Taking a road trip this summer and D.C. is one of our stops. I've been searching a bit for hotels but I'm not sure where is the best place to stay. We'd like to be close to the sights but don't want to spend a crapload of money. If it were just hubby and me, we'd stay wherever; we don't care. But Mom is going to be with us and, well, she has standards. So... can anyone recommend a (safe) neighborhood/area in D.C. proper? How about the metro area? Which place would offer easy and convenient transport into the city?

Thanks in advance for the help.

My parents recently stayed at the Embassy Suites:
http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/WASCCES...KVMETRNPK0CSGBIU222Q

They said it was centrally located and could walk most places. I tend to find Embassy Suites a good value...yummy free breakfast and, of course, cocktail hour.

When I visited DC several years ago, I think we stayed in the DuPont Circle neighborhood. Maybe. It was nice and central. The Adams Morgan neighborhood is near there, and it's the stylish trendy neighborhood. Also near Foggy Bottom. Georgetown is nice, but more removed/less central (I think...) and felt more residential, may not have hotels?

Edit: Here's a website that lists the different 'hoods.

Annie & Travis, thanks so much for the help!

Will this be helpful to you:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/travel/visitorsguide/wheretostay.htm

There's always the Lincoln bedroom...but you have to have your hands in the right pockets.

Linda Jones, thank you. That was very helpful. I've had a hard time finding affordable places to stay while planning this road trip. It's been a long time since I've searched for and booked "real" hotels and I am just shocked at how expensive they are!

My wife and I stayed at the Jurys Normandy Hotel just off Connecticut Ave. About 10 minute walk from Dupont Circle metro. I think we paid $140/night (sign on the room door said it was $450). It was very quiet and comfortable, but the room was small. If you can get a decent deal on it, I'd book it.

There is a great D.C. hostel you can check out called Loftstel. There's also couchsuring.

Freesia!

I've had great luck using Priceline to get cheap rates at DC area hotels. (I'm talking $70/night range for a 3-star -- Marriott, etc) If you choose "Dupont Circle" or "Georgetown-Foggy Bottom" you'll highly likely get a hotel near Metro or the free city bus service that gets you around town. Even "Crystal City" is a good bet - definitely near Metro and less than 15 mins to downtown.

Wait a moment -- I see you are coming by car? Then you could also choose "Arlington" for the best selection of hotels at the best rates in the area -- and parking will be cheaper there -- I'd still vote for taking the Metro downtown. Worst case you drive to Metro from your Arlington hotel.

When are you coming to town?? I'd be happy to help show you around!

Steve

Hey Steve,
Thanks for the tips. We'll be in DC in late July. As for Priceline... it's non-refundable, yes? I've used Priceline before, and I'm not opposed to it, but I'd hate to pay for a hotel and then something happens between now and July and we don't end up going on the trip, and then we're out that money. I did check out places in Arlington but we kinda want to stay in DC. Oh, and we just might take you up on the tour guide offer

Freesia! If you're going to be there for any length of time, like a week or more, google "corporate apartment". We just sold our house in Seattle, but needed a week to wrap up loose ends before getting out of Dodge. We just checked in to the apartment last night. For what we're paying, and what we're getting, it beats any hotel FLAT OUT.

Yes, Priceline is non-refundable, so that could be an issue. July should be fine for me to tour guide, just keep me posted.

You might also check hotels in Bethesda, MD... It's on the "Red Line" of the DC Metro and very easy to get to tourist attractions...

One hotel (2 blocks to metro): http://www.residenceinnbethesdahotel.com/

Or in Silver Spring (also on the Red Line, hotel 2 blocks to Metro):
See: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wassv-courtyard-silver-spring-downtown/


Or you might consider a corporate apartment (as someone mentioned) - Oakwood is a local provider... See www.oakwood.com

One well-placed property: http://www.oakwood.com/furnished-apartments/furnished/U...ington/prop6862.html

If you have to stay out of DC, I would recommend Arlington. If you stay in the right area (Steve can steer you right), it is a super cute city. And it is just across the bridge from DC. And there's the cemetery, the Pentagon, and I think Iwo Jima (although I could be wrong on that one). And they have a ginormous, nice mall (crystal city or something?).

I stayed in Silver Springs and somewhere else in MD when I was younger. It was also easy to access DC from there. But, I found it not as pretty as the Virginia side of things.

But, DC-proper is great.