KatiesMom

I stayed at The Grand Hyatt this summer. All the rooms are renovated!! It's immaculate!! Good choice, excellent hotel.

Got this for $66/night on Hotwire (A few days later the hotel's website later listed a price of $69 a night for the same days of our trip... so not a bargain). I like the fact that I could mention we were bringing a kid on hotwire, that insured us of 2 beds. Had low expectations, but was ultimately pleased. Pros: Hotwire 3.5* star rated and it lived up to it. Nicely appointed rooms, clean, comfortable beds, stocked with the usual toiletries, plus iron, ironing board, large tv. Big Con: Bad location. In the middle of nowhere. Not near metro, although they do have shuttle service to the metro. Not recommended for leisure sightseeing vacation trip, but ok if there for one night or don't need to rely on metro. Small Con: Walls a little thin, I heard a 6:00 am wake up call go off in a neighboring room. Possible Con Turned Pro: Was told at check in that there would be a $16 parking fee for each night of our stay. At check out, was informed that there would be no parking charge for either night of our stay. That was a pleasant surprise. Persnickety Con: After winning this hotel I signed up for the Starwood preferred guest card. The check-in clerk said there were no perks with this card unless I was at the platinum level. Deciding to test the waters, I asked for a room with a Washington view, declined, was told I could have one for an extra $50.00. I asked if we could have some vouchers for beverages or drinks.... nope. This isn't really a complaint....just letting folks know that in this instance the guest card didn't help much. In contrast, when we stayed at the Omni Shoreham they treated us wonderfully. Since on this trip we spent our time driving to colleges we didn't need to rely on the metro. And seeing there was nothing nearby, we ate while we were out. Worked out fine and we had a pleasant stay.

Travel Guy, Thank you for helping me out with D.C's logistics. After spending this past weekend there and driving all around, I finally got a sense of the neighborhoods. In the future I will feel more comfortable when bidding on D.C. area hotels. I saw a whole lot of them and know where they are. Surprisingly, the Sheraton actually worked out fine for us....I'm going to post a review now on that board.... Looks like we will be visiting D.C. again in the spring because my daughter totally fell in love with American University and she wants go for an interview then. It has just the right curriculum, majors, campus style/location and internship opportunities she's looking for. Thanks again!

Wow, what a trip!! Glad you had a good time. :)

I didn't read all the way down, so I goofed. Will make the best of it.

Well, for better or worse, we're booked here so we'll make the best of it. I went to the Sheraton website and got a Starwood Preferred Guest Member number (not yet sure what perks come with it), then called the Sheraton National to confirm our reservation. The clerk confirmed our reservation is for 3 people and for 2 double beds. I made the request for a non-smoking, high level floor with a view...no guarantees of course...so we shall see. It would appear that Hotwire's new policy of allowing more than 2 in a room is working. Edited to add: I just read something on the internet that said this hotel is owned by the Unification Church. My discomfort level is very high now. ;-(

I hope I haven't made a big mistake. I ended up with the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington for $66/night, two nights, 11/12-11/14. First of all, thank you Travel Guy about the tip about staying in Arlington. It does seem like a very good option for us on this trip. I went to Priceline (via SavingsBarn of course) and plugged in Arlington 3* for $45. No go. I added Arlington 2.5* for $55. No go. I split the dates, and tried for just Friday 11/12 at $65 (with both 3* and 2.5*). No go. (Perhaps it's busy because of Veteran's Day weekend??) Having checked out Hotwire in advance of my Priceline bidding, I knew there was an Arlington 3.5* on Hotwire going for $66. Figuring that Hotwire 3.5* likely equalled Priceline 2.5* I thought the Hotwire offering might be the Hilton Garden Inn or the Courtyard By Marriott. Also, the Hilton was listed on Expedia for $79 a night for the dates of my trip so I figured there might be a good chance the Hotwire 3.5* was the Hilton. In any event, I didn't want to go any higher on Priceline with a $66 or $79 option in clear view. Also, since there are 3 of us, I do like the fact that you can be up front with Hotwire about that fact, it should help with check-in haggling. So I decided to be a guinea pig and go for the Hotwire offering. Listed as 3.5*, Customer Favorite, Amenities include: Airport Shuttle, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness Center, Business Center. My concern is accessibility. From reviews I read on Trip Advisor it appears I picked the one hotel not near a metro stop, and relies on shuttle service to a metro. We have been given a parking pass for American University, so we will drive there. So it may not be so bad.... But we were planning on metroing to meals and such... It might be just fine, but any info you have about this hotel/location is appreciated. Thanks!

