Let me second the many votes for the Dupont Circle area, its probably the nicest part of town for visitors.  Georgetown is more charming (a little more charming) but not many reasonable places to stay there.

The Carlyle Suites is reasonable, well located, good service, kitchenette.  Would be my first choice for an extended stay.  Jury's is always nice, too.

If you have time, check out the Phillips Gallery, perhaps the finest museum of modern art.  It's near Nora's, the first organic restaurant in the US, and still one of the best in the country.

And don't miss Kramer Books and the Afterwards Cafe!  That's our first stop whenever we arrive in Washington.  Great browsing, good food, and a rather special atmosphere.

Good luck with the weather!  The wind in Washington in the winter can be incredible.

Greg

Posted Dec 24, 2010

My husband and I have stayed at The Churchill Hotel a couple of times.  It's a very nice hotel and I couldn't/wouldn't pay their normal prices, but you can frequently find deals on places like hotels.com.  We don't typically go at busy times of year and a couple of times they've bumped us up to a nicer room if one is available. 

The location is great - within walking distance of a variety of great restaurants and the Metro (subway) so you can visit the Smithsonian, National Zoo, etc all within just a few minutes. 

Posted Dec 06, 2010

Margaret,

I would stay in either Chinatown or DuPont Circle. It really depends on what you're looking to do. I've lived in the Chinatown area for 6 years. There's a lot of great food places, Verizon Center for sports, bars, National Portrait Gallery, a metro stop and bus route. It's also a few blocks away from Union Station and right off the 395 if you're flying in from National Airport. You're also within walking distance of the White House, National Mall (monuments, etc.) or it's a quick cab ride. Dupont is great as well since it has a lot of great places to eat, easy to walk around, etc. The "North West" region has a lot of nice places to stay and near all the action. 

If you're looking for hotel recommendations I can put something together for you. DC is a big, but small city. If you find a good deal in the city it's pretty easy to get around so staying in the PennQuarter/Chinatown or DuPont area isn't a must. I'm happy to help you out. 

Mike

Posted Dec 06, 2010

Depends on your budget, where you want to base and what your standards and expectations are.

Posted Dec 06, 2010

I like the DC Guesthouse: http://www.dcguesthouse.com/

Posted Dec 07, 2010

I usually stay in Virginia instead of DC since the metro system is stupendous.  It's easier to circulate around DC, VA and MD that way as well.  I use Kayak or Hotels.com to find good deals online. 

Posted Dec 07, 2010

What is your budget? If you do not want to spend a fortune... I once stayed in the Quincy on L street (1823). It was reasonably priced and centrally located. 

Posted Dec 07, 2010

Margaret:

   I have always enjoyed a lot of bang for the buck at:  

The Morrison Clark Inn                                                                                                                              1015 L St NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20001
(202) 898-1200

Very Happy Travels,

Lance Johnson / Oklahoma City

Posted Dec 07, 2010

Dupont circle is one of my favorite neighborhoods, and the Hilton on embassy row is very nice: http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/DCAERHF-Hilton-Washington-Embassy-Row-District-of-Columbia/index.do

Posted Dec 07, 2010

Dupont Circle is possibly DC's best neighborhood (Adams Morgan is great too but I might not recommend people actually stay there), so that's a winner - but generally it will cost you. There's the historic Hilton (I think?) up the road that Reagan was shot at. 

But I'd stay Arlington, near one of the immediate Metro stops right across the river, so you can walk into Georgetown, take a stroll around Teddy Roosevelt island, etc. The Key Marriott has some great views of G'Town... although it was a little rundown/kitschy back in the day...  

Posted Dec 08, 2010

It depends what you are looking for.  There are a few Kimpton Hotels in DC, which I like.  The Topaz, Hotel Monaco and Hotel George.  if you are into politics and have the money, the Hay Adams might be of interest, it is right across the park from the Whitehouse.

Posted Dec 10, 2010

Dupont Circle has the best bars and eateries.  It's also a great place to catch a variety of metros.  I'd recommend Dupont.

Posted Dec 11, 2010

I really loved the Hotel Palomar in Arlington. It's a block or two down from the Metro line and only a short 10-minute walk from Georgetown. If you prefer Dupont Circle, there is also a Hotel Palomar there too.

Posted Dec 11, 2010

Love the Tabard Inn (Dupont Circle), but I don't think it's cheap.

Posted Dec 12, 2010

Any of the Kimpton hotels would be good. All are within walking distance to the major sites.

Posted Dec 14, 2010

If I were staying in DC, I'd pick the Williard Hotel. It's pricey, but it is historic and is right by the White House. You can check it out at http://washington.intercontinental.com/ if it sounds interesting.

Posted Dec 15, 2010

Love Love Love! The Mayflower Hotel.....Stayed many times due to work in the area.

The Historical Renaissance Mayflower Washington, DC hotel near the White House, features state-of-the-art fitness equipment, flexible downtown event space and stunning city views.

Posted Dec 16, 2010

When we go to DC we always stay in Alexandria...it's easy to get to on the Metro and it is a great area to walk around at the end of the day.  We did a haunted Alexandria tour one time and the kids still talk about that.  Great places to eat and shop and a nice safe area.

Posted Dec 16, 2010

I'd second the recommendation for the Tabard Inn, although I've found them to be well-priced given the competition (and generally recommend it for all of my business colleagues coming into town). It's smaller and has a personal feel/style to it.

Posted Dec 17, 2010

I'll jump in on the recommendation of Kimpton Hotels, specifically Hotel Madera.

Be sure to visit 17th, 18th and 14th streets from P to U.  That is a great up and coming area with new restaurants, wine bars, etc. popping up all of the time.. like ACKC - it is a great alternative to a coffee shop for chocolate lovers.

