Where to Stay for Washinton DC visit

Hello,

I would like some advice on where to stay for a DC visit. I have elderly family members visiting Washington DC next month for the first time, but they have not made a lodging reservation yet and need help. I am from the west coast, have not visited DC myself, and do not know DC at all. They want to see the touristy places in DC. Several of them are in their sixties, so I think they would like somewhere convenient (i.e., within walking distance or a short train ride from the main touristy attractions.)

Any thoughts on where they should stay, even if they are not timeshares? There are 5 people total making the trip, and they plan to spend 2 nights/3 days in DC (June 12th through 14th). Their preference is either timeshare or condo rental. I put a general "Rental Wanted" ad in the Last Minute Rental forum, but not sure if anyone is going to respond there. Also I checked out vrbo.com, but I think there weren't too many options within DC that meet their budget.

Thank you for any suggestions you may have.
Han

Hi Han,

Here' s a previous Tug thread about Washington, D.C. area hotels near Metro

I recommend your party gets Senior Smart Trip Cards for traveling on Metro.
For more information, see http://www.wmata.com/fares/smartrip/senior.cfm


Have a great trip.


Richard

Dang, I did not know I was elderly!

And I just days ago had my aunt who is 3 months shy of 90 years old up in NYC for 3 nights! With her walker ... just 7 months after her broken hip with ball replacement.

Old Town Alexander is less than 2 blocks from the Metro - but you should serious consider the hotel plan.

vacationhopeful said:

Dang, I did not know I was elderly!

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Linda- you just spend too much time in South Florida where the 60s are the new 30s.


I have a client that's still driving and he just turned 100, not sure that 60s are elderly.

Hanburger said:

Hello,

I would like some advice on where to stay for a DC visit. I have elderly family members visiting Washington DC next month for the first time, but they have not made a lodging reservation yet and need help. I am from the west coast, have not visited DC myself, and do not know DC at all. They want to see the touristy places in DC. Several of them are in their sixties, so I think they would like somewhere convenient (i.e., within walking distance or a short train ride from the main touristy attractions.)

Any thoughts on where they should stay, even if they are not timeshares? There are 5 people total making the trip, and they plan to spend 2 nights/3 days in DC (June 12th through 14th). Their preference is either timeshare or condo rental. I put a general "Rental Wanted" ad in the Last Minute Rental forum, but not sure if anyone is going to respond there. Also I checked out vrbo.com, but I think there weren't too many options within DC that meet their budget.

Thank you for any suggestions you may have.
Han

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We always stay at the Wyndham Old Town Alexandria and we are in our 60's!

The Metro is probably 500 feet from the front of the resort but the feature we enjoy the most is the free trolly that goes up and down King St that stops right across the street from the resort. Tons of great restaurants on and immediately off of King St. Several years ago we used to walk down to the waterfront deciding on the way what restaurant to eat at. It was about a two mile walk. Then we would have dinner and walk back! That dog don't hunt anymore though. Did I say I really liked the free trolly?

There are other hotels in that immediate area if no availability at Wyndham. We have stayed at the Hilton when it was first built but we really liked the Embassey Suites the better of the two. The Embassey Suites offers a free daily buffet breakfast and minimal ($1) charge happy hour every evening. Another major benefit, albeit not as important now, is that they offer free van service down King St. They will take you down to the waterfront and when you are done with dinner you just call them and they come and pick you up wherever you are!

Be prepared to walk to anything you want to see! Never walked so far in my life as we do when we go to DC.

Joe33426 said:

Linda- you just spend too much time in South Florida where the 60s are the new 30s.


I have a client that's still driving and he just turned 100, not sure that 60s are elderly.

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I had to take the 4 wheel drive all tertian vehicle away from auntie last month. It is titled in my name now along with my red "4 by 4 pick'em up truck".

PS Last trip to South Florida was Thanksgiving Week 2014.