My daughter fell in love with D.C. on our trip here a few weeks ago, so now we are planning a college campus visit trip over Veteran's Day weekend, staying 2 nights 11/12 and 11/13, checking out 11/14. Our itinerary is: 11/12--Tour Geo. Wash. Univ. 11/13--Tour American University in the morning, then Univ. of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA in the afternoon 11/14--Tour Geo. Mason Univeristy in Fairfax, VA I am thinking it might make sense to stay near American University. On the college's website it gave me a list of hotels, none are right next door to the college...so now I am not sure what neighborhood I should look at for lodging.... The hotel need not be fancy, because it's not a vacation trip, but we do want to stay somewhere clean, safe and accesible. We will be leaving American quickly late morning to catch the afternoon activities at UMW. Any suggestions with logisitcs, hotel choices, etc...? I'll either bid priceline or worse case, hotwire. Thanks!!

So glad you are re-thinking chain restaurants.... NYC is an eating town and then some. Da Nico restaurant at 164 Mulberry Street in Little Italy may be worth a visit. The best italian food in NYC, in my opinion, is on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, but that is not in your vicinity. To get menus/prices of NYC restaurants, check out menupages.com. You can even plug in a neighborhood and cuisine type and they will give you ones that fit your parameters. This is a great way to find out what's nearby.

Well, sure you can got to Bubba Gump's, I reckon... however...you are in NYC....The Big Apple and there are so many good local places you can try rather than chains (Times Square has an Olive Garden and an Applebees too). I always recommend people try the local stuff instead. What happened to Blue Smoke and Sylvias? Still in the running??

No, sadly I have not been to Sylvia's. I heartily recommend you ask the folks on the Manhattan Board of Chowhound.com. Those folks are in the know, and they will answer you quickly. Carmine's (Theater District) 200 West 44th Street New York City bet. 7th & 8th Aves (212) 221-3800 My favorite restaurant in NYC is Balthazar in SoHo. It features french comfort food in a lively bistro/brasserie setting. My second favorite is Peter Luger's in Brooklyn...steak like no other in the universe. Cheers!

I've stayed in both The Grand Hyatt and the Crowne Plaza... Definitely grab the Grand Hyatt, it's a 4* and very nice.

Why not give Sylvia's a whirl? Sylvia's 328 Lenox Ave. (Above 103rd St.) Between 126th and 127th Sts. 212-996-0660 Call about reservations. It's not all that far from St. John the Divine.

Hi, I hope you have a wonderful trip. NYC is not the best place for authentic country/southrn cuisine or bbq. I can give you a few rec's, but I would also recommend you post this question on chowhound.com or egullet.com because the people on those boards know the city inside and out. As for the amazing church, yes St. Patrick's is rather nice, but St. John the Divine is in a league of its own. It's a little further out in the city, but you can take the subway there. For theater recommendations check out playbill.com to see what is currently playing. They give a synopsis of the shows and list whether or not they are approporiate for certain age groups, so I think it will help you decide. Check these places out on menupages.com. They will give you menues/locations/prices. BBQ- Blue Smoke, Jacques-Imo, Virgil's (in Times Square). Southern & Soul: Pink Tea Cup, Amy Ruth's, Sylvia's, Mara's Homemade. Pizza: Patsy's on First Avenue in East Harlem. Very special.