Posted Dec 18, 2010

As a general rule of thumb, hotels in Northern Virginia (Arlington County) tend to be slightly cheaper than in downtown DC; the downside is it will involve a slightly longer and more expensive taxi or Metro ride to the sites. In south Arlington's Crystal City neighborhood, there are many hotels around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; you'll find more hotels near Pentagon City; both neighborhoods are served by Metro's Blue and Yellow lines. In north Arlington, there are many hotels along Metro's Orange Line corridor in Rosslyn, Court House, Clarendon, Virginia Square and Ballston; each of these neighborhoods has its own Metro station. This area, particularly Clarendon, is a great hip neighborhood and fun nightspot with tons of restaurants and bars.

In Washington, avoid the cheap hotels on New York Avenue which are located on a busy, loud highway and not in the safest of neighborhoods. Avoid any hotel in Northeast and Southeast DC that is more than five blocks from the US Capitol; dodgy neighborhoods. Avoid staying in Suburban Maryland, which is much too far from downtown. The beautiful colonial village of Old Town Alexandria (King Street Metro) is a possibility.

Potential (cheap) places to stay:

• The Residence Inn in Rosslyn, Va. (about $100)
• Sheraton in Crystal City. (As low as $63 per night on Hotwire.com).
• Marriot at the Metro Center ($110 per night scored on Priceline.com).
• If you're on a tighter budget: consider the Washington International Hostel. It's cheap, clean and comfortable, if you don't mind the college dorm-like atmosphere. This hostel has cheap dorm rooms ($25-$40) and private rooms for a bit more. Bring earplugs!
• If you are on a super tight budget, consider staying for FREE in a private home by using couchsurfing.com.

Posted Dec 29, 2010

My first choice for a place to stay in DC is the White House, if they'd let me.  ;-)   Otherwise, I concur with the recommendations for staying in Dupont Circle area. The location is great and there are plenty of hotels to choose from.

Posted Jan 01, 2011

I would stay outside the District in Arlington or Alexandria. There are plenty of chain hotels near the Blue or Orange lines of the Metro, and the prices are much less than in DC (high room taxes!)  If it were me, I'd pick someplace like the Hilton Garden Inn at Courthouse Metro in Arlington. There's a Holiday Inn in Rosslyn, too, that is close to the Metro, or a nice walk across the Key Bridge into Georgetown.  There are also some decent places near King Street Metro in Alexandria.

Posted Jan 03, 2011

I've stayed many places including the Omni Shoreham, the Hilton Embassy Row, Sofitel Lafayette Square, the Capitol Hilton, the Mayflower, and the Embassy Suites in Friendship Heights.  I prefer hotels on/near a Metro stop for ease in getting around the District. I've also stayed out in Northern Virginia (Herndon/Reston), but that's only really useful if you're exploring outside the District.

Posted Jan 05, 2011

Depends on your budget.  Expensive, I'd say the Jefferson. 

Posted Jan 06, 2011

I got a good deal at the Mayflower last summer and absolutely loved it. Also wanted to stay at Tabard Inn on a business trip, but had to settle for just eating there, which was great!

Posted Jan 06, 2011

It depends upon how long you have available to you. Of course, staying in the Dupont Circle area would be my preference but it's definitely not cheap. But then, lodging is a high cost item everywhere in DC. Anyway., if your stay is going to last for a couple of weeks or more, I'd be tempted to use Craigslist and look for a temporary share or sub-let. 

Posted Jan 06, 2011

I like the J.W. Marriott.  Good location.  If your budget is a little higher, you have to stay in the Hay Adams.  It is directly across the street from the White House, and it is the most exquisite hotel.  You feel like you are walking into a different era.  Also, the Marriott on K and 16th Street isn't bad either, and much more affordable than the Hay Adams.

Posted Jan 07, 2011

Margaret,

For a low-low budget, I've had friends stay at the Hilltop Hostel and rave about it.  It's between $20 and $30 a night, usually.  For something a little bit more upscale, but that retains that young demographic and isn't just a crusty chain hotel, Hotel Rouge is fun.  A college club I was in once went there, and everyone agreed it was terrific and fun.

Hope you have a good trip!

Shane

www.backpackertees.com

Posted Jan 07, 2011

I don't usually like chains but found the Hampton Inn near Chinatown to be fantastic: http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=WASHHHX.  People were friendly, it's near the Chinatown metro, not too pricey, good food nearby, good Irish pub, etc.  Agree that you should stay in town.

Posted Jan 07, 2011

Stay in a hotel near the Mall.  It's easier to just walk out and go see the sights.  That's what I did.

Posted Jan 14, 2011

I second the Kimpton Hotel in the area.  If you want some other boutique type properties you may consider Donoven House (Thompson Hotel Group) or the Dupont Hotel.  If you want to go upscale I would consider the Hayes Adams or Jefferson Hotels.  If you want to look at budget options you may consider the Comfort Inn on 13th Street.  Let me know if you want feedback on any specific properties as my day job I work with many hotels in the region.

Posted Jan 17, 2011

Try airbnb.com. Crystal city and pentagon city have many hotels and a bit cheaper. Just 3 metro stops away to DC

Posted Jan 18, 2011

Jetsetter and Groupon will often have some good deal on boutique hotels around the city. Dupont Circle is a good neigborhood if you want something different than being by the Mall. In VA, Rosslyn in Arlington and Old Town Alexandria are a good bets too and you're only a few metro stops away from downtown. Crystal City also has a lot of chain hotels and is where a lot of tour groups and schools end up staying.

Posted Dec 05, 2011