Washington D.C. Hotels: So Many, So Close, So Convenient

    Our nation’s capital is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  Washington D.C. is visited by millions from all over the globe.  They visit the famous memorials, the gorgeous parks, they go on tours, they attend sports events, visit on business, and visit the world-renowned Smithsonian museums.  Washington D.C. is home to it all.  To make any trip to the Washington D.C. the utmost pleasurable, there are plenty of hotels to accommodate visitors’ traveling needs.   To make the selection process easier, I researched the hotels in the area.  These hotels are the utmost convenient and closest to the action.

    There are hundreds of hotels in the Washington D.C. area.  There are too many to choose from.  They feature an assortment of amenities including spas, buffet breakfasts, conference rooms, comfortable lobbies, and internet access.  Many visitors like to book certain hotels in Washington D.C. that are in close proximity to transportation and tourist attractions.  The less walking to do, the better.  You or I cannot argue with that.  I’ve been traveling to Washington D.C. since I was five years old.  Dozens of hotels have been built over the years for the exact reasons.  If you have visited the various hotel web sites, the hotel listings are never-ending.  Where do you stay?  Which hotels are best?  There are two-star, four-star, and top of the line five-star rated hotels.  I found ten of the best hotels in the Washington D.C. area for your enjoyment.  Whichever ones you feel that fit your traveling needs, the choice is yours. 

    There is no better area to begin than in downtown Washington D.C.  Marriott has plenty of hotels in Washington D.C., including its subsidiaries.  To start off, the Washington Marriott is among the downtown favorites.  It is located six blocks away from Dupont Circle, the Dupont Circle Metro station, and Georgetown.  The hotel is located eight blocks away from the John F. Kennedy Center for The Performing Arts.

    Located a short distance from the National Mall is the well-renowned Mandarin Oriental.  The hotel is located three blocks south of the National Mall, the Smithsonian museums, the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and most convenient of all, the Smithsonian Metro station.  The hotel features a wide array of recreational activities including Segway rentals, swimming pool, motor boating, golf, a running track, and bicycle rentals. 

    The Grand Hyatt and the Marriott at Metro Center are minutes apart from each other.  They offer conference rooms, spacious rooms, an array of dining options, and are both walking distance from the Metro Center station.  The Grand Hyatt features a twelve-story atrium and a seven thousand square foot blue lagoon with a two-story waterfall.  The hotel is located three blocks away from the Verizon Center, home of the Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics.  The White House, Smithsonian museums, and monuments are all a five-block walking distance from the Grand Hyatt. 

    The Marriott at Metro Center features a handful of convenient must-haves.  Like many major hotels, the hotel rooms are equipped with wireless internet access.  The hotel features a business center and a fitness facility.  The National Museum of Women In The Arts, the Warner Theater, the Washington D.C. Madame Tussaud’s Museum, and the famous Ford’s Theater are located within a quarter of a mile distance.

    One of the more convenient hotels in downtown Washington D.C. is the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel.  The L’Enfant Plaza Hotel is conveniently located two blocks from the National Mall and Smithsonian museums.  The two closest are the National Air & Space Museum and National Museum of The American Indian.  The hotel features a restaurant called the American Grill, well known for serving steak and seafood.  Also featured is the Foggy Bottom Pub which offers an assortment of microbrews and pub-style favorites.  Wireless internet access is available, plus a fitness center with a free-weight room.  To top it off, the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel has a rooftop outdoor pool. The L’Enfant Plaza Metro station is located outside the hotel’s driveway.  L’Enfant Plaza station is served by the green and yellow lines.  The yellow line serves Ronald Reagan National Airport, just four miles away.  Connections with the red and green lines are located at Gallery Place-Chinatown, two stops away.

    Staying in downtown Washington D.C. is surely convenient.  However, some of the hotels in the downtown area can be pricy time to time.  Use your discretion while booking.  The area which I highly recommend is Crystal City.  Crystal City is a district located across the Potomac River in Arlington, VA.  There are five hotels in the Crystal City area which are in close proximity to the Metro subway and Ronald Reagan National Airport.  The Sheraton-Crystal City is located across the street from the Crystal City Metro station.  It is also in close proximity to the Fashion Center at Pentagon City. 

    The Hilton-Crystal City features a few visitors’ favorites of its own.  The hotel is located one mile from Ronald Reagan National Airport.  If you are an avid jogger, the George Washington Memorial Parkway winds its way around the airport.  If you enjoy golfing, the Hains Point golf course is located on the Potomac River, just three miles away.  Complimentary transportation is provided to the Crystal City Metro station and Ronald Reagan National Airport. 

    Located on the Jefferson Davis Highway, adjacent to Ronald Reagan National Airport, is the Hyatt Regency-Crystal City.  The Hyatt Regency-Crystal City features a twenty-four hour business center, nineteen meeting rooms, and a seventeen thousand square foot exhibition hall.  A three-story glass atrium rises above the lobby.  The hotel includes a fitness center, a seasonal outdoor pool, and a jet spa surrounded by a sunning deck.  Fine dining is available at the Chesapeake Grill on the eighteenth floor.  The restaurant features sweeping views of the Potomac River, the Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the National Cathedral.  Complimentary airport shuttle service is available during scheduled times. 

    There are two Marriott hotels in Crystal City which I have stayed at often.  The rooms are fantastic, the buffet breakfasts are fabulous, and the transportation is over-the-top efficient.  The Crystal City Marriott and the Marriott Crystal Gateway are the two best hotels in the Arlington area.  The rooms in both hotels both have hair dryers.  The Crystal City Marriott and the Marriott Crystal Gateway both feature business centers with wireless internet access.  They also have meeting rooms for small groups. 

    The Crystal City Marriott and the Marriott Crystal Gateway share one great advantage in common.  They are both connected by an underground walking corridor, leading to the Crystal City Metro station.  The two hotels sit directly above the Metro Station.  Ronald Reagan National Airport is one stop away in the southbound direction, while the Pentagon is just two stations north.  Arlington Cemetery, the Smithsonian museums, the National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, and Washington Monument are just less than fifteen minutes away via the blue line.  The National Archives and connections at Gallery Place-Chinatown are just ten minutes away via the yellow line.  Having mass transit available at your doorstep is the greatest advantage any hotel guest could have.  It definitely makes life a whole lot easier.    
   
    Visiting Washington D.C. is always an exciting experience.  No matter what the occasion, our nation’s capital provides a wide array of hotel accommodations.  Whether you like being close to the famous tourist attractions, having large or small business functions, or just being in close proximity to transportation, Washington D.C.’s hotels have it all.  The ten hotels shared with you are among the best.  Not only are they the best, they are by far the most convenient.  You may not be the President, but it sure pays to live like and be treated like one.