Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am looking to visit the Washington DC area this summer but I am unsure where to stay.  I have heard many different areas but am not sure about any of them.  Please feel free to send a private message.  Thank you.

XoXo,
Teena

DuPont Circle has many hotel choices and is convenient to the Metro.

of thought on this topic,  There are those who are 100% suburbanites strongly tied to their cars and never getting near Metro; they favor places like Tyson's Corner, with several hotels with lots of free parking.  They don't like downtown locations like Dupont Circle because of the hassle driving there and very linited/expensive parking.  Then there are the urbanites, regular users of the city and the Metro system, who favor a location like Dupont Circle and don't really relish driving throough the traffic mess that Tyson's Corner has become.  These two views will never be reconciled.
So what a number of providers do is split the difference, 2-3 nights in Dupont Circle or some other place downtown, then move out to Tyson's for 2-3 more nights.  The only drawback to Tyson's for a provider is that it's usually hard to get from any hotel to anything else (e. g. shopping & restaurants) without a car, so if you're visiting that means either a rental that sits in the hotel parking lot 90% of the time you're paying for it, or eating in the hotel restaurant and/or doing delivery.  Downtown areas like Dupont Circle have lots of shops/restaurants within a couple of blocks of most hotels, & Metro opens up the whole city.

There are hotels in Tysons which are right across the street from the malls, with shopping and restaurants in easy walking distance.

Since I am a "driver" and not a "rider", I personally prefer Bethesda near Metro Center to Dupont Circle.

For me, between the two, I like Tysons, but then I don't work downtown. If you split your stay between Dupont Circle and Tysons Corner, try to pick Dupont for weekdays and Tysons for the weekend.

Another option is Bethesda MD, which has both urban and suburban characteristics. Parking is not as bad as that of Dupont Circle, there's a Metro station, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants near hotels. Guys from MD would love it.

OK, there's the fourth option -- BWI, preferred by those who live near Baltimore.

'right across the street' in Tyson's isn't like it is in Akron; if the 'street' is Rte 123 or Rte 7, crossing the street on foot can be a bit daunting to say the least.  Of course if you just want to go out once a day for dinner you can always use a cab for a lot less than renting a car, but Tyson's is very much car and not pedestrian friendly.

To be frank, I don't understand why more people don't go here.

It is generally opposite direction of traffic if you are coming from VA during rush hour. It is about 15 minutes from D.C.

Parking is plentiful. There are around 5 hotels, with plenty of places to eat and shop within walking distance.

And if you are from Baltimore and really want to see a certain provider, 295 is a straight shot 30 minutes away without traffic.

It is central, less traffic issues, no parking issues ($3 dollars) and plenty of restaurants and shops within walking distance.

Personally, if I plan on driving into D.C. I need to add an extra 30 minutes travel just to be sure extra sure about finding parking.

I actually just came from National Harbor. In my eyes, it has few advantages and many drawbacks. You note cheap parking and plenty of hotel rooms. I agree on those.

There isn't really anything near National Harbor. You can't walk down the street to a drugstore. No shops with any personality. There are a number of restaurants, but quality may be an issue (IMHO). No Metro access. Things will be better when the complex is done and tenants have filled out the space, but it is really sparse right now. Compare that to the shopping/dining/browsing options in Alexandria, Bethesda, Tyson's or Dupont Circle. It is pitiful in comparison. Those little things are nice when guys arrive early or need to kill some time. I can imagine that the ladies like there to be something other than a wasteland outside the hotel itself.

I'm not going to wade into the battle over which location is the best. Many of the one mentioned have lots of merits. But National Harbor can be a major drag. Just my $.02, of course.

As an added bonus, it's right across the bridge from Alexandria.

You are getting good response to your inquiry and like I did, I suspect others are sending you PMs. Something to consider before you book a hotel, no matter what area you choose. be sure the hotel does not require key for elevator. Several do, and most ladies don't wish to meet their gentlemen callers downstairs in the lobby. Call the hotel directly and find out before you book.

" I can imagine that the ladies like there to be something other than a wasteland outside the hotel itself."

I'm sorry renaissanceman, but that is a bit over-dramatic.

There are over 15 quality restaurants there, all within walking distance.

http://www.nationalharbor.com/consumer/dining.htm

I agree that there is no need to wade into battle over which location is best, but just the idea of driving into Tyson's from Maryland during rush hour makes me cringe.

Less traffic and not having to worry about parking are major pluses in my book.

Tysons is always a good option with lots of hotel choices

It's at the opposite of town from me.

I don't schedule my appointments during rush hours. It's a quick drive across the bridge for me at 10 in the evening.

Actually, rush hour is always bad at Tysons even if you're just driving in the area.

...use Tysons often, usually mid morning or weekends.  Easy from Maryland.  Try not to go before 10 a.m. or between 3 and 7.

... I'd sooner walk 40 miles to BWI!  I'm with SW.  It's on the wrong side of town, isn't established yet, and I hope it never catches on as a place for visiting ladies.

Your best bet would be to stay in my house.  Of course, you will have to stay in a closet in the basement so my wife doesn't find you and you won't be able to entertain any other visitors. But I promise you the best 2 1/2 minutes of your life each day you stay here.

Lots of LE too.

Rosslyn-Ballston seems easy to drive to (except at rush hour) convenient to metro, has lots of hotels, and are fairly walkable.  They always seemed like a better location than Tyson's for attracting both NoVa drivers and DC metroers.

Then when you get to either place use a car service to go from one place or the other for out calls if your location is not accessible