I guess I am the first to review this 4* hotel, so be it. We stayed for 3 nights over Columbus Day weekend. Cutting to the chase, the Omni is fantastic, if you get it on the cheap do a little happy dance. Location-excellent. The Omni is not actually located in Dupont Circle (although that is how priceline lists it), but is one metro stop away in Woodland Park, about 4 blocks from the Zoo. Nice residential area. 1 easy block to metro, metro ride is about 10-15 minutes to downtown D.C. Service-excellent. There were 3 of us (myself, hubby and teenage daughter) and we arrived early, around 11 am. I had called a few days prior, confirming our reservation and requested 2 queen beds, non-smoking. Of course priceline had us booked for 1 queen, so the reservationist said she would note it on our card and told me to make the request again at check in. When I originally won the Omni on priceline I went to their website and enrolled in their select guest program. A few weeks later in the mail, I recieved a guest card and coupon for a free room upgrade. I was greeted at check in by "Heseth" and presented him with my request for 2 queen beds, non-smoking, my guest card and room upgrade coupon. He told me to put the coupon away and save it for another trip, and that he would give me a nice, large 2 bed non-smoking room. He then said to call him at Ext. 15 if I did not like the room and he would switch us. We went to room 281. It was beautiful, large, sunny and overlooked the pool/park area. A minute later the phone rang, it was Heseth. He asked if I was satisfied with the room because if I wasn't we could move to another one. We were very satiisfied, so we stayed. I never experienced such attentiveness from a hotel check-in person before. Very thoughtful. As select guests, each morning we were entitled to 2 free beverages and one newspaper. But each morning we were brought 4 beverages (2 hot, 2 cold) and 2 different newspapers. The young man delivering the tray said he thought we might enjoy the extras. We did (mmm...fresh squeezed oj)! We wanted to tour the monuments/memorials at night and could not figure out a good way to do it by ourselves in our own car, without it taking at least 6 hours. The Omni's helpful concierge recommended a 3 hour bus tour that totally handled our needs. Whew! Each night we received turn down service...bedcovers were turned down and yummy chocolates were placed on our pillows. Room-Very good. If I want to quibble, which I really don't, here's where I could. I plan on posting a picture of the room to this site as soon as I get my film developed so you can see what I am talking about. The room and bathroom were very large. More than adequate closet space as well. Hairdryer, iron, ironing board and toiletries were all there. Large television with HBO, climate control AC all in good condition. Very clean room, and maid service did a great job each day. The only thing to nit pick is that the beds aren't the high, fluffy kind, they are more standard, and linens aren't fancy, they are standard. That's it, that's not much of a nit to pick either because the beds were comfortable and we slept very well. The pool-They have a large outdoor pool and small hot pool. It was October and 78 degrees. Perfect for swimming!!! Since I was clueless at the start of planning this trip, I thank the posters on this website for recommending this neighborhood and this hotel. We had a great stay at the Omni.

Robert, scroll down to my earlier thread. Another poster gave me a lot of info. about the area. I ended up paying more than I would have liked for the Omni Shoreham, but it's Columbus Day weekend and Washington is a hoppin'.

I recently stayed at the Grand Hyatt, and unlike some chains, they were extremely helpful and accomodating on bed/room requests. Let us know if you end up there and I'll give you some tips.

This morning I used all my bids for a 4* in Providence up to $105. Rejected.

Two nights: July 15 & 16, check out July 17.

I know it's way in advance but I have already started trying to book a room for my sister's wedding in July, 2005. My first Priceline bid aimed at the Westin failed so I am getting ready to bid again on the Westin. (My sister told me the Westin quoted her a special rate of $199 for rooms for her dates, I'm hoping to do much better.) I did a cursory check of Hotwire to see what might turn up for the July dates and only one hotel popped up -- a 3* Downtown Providence property with Restaurant, Pool & Fitness listed as amenities for $49/night. Does that sound familiar to anyone??? And if so, does it sound worth considering?? Based on info you gave me in another thread, I'm thinking it isn'tm, but interested in any feedback you might have. Otherwise I'm getting ready to bid 4* again. Thanks for sharing any thoughts you have.

I don't know if this will help at all, but on Travelzoo.com, The Park Central Hotel is running a Thanksgiving special of $159/night for certain days. The site has some other hotel specials as well. Perhaps some posters on this board can say whether or not any of them are worthwile.

Congrat's well deserved! :)

Sounds like a great trip Slazman, glad to help! :)

Forgot to add, The Grand Hyatt is very very nice and deserves its 4*. Stayed there recently. If you get it Travelergirl I do not think you will be dissappointed.

Not the same quality since Leona gave up being Queen of the castle...