A friend of mine and her sister are planning a trip (driving) to Washington DC in about April of 2022. The sister is doing all the planning and she's finding places to stay are really expensive there. Their main objective is the Smithsonian, although I doubt that will be the only thing they'll want to see. I'm wondering if anybody here who lives in that area or has visited recently can offer any insight into where a decent B&B can be found at a less than outrageous price, within a reasonable distance from downtown. Or am I asking the impossible?

Parking may be an issue at this spot, but some time ago it wasn't bad. They do offer specials, etc.

https://kaloramaguesthouse.com/

There are no residential neighborhoods around the Mall. If you want to be short walking distance there, it's gonna be commercial hotels. The closest residential neighborhoods would be Cap. Hill/Eastern Market. And that will still be a good walk and not cheap. Don't try to cheap out in DC. It doesn't work. It's a expensive place.

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Originally posted by Rick Lee:
Don't try to cheap out in DC. It doesn't work. It's a expensive place.

Truth. Anything "reasonable" will be in a neighborhood that will challenge your sensibilities, and safety. You can move out into the suburbs to save some money on lodging, but it will still be at least as expensive as what you'd find in "normal" cities, and then you have our terrible traffic to deal with (Metro is its own can of worms). Not to mention that there are some suburbs that are as bad, or worse than the worst DC neighborhoods (mostly in MD, VA is generally better, but...), at least VA will honor your carry permit, forget legal carry in DC or MD (both have permitting systems, but practically speaking it is a no go).

When I am in town I always stay at Tabard inn right off Dupont circle and you can take the subway where you want to go. Never parked a car however although if you ask at the Inn I am sure they will have suggestions. The Tabard is a little funky but has a great restaurant.

DuPont Circle is a very cool place, but it's nowhere near the Mall.

Try the Holiday Inn in Arlington. It's where I stay when I do business across the street from the Smithsonian.

Best to stay outside of DC and take the Metro into the city but you'll still pay a premium to stay in MD or VA. The words affordable or cheap don't go with anything to do with DC. If you decide to drive into the city beware of speed and red light cameras and be mindful where you park because DC will ticket and tow your car. If you're military you can save a few bucks staying on base.

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Originally posted by Flash-LB:
Try the Holiday Inn in Arlington. It's where I stay when I do business across the street from the Smithsonian.

Is there reasonably (I know, I'm using that word a lot) accessible transportation from there to the Mall area? As in, just a short walk from the hotel? Subway? Uber?

The most Metro-accessible hotels in VA are in Crystal City, Pentagon City and Rosslyn. All those are a very short walk to a Metro station, mostly covered or underground, so you're not in the elements.

And if you use the Metro, for the love of God, please stand on the right side of the escalator. You'll thank me later.

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Originally posted by Expert308:

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:
Try the Holiday Inn in Arlington. It's where I stay when I do business across the street from the Smithsonian.

Is there reasonably (I know, I'm using that word a lot) accessible transportation from there to the Mall area? As in, just a short walk from the hotel? Subway? Uber?

You want to stay off Metro(the subway), crime is rampant, and they have a sad history of tunnel fires.

Dupont is about 1.25 mi. from the closest part of the Mall, an easy half-hour walk down 18th St. Not too bad, given that you're going to be doing much more walking than that on the Mall anyway. Cut over to 17th St. and you'll go right by thw White House, perhaps killing two birds at a slight expense of shoe leather.

When we visited Washington, D.C., we stayed at the Courtyard Alexandria Old Town in Alexandria, VA. From there, we drove in to D.C. and we also was able to take a Metro bus into D.C.

Additionally, the hotel is just a block away from Aldo's which is an Italian diner that I highly recommend for the food.

I'll second wangle's recommendation of the Hotel Tabard Inn, and concur with his description of "funky". Unique, affordable, with a lovely onsite restaurant and bar, along with a small garden. And some weathered furniture with stories to tell, like a press room.
Bail on the car once, and Metro around the town. Sites are so huge you'll likely only commute between them once or twice a day.

Another vote for the Tabard Inn