Another vote for the Key Bridge property. Nice views, and it's really not that far of a walk to the Metro.

I couldn't find the Mayflower correspondence handily, but found this below from the Renaissance. Since I actually stayed at the JW last time, I can tell you you are not entitled to breakfast vouchers. Of course, that doesn't mean you can't or won't get them if you ask nicely. ;)


Good Morning Ms. krobbins-

The lounge is not open on the weekends and we do not give out breakfast certificates over the weekend, but as a Platinum you would be entitled to your Platinum upgrade.

Courtney XXXXX
Reservations Sales Manager
Renaissance Washington DC Hotel
202-962-XXXX (Direct)
202-962-XXXX (Fax)

The Residence Inn Rosslyn is nice for a Residence Inn as well; the staff is very friendly, it's in a quiet upscale residential neighborhood, and it's only a Category 3. I stayed there at the beginning of last month for 4 nights. It's only about a 5 minute walk from the Rosslyn metro station, and a 10-15 minute walk to get across the Key Bridge into Georgetown. You'll get a free hot breakfast daily, and the "social hour" food in the evenings during the week is good too. There's also a Starbucks right across the street from the hotel.

2 new(?)MI properties near/in DC
 

There is a new RI at National Harbor
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...washington-dc/

And a new FI on New york avenue.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...w-york-avenue/

Any info on these properties?

How many travelers? Recommendations may be different for 2 mobile adults vs a family & with or w/o children or elderly.

2 able bodied men-one into cycling/walking swimming.
The other into museums and culture.
Both fairly adventurous.
Not into bars/nightclubs although one will explore this a little.

BigGuy - Unless you will have a car, I wouldn't recommend either of these properties. To be fair, I haven't ever been to either of them, but the location is not nearly as good as something like the Key Bridge Marriott or even Crystal City.

The NY Ave property is a long walk through a mildly sketchy area to get to a Metro - at least 2 miles, if I had to take a guess. You could take a bus, but it really isn't convenient.

The National Harbor property is also not located near any Metro stations. Again, you would have to drive or take a bus to get to the Metro.

I would certainly recommend KB Marriott, Crystal City, Wardman Park, or Washington Marriott over either of these other two properties - they are in much better areas and much more convenient to everything.

I agree with JKM - for your first time, I definitely suggest something central with access to metro. The two new ones you mentioned look nice, but I would never recommend for tourists.

I don't think anyone upthread mentioned the CY at Cap Hill. I've never stayed there, but my parents have done so a couple of times and liked it. Here's the caveat emptor... they're not super picky and don't see why I insist on the Ritz whenever possible. :p

Best bets are Renaissance properties and the JW, IMHO. I don't like to be in Virginia, but that's just me. When I'm in the city, I want to step out the door and BE there.

Having a car in DC is a hassle since parking is expensive and parking ticket enforcement is much better than road maintenance. If you want to do anything outside of DC, I think Crystal Gateway or Key Bridge Marriott would be a good choice. The parking is cheaper, and it is easier to not drive in DC.

You should get appetizer and drink coupons too.

Without a doubt...

Either the JW Marriott or the Ren on M.

The JW is basically across the street from the Mall, with all the museums, historical sights, monuments, and it's a great place to walk or bike. You are in the thick of tourist Washington. (Be warned, though, of the noise.)

The Ren on M is located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, which is a short cab ride or Metro ride to the Mall, and is in the thick of a neighborhood full of small, interesting shops and restaurants that you would probably enjoy. (Yes, it's also where many of the bars are located, but there is a lot more to the neighborhood. I'm not much of a bar person anymore, but I still love this neighborhood for it's vibe.) You are also steps from Rock Creek Park, which is great for biking or hiking.

The Mayflower and the VA hotels are in the middle of business districts or, in the case of the RI, a b-o-r-i-n-g residential area like many others across America. And I don't think I'd stay on NY Ave. It's still a little sketchy. It's not going to give you the experience you're looking for.

The JW or the Ren on M will give you a better, more real, DC experience.

My experience at the Mayflower this year: No coupons, they just gave me a free buffet breakfast every morning, and I didn't have to ask.

Two questions; first, when this year? Second, how did the comped breakfast work? Did you expect to pay, but it wasn't on the bill when you checked out, or did the restaurant mgr have your name as a plat guest, or something else?

This is my favorite DC property, in the same block as the Metro red line, walking close to mucho attractions including DuPont Circle, the extraordinary Phillips Collection, the White House, shopping and galleries, restaurants, etc. It also has the real feel of Washington history.

A few have commented as to how small the smaller rooms are. I've always been upgraded so have never experienced this, but would surely want to avoid those rooms.

Earlier this year - spring. They volunteered the information at check-in. I was charged for the tip only for my breakfasts at the restaurant. I agree it is a nice location for the reasons you mentioned. I believe they have a relatively high ratio of suites to standard rooms and make it a point to try to upgrade higher tier elites to suites when they can. I do not know if they give the same treatment to gold elites as platinums.

I'm concerned that they may have changed the policy subsequent to your stay. Obviously, this would be a significant backwards step for a property that has provided such a perk for the many years I've stayed there.