Anyone who has stayed at the Hotel Washington, in Washington, D.C. - please tell me if it's any good.?

I disagree strongly with the person who suggested you stay in the suburbs. It is indeed somewhat less expensive (and Crystal City is significantly less expensive - or will be next spring since a number of government offices will be relocating out of it). But I don't get the sense that this poster is looking for a less expensive alternative, and that the loss of an hour or so a day commuting in might make a difference.

The Hotel Washington is a great hotel. It is older, but hardly seedy - and in a great location. While the one poster is correct about it being near a workday/office area, the truth is that it is only a few blocks from a very vital evening destination, the Penn District - which is the location of DC's theatre core, chinatown and the like. There are also quite a number of restauarants along Pennsylvania avenue, and it's central location makes it very desirable. I'd consider it a great choice for a DC stay.

Other options (DuPont Circle, Capitol Hill) are also well located. DuPont is about a mile north of the central tourist area, but located in such a great nightlife and neighborhood center that you have to recommend it. The big question here is how much the original poster likes (as I do) to be able to access the hotel for a quick stop during the day, possibly an afternoon nap and the like. If the poster travels that way, then the further out hotels, DuPont, Arlington VA, make less sense.

One exceptionally important thing - make those reservations immediately. The Cherry Blossom time is by far the busiest tourism time in DC, and the rooms book up way in advance. You are best being settled now.

There is nothing wrong with the Hotel Washington. It is located directly across from the Treasury Dept and 1 block from the White House. The Washington Monument is about 4 blocks away. The subway system is about 1 block away.

The rooftop restaurant at the Hotel Washington is great. The rooms are a bit smaller than the newer hotels but still fine.

The JW Marriott is nicer and in the very same neighborhood but costs about $75 more per night.

Whatever hotel you decide on, make reservations well in advance of going. Cherry Blossom time is very busy.

Hotel Washington is an extremely nice hotel and is centrally located near the mall and White House during the day. However, it's located in the central business district, and it's a bit of a wasteland down there after dark. It's not unsafe, but everything in that area caters to office workers and will begin shutting down at 6 pm. As mentioned above, the Mayflower is a similarly priced and style hotel that is located further up Connecticut Avenue near Dupont Circle. The Dupont area is more of an entertainment district, and will give you many more choices for dining and entertainment in the evenings.

The Metrorail in Washington DC does an excellent job taking care of the tourists. If you and your family are flying into DC then of the 3 airports (Reagon National, Dulles, or BWI) the best choices if you want to avoid taxis and are not carrying much luggage would be Reagan National Airport bec it has its own Metrorail stop, then Dulles Airport which is much farther out to the west, transportation into DC is much more expensive than Reagan.

Where to Stay might be rather expensive running $100 and up per night but the safest places where it seems like the bulk of the tourists stay are located in Arlington County VA as evidenced by the crowded Metrorail in the morning and evening commutes. Hotels in Crystal City, Pentagon City, Rosslyn, Ballston, Clarendon and Falls Church all have Metrorail stops. Also the one in Pentagon City has one of the larger indoor malls plus across the street is a Costco Warehouse. If you are renting a car and flew into Dulles, then it is possible to stay in nice lodging facilities in Fairfax County but you would have to pay for parking at the Metro or if you drove into DC, I would not advise bec parking is limited and tickets would simply ruin your vacation.

Best of Luck and Enjoy Your Well Deserved Vacation!

Stay at the Mayflower or the Hilton. The Hotel Washington has seen better days.