BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?

Subject: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: Mysha
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 09:26 AM

Hi,

I intend to go to a congress in Washington DC this summer. Or, as I understand it it'll be at the George Washington Masonic Memorial, which is just outside Washington, in Alexandria.

So, I'll have to find something affordable there, B&B or the like. But I don't know the area: I wouldn't know whether all of Washingotn is safe, or whether there are neighbourhoods I should avoid. (Not to mention that I should probably find a connecting bus of metro line to stay near to.)

Does our forum include anyone who can point me in the right direction here?


And other than that, of course: Would there be anything folky going on in the area during that time (the last week of July and first week of August)? I won't be congressing the whole time, after all.

Bye,
                                                                Mysha

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: artbrooks
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 09:47 AM

It is quite some time since I spent any significant time in the DC area, so I will let someone else answer your specific question. It is quite a schlep from DC to Alexandria, though, so you may be better off looking for accommodations in the latter. There used to be an Embassy Suites in Alexandria right across the street from the Metro (light rail) line into DC, if you want to visit museums and do other tourist stuff, and that's not too far from the Masonic Center.

I'd suggest the Greater Washington Folklore Society site for folky info.

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: Rapparee
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 10:24 AM

As for bad neighborhoods, yes, just as there are in every big city and use your head (e.g., don't dangle your purse or camera from your hand by the strap, be aware of your surroundings, etc.). Metro (light rail) and Metra (buses) can get you to most places you'd like to visit. BE AWARE OF THE SECURITY STUFF!! -- you may have to check a backpack before entering a museum or government building for example. Overall, DC and Alexandria is a pretty good place, but remember it's a big city.

There used to be an Irish place over in Alexandra. You might check out Wolf Trap and other places, too, if you can get a ride there.

There are a number of hotels and motels in Alexandria; they usually run about $100 per night and up.

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: Maryrrf
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 10:45 AM

There are a couple of Irish places in Alexandria that have live music - more or less traditional. They areMurphy's Pub on King Street, and Ireland's Own on Pitt Street (right off of King Street about 3 or 4 blocks from the waterfront).

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 12:39 PM

Not all the Summer events are posted yet, but watch the site for FSGW that Artbrooks linked to. (There is not quite as much in the Summer, as many are attending festivals and traveling, but there is ALWAYS something.)

(I live on the Maryland side of the river, so am not as familiar with the facilities and routes, but it is usually not hard to get to the Metro (subway) and get to almost any area.)

Post more as you know more.

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 01:34 PM

Mysha, I'm thinking you mean B&B in the European/UK sense -- a room in someone's home -- rather than an American B&B, which is in general a rather posh, small hotel tailored to romatic getaways.

If that's so, budget hotels will probably be more in keeping with your budget than our B&Bs. Also, 1've known college campuses to rent out dorm rooms during non-school periods, which your time period would be. Whether Georgw Washington University has such a program, I couldn't say; I'm from the Wild, Wild West where things may be different.

Best of luck! And the whole DC area is chock full of wonderful musicians. You should have a grand time.

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 01:37 PM

Too many B and B houses are getting to be expensive.
Lots of time till summer, check out rates and locations at lower end motels such as Days, Hampton, etc. They may be a better deal, if a restaurant is close by.

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 01:51 PM

I got an incredible deal at the Chamberlin near Dupont circle once when they were remodeling..it was not a huge hotel but was awesome.

Very close to capital capitol? et al.

Also HOward University might still run a hotel run by their students. It was very nice, although not in an extremely safe part of town, and i had a good coupon. I would look at coupon books. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 03:24 PM

I meant Churchill

https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?Hotel=12885&Chain=5415&AltDest=WASH&promo=ESCAPE

Don't see cheap rates though. I paid around $50 I think for an awesome room. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: Donuel
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 04:50 PM

Hey mg, the Chamberlin is just down the street from the four seasons.

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: Bobert
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 05:12 PM

DC Hotels are going to expensive... You can actually stay in the Falls Church or Vienna areas and use public transportation... Unfortunately, the subway doesn't go to Alexandria but the buses do so you may be able to use buses exclusively...

Alexandria is fairly safe and better closer to the Potomac than out a ways...

You might also check on the MARC trains to see if they stop at Alexandria... The train station used to be right across from the Masonic Temple... Not sure these days if MARC stops there but if it does then you could stay all the way out in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and train in from there...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: Mysha
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 05:59 PM

Hi,

Bed and Breakfast in the US doesn't mean "We've got a spare bedroom and you can join us for a good breakfast", then? Do you not do that over there, or do you use a different name for it? (I thought I wouldn't be camping, but that doesn't exactly mean I'm suddenly a hotel person. I'm just aiming for 4 sq m. with bed that I can be alone in.)

Ah, I checked the map, and though Alexandria is near the border with Washington, there's water on the other side of the line, not city. This is going to be somewhat more complicated than the organisers made it appear, then.

Bye,
                                                                  Mysha

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: Deckman
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 06:30 PM

You might also check out the possibility of staying in a dorm room at a university.

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: artbrooks
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 07:18 PM

You might check out the DC Youth Hostel. Probably the cheapest good bed you are going to find in the area.

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: Bobert
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 07:23 PM

Bed & breakfasts are found in grand old homes and are expensive... In DC you'll be lookin' at $200-$250 a night... That ain't cheap... There are cheaper motels in Northern Virginia ($80 range) that are close to Metro (mass transit) and for $5 you can get to Alexandria...

Actually, if you Google "Orbitz" you might find a reasonably priced motel in or near Alexandria... Even South Arlington would be okay...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 07:54 PM

Mysha (and Bobert): The Metro system does indeed serve Alexandria. In fact, the stop (King Street) is right next to the train station, which is indeed right across the street from the Masonic Memorial.

In addition to Alexandria, anything around Crystal City should work; it's two stops up the same subway line. Those would also be the hotels nearest National Airport.

Hmm..."first week of August"...if you're still here Friday August 5th, there ought to be an FSGW Open Sing. In Maryland probably, but usually close enough to a Metro stop.

-- Gary

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: Mysha
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 02:43 PM

Hi Gary,

Of course, now that I know the precise programme of the congress, it turns out that Friday August 5th 10:00-21:00 is Closing Dinner. And it turns out that from Alexandria the Open Sing is somewhat on the other side of Washington. I can go where I please, having a bicycle with me, but this is not exactly an easy combination.

Still, I might find some American folk in Chicago or in San Francisco, making my way by train to the West-Coast.

Bye
Mysha

Subject: RE: BS: Where to stay in Washington DC?
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 04:58 PM

I've found great rates here:

http://www.thecirclehotel.com/

and there are full-size cooking facilities. It's steps from GW.

Dani