Advice on hotel for March on Washington in October??

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/21/09 at 7:21pm

We're a group of 4 who will split a hotel room for the march on washington mall. Does anyone recommend a particular hotel location to those familiar with the area? We should probably book the night before and the night during, right?

Thanks!!

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 6/21/09 at 8:13pm

If it's anything like 1993, you'll definitely want to be there the day before - it was an amazing party all around Dupont Circle, very much a carnival atmosphere throughout the city.

I think I stayed at the Marriott downtown, which is within walking distance of the Mall.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 6/21/09 at 10:27pm

Priceline is allowing starting bids at $60 in the Capitol Hill area for a 4 star hotel, meaning you put in that bid amount and a 4 star hotel may take the price. You may have to up your bid to around $100, but it would be worth it. You can't pick where you stay, but you can get a great deal. Of course, you can bid less for fewer stars, depending on what you want.

I was trying to book a room for an August weekend in Manhattan. I couldn't find a single room under $225 a night before taxes. I bid $100 on Priceline. Within seconds, I got the Westin for less than $250 after tax for both nights. A friendly email explaining my plans for the weekend got us an upgrade to a corner suite on one of the top five floors.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/21/09 at 11:19pm

I got the Marriot on K for $75/night the weekend before Christmas through priceline. If there's a general area you want to stay in but not a specific hotel then that's your best bet. Just choose your location and your what star level you want.

[broadwaytourist]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 9:01am

When I first heard Cleve Jones mention a March in October, I went to my ususal hotel of choice's web site and made cancellable reservations for a hotel near the mall. Now, I can shop for a better deal if they are available, but as the march becomes more and more a reality, I would think hotel deals would disappear. As an aside, I have stayed at the Hilton (I think) in Dupont Circle, and I really liked it. Close to the Metro and great neighborhood. Loved Kramer's Bookstore.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 12:19pm

Capitol Hill refers to the far side of the Capitol. There's not very good Metro accessibility in that area. It's also pretty residential so there aren't many restaurants. You're better off at Metro Center or Dupont Circle. Metro access is really more important than proximity to the Mall. Anywhere on Red Line is probably best because of the Metro Center-DuPont Circle-Adams Morgan run, but I'm a bit biased.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 8:16pm

The Hotel Allen Lee is near the Foggy Bottom metro stop. It's a plain hotel with clean beds and linens. The bathrooms might be a bit antiquated, but everything works. The last time I was there (2001), a single room was $45/night. I used to stay there frequently in my college days.

I just learned they've opened two other hotels in DC.
Hotel Allen Lee

Updated On: 6/22/09 at 08:16 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 8:18pm

Isn't that a bathhouse?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 8:19pm

No, i's not a bath house.

Thank you very much.

[DAME]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 8:21pm

That is too bad.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 8:23pm

Not for those of us who lead virtuous lives.

[DAME]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 8:28pm

"Not for those of us who lead virtuous lives."

Oh .. how boring. I feel bad for you.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 8:31pm

Don't feel sorry for me. I'm proud to say that my virtue's never been tested!

[DAME]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 8:36pm

Ok. I wont feel sorry for you. I am glad mine gets tested repeatively and fails.

Capnhook... I was at the last HRC march in Washington. We stayed at a Shertaon that was right near Dupont circle and right across from a very conveniant Metro stop.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 8:47pm

The Sheraton is a classy hotel, but the Sherataon is a massage parlor. (It also gets high ratings on Corine's Corner--DC edition)

Updated On: 6/22/09 at 08:47 PM

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 6/22/09 at 8:51pm

I obviously don't know Washington well! :) On Priceline, everything is divided into zones. Capitol Hill/Convention Center is just one of the zones. White House, Dupont Circle and Georgetown/Foggy Bottom are also available zones. Play around and see what you can get.
You can see the zones here...

[circusliz]

Posted: 6/23/09 at 1:12pm

I recommend checking the Holiday Inn or the Marriott Key Bridge in Rosslyn. They're both within walking distance to Georgetown, DC is one metro stop away, and the prices are usually reasonable because you're across the river. The Marriott often has excellent special deals.

[EmmaT]

Posted: 6/24/09 at 2:51pm

For location - I'd suggest the Marriott on 22nd Street (between M and N Streets NW). Within walking distance to Dupont Circle, a 10 minute walk to Georgetown and a short walk to the Foggy Bottom metro. Also right around the corner from Mei Wah - a great chinese restaurant.