Originally Posted by
mynameisdmoon
Best bang for buck for 35k cert (+ top off) in DC area (downtown probably ideal?) with great elite recognition? Will be staying late Feb mid week (Wed -> Thurs) for a positioning to IAD (8pm flight but don't want to risk any delays/weather cancellations). Haven't been in DC before so will be looking forward to using late check out to do a quick tour (probably will be spending half the time in the Smithsonian...). Making a points booking before the dynamic overload comes crushing in.
Was looking at the AC Hotel DC Downtown, JW, Madison, Mayflower. JW probably best in terms of location.
On side note, are hotels in DC usually this expensive cash wise???
I am a walker and I'd stay in any of those properties for tourism. In addition Uber/Lyft is readily available. In addition, and I am local, if I had a 8 PM flight out of IAD, I'd be hitting the road between 3 and 4 at the latest as traffic is fairly back to normal in DC.
I see you'll be here during the week, so lounge breakfast shouldn't be an issue for PLT or above at JW. (I am assuming that the lounge has reopened; if not the JW is exempt from providing any breakfast outside the lounge.) I've stayed in the Mayflower, but its been awhile, so I can't provide accurate information. I just asked about The Madison upthread, It looks as if there is a $10 F&B credit in lieu of the open lounge. The Madison was recently a Hilton property I think.
And, yes, rates for WDC hotels, IMHO, are higher than pre-COVID.
Hope this helps.