I need to be in DC for work next week, the hotel prices are insane, so I'm looking at staying a little further out. My question is this, is everything within the 495 beltway fairly safe? I found a few things in Old Town that are slightly less pricy and was looking at that area.

Thanks,

Inside 495 safe? Lol. You're funny.

If you can tell us where specifically you've found acceptable rates, I'm sure we can tell you specifically whether we'd stay there.

Olde Town Alexandria isn't bad, generally, though.

-Rob

Best value hotel in DC is the State Plaza Hotel. It's just over $100 a night and is located a couple blocks from the Lincoln Memorial.

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:
Inside 495 safe? Lol. You're funny.

If you can tell us where specifically you've found acceptable rates, I'm sure we can tell you specifically whether we'd stay there.

Olde Town Alexandria isn't bad, generally, though.

-Rob

This is why I'm asking!

480 King Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314
4641 Kenmore Avenue Alexandria, Virginia 22304
2700 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, Virginia 22314
156 Waterfront Street National Harbor, Maryland 20745

These are all within my budget.

My rule of thumb is to divide the beltway into 4 quadrants and generally stay out of the southeast quadrant. I lived there 25 years.

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Originally posted by SIG4EVA:
Best value hotel in DC is the State Plaza Hotel. It's just over $100 a night and is located a couple blocks from the Lincoln Memorial.

Website tells me they're sold out for my dates, which is probably why everything else is $500 and up in the area.

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Originally posted by MikeGLI:

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:
Inside 495 safe? Lol. You're funny.

If you can tell us where specifically you've found acceptable rates, I'm sure we can tell you specifically whether we'd stay there.

Olde Town Alexandria isn't bad, generally, though.

-Rob

This is why I'm asking!

480 King Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314 - OK
4641 Kenmore Avenue Alexandria, Virginia 22304 - OK, but some rough areas nearby (5-10 min. walk)
2700 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, Virginia 22314 - OK, but traffic is a problem here
156 Waterfront Street National Harbor, Maryland 20745 - OK, but adjacent to the biggest casino in MD

These are all within my budget.

You should be able to find even more affordable rates a little farther out, like Fairfax. Generally, the farther away, the less you pay (with the notable exception of near Dulles airport), trading time in your car for money in your wallet. Suburbs are generally safe, without the problems inherent to poorer areas.

Some parts of Alexandria can be shady but I think you're fine with the 3 you picked. Steer clear of the National Harbor. Arlington is an even better bet than Alexandria if you can find something in your price range. I lived there for years and never had any problems. Plus you're just over the Potomac from DC.

quote:

Originally posted by DCFD4:
Some parts of Alexandria can be shady but I think you're fine with the 3 you picked. Steer clear of the National Harbor. Arlington is an even better bet than Alexandria if you can find something in your price range. I lived there for years and never had any problems. Plus you're just over the Potomac from DC.

If you stay in Arlington, 66 is HOV and you will have to take alternate routes, factor that in driving time. King St. is probably your best bet, especially if your in SE or SW.

Do NOT just google driving times, you can now put in time of day traveling to figure out average commute times. Often times 10 miles can take 45 min plus.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:

quote:

Originally posted by DCFD4:
Some parts of Alexandria can be shady but I think you're fine with the 3 you picked. Steer clear of the National Harbor. Arlington is an even better bet than Alexandria if you can find something in your price range. I lived there for years and never had any problems. Plus you're just over the Potomac from DC.

If you stay in Arlington, 66 is HOV and you will have to take alternate routes, factor that in driving time. King St. is probably your best bet, especially if your in SE or SW.

Do NOT just google driving times, you can now put in time of day traveling to figure out average commute times. Often times 10 miles can take 45 min plus.

Agree with DCFD & Skins.

-Rob

Thanks for all the info thus far. I was trying to avoid renting a car. Most of my traffic will be to and from my hotel to the McPherson Sq area. Do I need to be ready to throat punch someone from King St to McPherson Sq?

Sounds like you need to be staying near a Metro station.... and then get off at the McPherson Sq and right to your place of business. Traffic and parking will be a nightmare for you in that area. And if you find parking it'll be ridiculously expensive. I say Metro and yes, then be prepared to throat punch.

quote:

Originally posted by DCFD4:
Sounds like you need to be staying near a Metro station.... and then get off at the McPherson Sq and right to your place of business. Traffic and parking will be a nightmare for you in that area. And if you find parking it'll be ridiculously expensive. I say Metro and yes, then be prepared to throat punch.

This, minus throat punching. If you aren't going to have a car, check around metro travel times. Metro in general is very safe. Traveling is very easy via Metro. Low on smelly people during commuting hours.

quote:

Originally posted by DCFD4:
Sounds like you need to be staying near a Metro station...

This, and expand your choices to include the Red Line out to Montgomery County, either leg. There are a Red Roof Inn and a Comfort Inn adjacent to Shady Grove Metro. The only extra on using the Red Line is you would have to change trains at Metro Center and then ride one stop to McPherson Square. Lots of other (closer in) choices on the Red Line, too.
 

My wife and I spent a about a week in the DC area just about 5 years ago. We ended up staying at the Americana Hotel in Alexandria. While the hotel wasn't anything to write home about, it wasn't bad and the rates were reasonable. The area it is in, at that time, seemed fine. There was an "underground mall" or something a short walk away with a Metro station, which is how we got around. We had no issues at all and if the neighborhood hasn't degraded in the last 5 years I'd do it again.

http://www.americanahotel.com

While the area around the Americana is nice, close to a metro and Pentagon City mall, plus the smaller underground mall mention, I don't think I'd stay there. Those pics online are from when it was last updated, sometime in the '70s would be my guess

quote:

Originally posted by architect:

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:
Inside 495 safe? Lol. You're funny.

If you can tell us where specifically you've found acceptable rates, I'm sure we can tell you specifically whether we'd stay there.

Olde Town Alexandria isn't bad, generally, though.

-Rob

This is why I'm asking!

480 King Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314 - OK
4641 Kenmore Avenue Alexandria, Virginia 22304 - OK, but some rough areas nearby (5-10 min. walk)
2700 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, Virginia 22314 - OK, but traffic is a problem here
156 Waterfront Street National Harbor, Maryland 20745 - OK, but adjacent to the biggest casino in MD

These are all within my budget.

You should be able to find even more affordable rates a little farther out, like Fairfax. Generally, the farther away, the less you pay (with the notable exception of near Dulles airport), trading time in your car for money in your wallet. Suburbs are generally safe, without the problems inherent to poorer areas.

The Eisenhower Ave. spot is about half a mile from the Metro. Not that much around it that would be open except for the spots in and around Hoffman Towers (theater, Starbucks, pizza place, bistro, a cantina type place) after end of business day. The hotel may offer a shuttle to this area, the Metro, and Old Town.

Mike, the Marriott Autograph at 480 King is a great hotel. Used to be a Kimpton, I stay there pretty much every time I am in DC.

What about a place like this?

https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p4239968