. It is old,
but it was clean and perfectly serviceable for us. It is convenient to the
subway and there are plenty of places to eat right around the hotel. With
what we saved on the expense of the hotel, we were able to do and see
everything we wanted to without financial worry.
Momma

Reply to this Message

oconnell@slr.orl.lmco.com - 30 Mar 2006 22:54 GMT

> Hi;
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> sightseeing. The walking time and distances from the Hyatt to downtown
> sights and eateries look OK on a map, but what is the reality?

That areas fine. I will say though that I got a fairly good deal
through
Hotwire in DC.

> - I've read comments about the neighborhood around the Hyatt. We have
> walked around Chicago and midtown Manhattan late at night and felt
> safe, we just took the normal precautions. Having said that, any
> reason for concern?

I wouldn't worry too much, you'll be fine. I would have stayed
closer to Dupont or Georgetown but that's just me.

> - We arrive at 10:15pm on Saturday night into BWI. The options seem
> to be Super Shuttle (shared van) or renting a car and turning it in at
> Union Station. Any other suggestions?

http://www.bwiairport.com/ground_transportation/washington_dc__wmata_/

Metro now offers BWI Express Metro bus service between BWI and the
Greenbelt metro station. The service provides a direct connection
between BWI and the Greenbelt Metro Station. The BWI Express/B30
service runs every 40 minutes, 7 days a week to the Greenbelt Metro
Station, which is located on the Green Line of the Washington Metro
System. Buses run 25 times each weekday and 21 times on Saturdays and
Sunday, every 40 minutes. For more information call 202-637-7000 or go
to www.wmata.com.

> We will have carry-ons and
> rolling luggage only. If we stay at the Hyatt, is it fairly safe
> walking to the Hyatt at that hour, or will we be obvious targets
> (making a cab a good idea)?

You'll be fine.

> Many thanks, my son is getting excited about the trip. So am I, and
> it's my 5th visit to DC!

Reply to this Message

Travel Forum / Destinations / USA and Canada / March 2006

DC Hotel & BWI advice