I don't think you will find anything that sleeps 5 in DC for 2 nights in June at $100 per night. A condo cleaning fee will probably be almost that much. Old Town Alexandria would need AP so probably full points plus a guest cert. DC suburbs convenient to a metro have hotels at or around $100 per night but for 5 adults you will need at least 2 rooms,

tschwa2 said:

.... DC suburbs convenient to a metro have hotels at or around $100 per night but for 5 adults you will need at least 2 rooms,

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Good advice ... even on a weekend.

Remember, Washington, DC was built on a MARSH ... and is surrounded by water. Mid June will give your relatives full understand of HOT and HUMID weather.

And LOTS of walking and lots of steps (looks good in pictures) but NO moving sidewalks to the ramps or elevators for the handicap accesses.

We stayed in the Residence Inn Alexandria last year. Convenient to the Metro, about a block from a Whole Foods, and the hotel has its own trolley to take you around Alexandria.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wasdk-residence-inn-alexandria-old-town-duke-street/

Try "hotwire.com. Never been hurt by them.

Thank you!

Thank you all for the suggestions. Very helpful. I have passed on the information to my family. It looks like they are going to reserve a condo in DC from vrbo.com.

Also, sorry about the use of the "E" word. I was just trying to solicit some more understanding for the last minute planning that it had turned out to be.

Since last night, I have done a fair amount of reading related to Washington DC that I now want to visit! Will need to add it to the bucket list... since I am all the way out in California.

Thanks again!

Hanburger said:

Hello,

I would like some advice on where to stay for a DC visit. I have elderly family members visiting Washington DC next month for the first time, but they have not made a lodging reservation yet and need help. I am from the west coast, have not visited DC myself, and do not know DC at all. They want to see the touristy places in DC. Several of them are in their sixties, so I think they would like somewhere convenient (i.e., within walking distance or a short train ride from the main touristy attractions.)

Any thoughts on where they should stay, even if they are not timeshares? There are 5 people total making the trip, and they plan to spend 2 nights/3 days in DC (June 12th through 14th). Their preference is either timeshare or condo rental. I put a general "Rental Wanted" ad in the Last Minute Rental forum, but not sure if anyone is going to respond there. Also I checked out vrbo.com, but I think there weren't too many options within DC that meet their budget.

Thank you for any suggestions you may have.
Han

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We live in Washington, DC (actually just on the border in Chevy Chase, MD). I would be happy to speak with you about options. I see you are looking at a condo. The critical piece is to know the area you are choosing and how easy it is to get about.

It is a wonderful city with endless options, of course. I would strongly suggest that you stay in the city itself. Places like Alexandria and other suburbs, with the possible exception of those on the northern leg of the Red Line are really off the beaten path for seeing the city. Old Town Alexandria is wonderful, but it is only a small part of DC.

It is true that the heat and humidity in summer can be oppressive. On the other hand, there are days of lower humidity that are delightful. We love al fresco dining and there is loads of that in the area.

You will need to think about areas to visit. It depends on what your family enjoys most. There are museums galore, fascinating architecture, beautiful gardens and historical places, monuments, and that is just a start. Were you to venture out on a day's drive you can be in the mountains in 60 to 90 minutes, the Blue Ridge in Virginia, or further north in Maryland near Camp David.

We have lived here 14 years and do love the city. Living here is a challenge as it can be expensive.

If your rented condo works, terrific. That can be the best of all worlds. I am unaware of any timeshares in the District. If you were looking for hotels, I would strongly look at Priceline and the special savings deals they have where you know the price and the hotel rating but not the exact hotel. You can choose neighborhood.

Happy to be helpful if I can be.

Best regards,

Ken
ksprang@wibclaw.com

How close is Bayse, Virginia to Washington, DC?

silentg said:

How close is Bayse, Virginia to Washington, DC?

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Per Google Maps (love this) from Basye (I think that is what you mean?) to DD it's 116 miles.

2-3 hours


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I would not stay at Bayse if I wanted to tour DC. Commute would be long. Maybe for a day, but there really isn't much to do around Bayse.

Nancy