All things being equal - Old Town Alexandria vs. National Harbor?

[paxsarah]

We have a March reservation for 6 nights at OTA. Our plan is hard-core DC tourism with our two kids, 10 and 13. We plan to take Metro to get to the museums/memorials/etc. and will probably eat lunch wherever we are while we're out, and cook most dinners in our unit.

I never really considered National Harbor because of the higher points plus parking fee and transportation inconvenience. However, there's a huge points discount on National Harbor right now for our dates where we would save 45-55k points (depending on balcony or not) over our existing OTA reservation. A chunk of that would be taken up by the parking fee, and I would expect to take Uber/Lyft to get to our destinations from NH (instead of Metro from OTA) and that would probably take up the rest of the savings, more or less. So I would think it's basically a wash in terms of cost. At the moment I'm still slightly inclined to stick with OTA but I'm open to switching. Does anyone have anything that would push me over the fence to one side or the other?

(Of course, if the government shuts down again I'll probably cancel at 15 days and go for Williamsburg or maybe Myrtle Beach.)

 

[DaveNV]

I haven’t stayed at NH, for all the reasons you state, but I have stayed at OTA twice. There is something very convenient about walking across the street and getting on the Metro. No traffic or parking hassles, no Uber delays or traffic snarls, which can be brutal in DC. That one-less-headache makes it quite a win-win for me.

Add in that Reagan Intl is only two Metro stops away from OTA, and things begin to tip highly in favor of OTA. Restaurants all over the neighborhood, Whole Foods store basically a block away, easy location if you decide to order in.

For me, who doesn’t have to consider keeping kids busy, OTA is the clear winner.

Dave

 

[tschwa2]

The only thing in favor of National Harbor is an onsite pool. I believe there is no access on or off site to a pool at OTA these days. Usually you can get enough reward by doing a sit down at National Harbor to cover parking.

Overall I would stick to to OTA.

 

[comicbookman]

We have stayed at both many times over the years. The indoor pool at NH is very nice. The indoor play areas have more things to do for older kids. The rooms are a little nicer as well. For wandering around DC, the convenience of the metro at OTA is really hard to beat. Also, Hard Times chili is barely a block away.

 

[55plus]

There is, or was, a free National Harbor shuttle that runs every half hour to and from NH to King Street Metro Station.

 

[dgalati]

OTA great location on King street. No need for a car The rail for transportation across street will drop you at Regan airport, Arlington and many other locations. Or you can walk down King Street and take the water taxi to National Harbor or the monument. King street has a lot of nice restaurants and shops.

 

[Jan M.]

We've never stayed at NH but we've stayed OTA 5 or 6 times and the location is hard to beat. You said you will be there to do "hard-core DC tourism" so I believe OTA would mean less travel time going back and forth each day. OTA doesn't charge for parking and since you commented on the charge for parking at NH I'm guessing you are driving. Keep an eye open for cheap flights into Reagan. As Dave said it is so easy to take the Metro to OTA. Some of the stays were for my husband and son but we are always so busy when we go that they ever used the pool so I can't comment on that. In addition to the Metro stop being right there it is also convenient to walk down King St. to find a nice selection of restaurants and shops.

 

[paxsarah]

I did forget to mention but yes, we'll be driving up so we'll have a car regardless - but the idea of driving into the city and parking is not my is not my kind of vacation, so Metro or Uber/Lyft are my planned modes of transportation. I'm kind of glad that most are coming down on the side of OTA, I was just just feeling a little FOMO about the points discount at National Harbor.

 

[55plus]

We are deeded at OTA. It's our favorite destination.

 

[chapjim]

I did forget to mention but yes, we'll be driving up so we'll have a car regardless - but the idea of driving into the city and parking is not my is not my kind of vacation, so Metro or Uber/Lyft are my planned modes of transportation. I'm kind of glad that most are coming down on the side of OTA, I was just just feeling a little FOMO about the points discount at National Harbor.

BITE YOUR TONGUE!!

Don't use drive and Washington, DC in the same sentence!

Stick with Old Town Alexandria. If you will be doing hard core tourism, last thing you want to do is fiddle around with shuttles and Metro buses to get back to National Harbor. Take the Yellow or Blue Line to King Street, walk across the street, and you're home at OTA.

Don't worry about another shutdown. There are plenty of things to do in the District regardless. Drive to Mount Vernon, never to the District.

You'll have more choices for eateries on King Street or even across to Duke Steet and prices will be way lower than at National Harbor. Somebody mentioned Hard Times Cafe -- tough to beat for wings, chili, burgers, and cold beer. It's just down the street. An Italian place (Quattro Formaggio or something close to that) is on Duke Street -- just walk through the little plaza across from the entrance to OTA.I

I live about 11 miles from OTA and maybe 14 from NH. We stay at NH more often because there is more short notice availability there than at OTA.

If a pool is a must, you're limited to National Harbor.

