DC traffic any worse than any other Metro area, and once you get in the city its fine. There are plenty of garages and street parking, and it is roughly 5.00-10.00 to park for an hour or two in DC. The phrase here that is troubling is the "you will lose all of your VA/MD clients" and I have to call bullshit. Look at all ladies staying in the area, TS or GG and you will find a majority stay in DC all or a portion of that visit. It's generally the people scared of their own shadow out in Tyson's that don't know there is a world outside of it that make remarks like this.

Your initial thought to stay in Crystal City is totally fine as it's both Metro accessible as well as parking friendly for those who are terrified to mix with the unwashed masses. Should you elect to go into DC you can find many of the Kimpton brand hotels on special for less than 150/night, as well as many of the boutique hotels in the area around Dupont Circle and Woodley Park. Plus staying in either CC or Dupont you have the ability to either walk to get something to eat or pick up items you might need, or could hop on the Metro. You are trapped to a taxi ride out in VA, which adds up quick.

This area is fragmented into the MD/BWI gang, VA gang and DC gang and either party will tell you how the other two areas are crap and if you visit them you will lose business and in turn be the downfall for modern civilization. In reality no area is any worse than the other, no area has worse traffic than the other and all have their great reasons to stay never. Take it all with a grain of

I live in Va.  Here is my take on the overall situation:
1.  Route 7, the main drag at Tysons is a nightmare at present with all of the subway construction, the opening and closing of Beltway (I-495) ramps to access Tysons not to mention the overall traffic paralysis on "Rush Day" (7AM through 8PM).
However, if yu have a car, or if you don't mind being "immobile" , Bella, check the "Fairview" area near Tyson's.  clients are able to avoid Tyson's.

2.  Crystal City in Arlington is fine without a car for you since there is a complete underground city with shops and stores galore.  It is not bad parking for clients as well.

3.  Alexandria is great also depending on where in Alexandria you are located.  Old town is great if you don't have a car.  Other spots may require a car to get around to shops, etc.

4.  D.C. is fine for subway riders.  Parking is ok after 7PM except that clients may not want to pay for parking in lots.  There is street parking for clients near Dupont Circle and the Hilton area, but generally better on weekends than during the week, especially after 7:30PM.  Hotels in D.C. tend to be more expensive than all of the other locations.

5.  BWI is ok except for clients coming from Va. and from D.C. between 3:30 and 7:30PM Mon - Thurs. and on Friday PM - forgedabout it.  Sat and Sundays are fine for travel usually.  plenty of parking near BWI and hotel prices are lower overall compared to other places.

Overall ideal choice is probably Crystal City (Arlington) for everyone.  But ask Asian Gee or Tia Phoenix for their take on D.C. area to confirm a choice.

xoxoxo