Washington DC or the Suburbs?

We strongly urge you to get a hotel in Washington DC near the National Mall. You will pay more money - maybe a lot more - for a Washington DC hotel, but it is worth the expense.

All major attractions like the White House, Capitol Building, monuments and museums are within easy walking distance of downtown Washington DC. Plus the drive or Metro subway ride into Washington DC can be long.

Another good choice for a Washington DC area hotel is Georgetown. It is a short cab ride from the National Mall, close to the Potomac River and has lots of restaurants and shopping. Georgetown hotels are expensive.

If you decide on a hotel in the suburbs, be sure the hotel is within walking distance of a Metro subway station or the hotel offers shuttle service to a Metro subway station.

We recommend the Arlington or Alexandria hotels in the Virginia suburbs. They are near Washington DC and have lots of restaurants. One of our favorite suburban locations is Crystal City. It is just across the Potomac River and has several excellent hotels.

The Maryland suburbs are a longer drive or Metro subway trip from Washington DC, but worth considering. We recommend hotels in Bethesda or Silver Springs near Metro subway stations.

What Hotel Locations to Avoid

There are several hotels along New York Avenue, NE near the Washington DC and Maryland line. They have moderate rates and clean rooms. However, this is an industrial area with few restaurants. Also, New York Avenue has lots of traffic congestion. Avoid getting a Washington DC hotel in this area.

If you fly into Dulles International Airport, you may want to get a hotel near the airport. If you are on a business trip and have clients near Dulles or Reston, this is a great idea.

You could even take a break from business and go see the Udvar-Hazy airplane museum near Dulles.

However, if you are planning to see the National Mall, White House and Capitol Hill, avoid Dulles or Reston hotels. There is no Metro subway station near Dulles, which is 25 miles from downtown Washington DC.