 

[ronparise]

I always stayed at National Harbor, but I grew up in Washington (I went to high school at North Capitol and Eye Sts) I spent most of my adult life in Annapolis I did a different museum or Gallery once a month with my daughter So when I go to DC now I don’t do DC. I have family all over Maryland and I always have a car. So I always stay at National Harbor

Don’t try to drive into Washington. the metro works great although there is no stop in Georgetown and the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials are a hike. Wear comfortable shoes

Don’t forget the stuff outside of DC Arlington Cemetary, Mount Vernon for example

You may never have seen escalators like those in the metro system If you are using the metro during rush hour heed the unwritten escalator rules. The right side is for standing, the left side is the passing lane and for God’s sake don’t drop your umbrella or cane. You could impale someone

If you have a car and you have the time, day trips to Baltimore and Annapolis are worthwhile. If you do that, National Harbor would work best Otherwise I’d stay at Old Town

 

[erniecrews]

I agree with Ron, in addition the kids will enjoy National Harbor much more.

 

[chapjim]

I agree with Ron, in addition the kids will enjoy National Harbor much more.

Agree there are more activities at National Harbor. Does OP have kids? If so and if they will be subject to OP's "hard core tourism," kids will be wiped out when they get back. It won't matter where they are as long as there's a rack.

People don't understand distances in Washington, DC until they've walked them.

 

[DaveNV]

People don't understand distances in Washington, DC until they've walked them.

You got that right! Maps make it look like it's "just over there." Reality is, after a twenty minute hike, you're still ten minutes away.

Dave

 

[uscav8r]

I live just outside the Beltway and have been to OTA and the National Harbor area, though not to the Wyndham. While both are fun, ease of access is quite different.

If your goal really is to do DC, then go OTA all the way. If you want to spend a day and/or evening in NH to see what is there, it is a quick drive over the bridge. Otherwise the Metro access from OTA is super convenient.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Melder]

Since you are driving there... Will you be touring on Sunday? If yes, make that your walking day. Free street parking on Sundays. We had a family of 8 when we visited. I dropped everyone off at the Lincoln Memorial than parked right next to the Museum of Natural History. Of course, I had to jog 1.5 miles to catch up to them. The key is to leave early and visit the outdoor attractions first. By the time you visit the memorials and monument, the museums will be open (10am, I think). Easy driving on Sunday. Much better than the Metro with tired, grouchy kids.

My preference is OTA, due to the free trolley that makes it easy to get to anyplace on King Street.

 

[ecwinch]

Be sure to check the metro schedule because King Street station is scheduled to be closed for a extended period for renovation - and I think it is during the time period you mention. The parking lot in front of the metro was already closed/fenced off in preparation when we were there Monday. As the front desk explained it, the Metro will have a shuttle from King Street to the next stop on the line (Braddock) during that period.

They have discontinued the free shuttle from NH to the metro.

 

[55plus]

No washers and dryer in rooms, but they are available in the building.

 

[ecwinch]

No washers and dryer in rooms, but they are available in the building.

Dont only the NH Presidential units have washer/dryers?

 

[comicbookman]

Dont only the NH Presidential units have washer/dryers?

Yes

 

[chapjim]

Be sure to check the metro schedule because King Street station is scheduled to be closed for a extended period for renovation - and I think it is during the time period you mention. The parking lot in front of the metro was already closed/fenced off in preparation when we were there Monday. As the front desk explained it, the Metro will have a shuttle from King Street to the next stop on the line (Braddock) during that period.

They have discontinued the free shuttle from NH to the metro.

The big Metro closure is from Memorial Day to Labor day according to the last announcement I saw (and posted here on TUG). Every station south of National Airport will be closed.

I'll have to drive by King Street on the way home some afternoon to see what it looks like.

Before the shuttle started between NH and King Street, there was a shuttle between National Harbor and one of the Green Line Metro stations -- Branch Avenue maybe. There is Metro bus service (NH-1) to the Southern Avenue Metro station. There is also Metro bus service (NH-2) between NH and the King Street Metro station but that won't be useful if the Metro station is closed.

 

[OutSkiing]

We've been to both and feel Alexandria is best. Having the metro across the street is very nice for touring around DC. And the nightlife is wonderful in Akexandria .. you'll find affordable restaurants to include the kids. Genuine old town city discoveries. The free parking at Alexandria is an amazing perk as well. You can't park at the metro stations for free unless you go further out of town .. I checked once when we were stuck at NH. I think there are water taxies between NH and Alexandria but there wasn't a shuttle when we were there. And if you get stuck in traffic from NH it can take 45 minutes to get across to Alexandria. NH is entirely 'man made' .. could be any shopping district built anywhere in the states in the last 10 years. Same chain 'high end' restaurants you'd find anywhere. The only plus side to NH for us was the dueling piano bar .. fun adult entertainment right around the corner from the resort. I guess the pool and farris wheel could be good for a little entertainment but not earthshaking. The one thing my wife wonders about is the new casino build near NH .. would be something to see if you like that sort of thing.

Bob