Originally Posted by
djohannw
Thanks for the insight, and to clarify things further: We will arrive around 9pm into DCA, so only objective will be to get to the hotel (probably by 10pm) and then go to sleep.
On the next morning the idea was to have an early breakfast and then hop on the Metro to do some quick sightseeing in D.C. before we return to the hotel between noon and 1pm, pick up our stuff. After that head out to DCA again to pick up a rental car and drive to Potomac Mills, then on to IAD for our flight back to Europe at 9:50p.
Greetings - Dirk
Both properties have van/shuttle access from DCA to the hotel, so that would make getting TO either hotel quite easy. However, I'd give the Marriott a slight edge in convenience to the Metro (not much, though). Given that breakfast seems to be somewhat important to you (meaning that you mentioned it), that also gives a bit of an edge to the Marriott.
Have you used this itinerary before? I ask as it seems like you are packing a lot into one day. I have no idea how long you plan to spend at Potomac Mills or what shopping you plan to do, but I throw out this alternative: go to the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets instead of Potomac Mills. I think the shopping experience will be much better, and you'll cut out some of the potential variability in traffic getting from DCA to Potomac Mills and then on to IAD. The Leesburg outlets are a pretty easy shot to IAD and, I'm fairly certain, will take less travel time.
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet...ting.asp?id=14
Google maps currently shows 47 minutes to the Leesburg outlets and then 19 minutes from the outlets to IAD. The same app shows 42 minutes from DCA to Potomac Mills and 42 minutes from PM to IAD. Saving some time on the road might give you a little more sightseeing time or shopping time. But, again, this is just my two cents, as I have no idea if there's something specific you need at PM.