I think I want to stay in an embassy suites to make it comfortable for 4 in 1 room.There is one downtown--one in alexandria---one in crystal city and I think 1 in georgetown.Any advice which is best --want to make it really cool for my 13 yo.Also any chance that any of them have cool views of dc at nite.Also anyone have a list of must sees or avoids seeing thru the eyes of a 13 yo---thanks

Once again:

There is a Doubletree Guest Suites in Foggy Bottom near GWU that is not bad, and with HUGE rooms and reasonable rates. The Rooms are decent sized 1 bedroom apartments with full kitchens. It's reasonably priced, and convenient to the Metro.

Few rooms in D.C. have great views, because of the bulding height restictions. The Hay Adams has some rooms that look directly at the White House, but those are pricey. Some hotels in VA have nice views.

[This message has been edited by BoSoxFan45 (edited 11-21-2000).]

I have stayed at the Embassy Suites in Herndon, VA which is about 10 minutes from IAD. It is in a very business oriented area and has higher rates and tough availability. It is new, (Aug. 00?) and is very nice (with swans in the foyer).

I'm e-mailing from DC now....

It's hard to say what a 13 year old would like, but my guess is seeing things like the Washington Monument, Air and Space Museum, etc. so I would recommend not the Alexandria one-- that's quite a trek. Crystal City is a short (like 8 min) subway ride from the DC monuments, and in Crystal City itself, there are malls, restaurants, etc.-- and plane watching at National Airport up the street. My huinch is Georgetown would appeal to a slightly older crowd than 13. As for downtown DC itself, I can't really think of what would really appeal to him. Also if he will be venturing on his own after hours, you may do better to avoid downtown DC. So, I would say between Crystal City and Georgetown.

As far as cool views, from Crystal City you can see across the river to DC, but again because of building height, you may not be very high.

[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 11-21-2000).]

While the IAD/Herndon Embassy is typical of the Embassy style, I do not recommend it as the poster wants to have quick access to DC.

The best view of the IAD Embassy will be the Dulles tollroad and the McDonald's across the street!

[*] Embassy Suites in Alexandria is right across the street from the Yellow/Blue Line Metro stop. It is a nice, newer property and is less business oriented than the Herndon and/or Crystal City locations. The Metro ride time to the Smithsonian Metro stops is about 10 minutes with no change of trains.
[*] Crystal City is very business oriented... not much to do there except go to the Pentagon City mall (for shopping you can find in just about any major city anyway).

For 13 year olds:
[*] The Air & Space Museum (check out the IMAX theater).
[*] Call your congressman's office and ask for a White House tour - they do all the work and you get a much better tour than if you get in line out in front of 1600 Penn. Ave for the general tour.
[*] The National Holocaust Museum.
[*] For lunch while downtown, hit the rooftop cafe at The Washington Hotel. Right across the street from the White House, it has he best view in the city.

enjoy your trip

[This message has been edited by geo1004 (edited 11-21-2000).]

Good advice. I'd call the Congreesman right NOW - or better yet, yesterday , as even in the "off" season these book up rather quickly and a month or more of advance notice is NOT unusual and often necessary!

Have a great trip!

My two cents:

Forget Crystal City. Though not far from Metro, it's the farthest walk to a Metro station of any of the three ES in town. And the walk ain't exactly scenic.

I generally despise sending tourists to stay in the suburbs, but I will reluctantly concur with the ES in Alexandria as being the best choice for tourists. Don't be under the impression that it's in the middle of Old Town Alexandria, however, because it's not. It's surrounded by office buildings and overlooks the Metro parking lot. It *is* across from the Metro, though.

The ES in Chevy Chase is atop the Metro and lots of shopping, but as others have said, you can shop anywhere. It actually does not take that much longer to get to downtown from Friendship Heights on the Red Line than it does from King Street on the Yellow Line, and because the FS station is technically in the city, the rush hour surcharge will be lower. By the way, the Embassy Suites in Chevy Chase is not in Georgetown, though I suppose theoretically it's not that far in terms of mileage. Forget about walking there, though.

All in all, I'd say it's a toss-up; I live close to the one in Chevy Chase, but work near the one in Alexandria. Go for the one with the cheaper rate.

I might try to do the best of both worlds..a couple days in chevy chase and a couple in alexandria to maximize double dipping if I can talk husband into it--he hates to switch hotels thanks for input

I agree on Alexandria. And it has the added advantage that Old Town Alexandria is a great tourist spot in its own right. Lots of colonial history. And great restaurants. Used to live in Old Town. I would stay the entire time there, as I hate changing hotels too.

Djlawman