I started writing the below info before I realized this is an old thread! Instead of trashing my work, I thought I'd add it just in case anyone else is planning a trip to DC. I love DC, and I've been a lot, and I have quite a few friends in the city and in Farifax County. I've been up for both Reagan and Ford's laying in state, and we ended up on the front page of the Washington Post as we were in the rotunda for Ford when they snapped a pic. Anyway, just wanted to share my two cents on one of my favorite non-Disney places!
I have stayed at the Grand Hyatt, which was adjacent to the Metro Center Metro stop. Years ago, I stayed at L'enfant, which was on the South side of the Mall. I don't think Loews Hotels still owns it though. More recently, I stayed at the Omni Shoreham for company business. If you are an AAA member, I would suggest you get one of the tour books for DC. The metro (subway) is very convenient, clean, and safe. You can pretty much go anywhere in the city and surrounding areas. The zoo is away from the museums and the mall, definitely take the metro there, I think it is the red line.
Yes, it is no longer a Loews Hotel, and I don't recommend staying there. It's in SE, and there's not a lot to do around there after 5. So, it's pretty deserted. The hotel is on the top of an office building, and the Metro is super convenient, but it's still in the bowels of the building. However, the original Phillips Seafood is very close, and that is awesome Chesapeake style seafood! They have a wonderful buffet that runs about $25 for dinner, and it's just amazing.
I recommend chosing a hotel in the NW district, by the way.
My fav DC hotel is Marriott Metro Center. It's pricy but nice, and the location rocks! You are just a few blocks east of the White House, and about five blocks north of the Mall. As the name suggests, you are right on top of Metro Center, so you can jump on three different lines from the same stop.
Another fav was the Homewood Suites on Mass Ave. It's a few blocks north of the closest stop at McPherson Square, but it is walking distance from the White House, but it would be best to take the Metro to the Mall.
On our last trip, we stayed at the Courtyard on F Street directly across from the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro stop. It's also across the street from the Spy Museum and cattycorner from the National Portrait Gallery. It is walking distance from the Mall and the White House.
Just one hint. If you take the Metro to the zoo (and that's the easiest way to get there) do NOT get off at the Zoo stop, but rather at the Cleveland Park one. The "official" Zoo stop will make you walk uphill for a few blocks; Cleveland Park will let you out about the same distance, but the walk will be downhill.
We stayed at the Marriot at the Zoo stop (?Woodley Park) because our daughter lives in Cleveland Park.
I concur! I had no idea that it would be uphill, and I was prego at the time. The zoo is lovely. We have a natural habitat zoo here, and I was worried I wouldn't like this one, but it really is very nice.
The Museum of American History is my fav museum, but it is closed for renovations until fall. However, you can see a small exhibit at the Air and Space Museum.
If you want to go up the Washington Monument, get there early, as they hand out timed tickets, and they will run out.
