Originally Posted by So
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Fair Lakes vs Dulles[/B]: There is nothing around Dulles, but there are two malls a very short walk from Fair Lakes, plus the Fairfax Corner (name??) a short drive. Fair Lakes is also slightly more convenient to downtown DC (take 66 east and no tolls). Both hotels are a bit tired, but food and staff and other facilities are fine, and similar, at both.
That's not true. I used to work across from the Hyatt Dulles. There's a rather larger shopping plaza the locals refer to as the "Clocktower" that's ~ a mile away by foot, 10+ restaurants in that shopping center, a Gold's gym, a couple local watering holes, and a grocery store. As a local, Reston is the obvious choice if you are looking for things to do, HP East/HR Dulles for proximity to IAD, and FL if you need to be in the Fairfax area or closer to DC.