In May this year, I stayed at both Crystal Gateway (during weekdays) and Crystal City (on weekend). I prefer the Gateway better as echoed by many. It is simply a better property in many ways. However, its rated as a CAT 4 (vs CC is a CAT 5). As for public transport, the Metro is but 4 to 5 minutes walk, all indoor. If you want to see DC, you can get to almost everywhere by subway. That's the reason I stayed in Arlington location.

Cl closes at both properties on weekend (as far as I recall), breakfast coupons provided when CL was closed at the CC (my own experience).

See also:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...crystal&page=2