Page 176 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

174  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO STAY

If you plan to be visiting the sights in where to stay. Generally, hotels that are closer
Washington, DC from dawn until midnight, to downtown and the Mall are more expensive,
you may simply need a roof over your head and those in the suburbs are more afford able.
and a bed for your weary body. If you intend As the city is a tourist destination as well as a
to take your time and relax, you may want business center, room rates are the second
to stay in a hotel with all the amenities: pool, highest in the United States next to New York
health club, spa, deluxe restaurant, and room City. However, there are bargains to be had,
service. Whatever your needs, Washington especially during the off season and on
has a range of accommodations to choose weekends. A number of websites also
from. Location will affect your decision of offer special deals.
Chains and
Boutique Hotels
Staying at a Hilton, Holiday Inn,
Hyatt, or Marriott hotel will
guarantee a level of service and
cleanliness mandated by the
chain. An alternative to the large
chain hotels are the increasingly
popular boutique hotels.
Kimpton Hotels, a national
chain many of whose boutique
hotels are housed in historic
buildings, has several properties
in Washington. These small,
unique places all have their
Lobby of the plush Capital Hilton (see p178) own character. Hotel George
on Capitol Hill (see p176), for
How to Reserve impossible to find a reasonably instance, is sleek and modern.
Many hotels have toll-free priced room in the city. Then in It also houses Bistro Bis (see
numbers for making reserva- June the city is full of school p183), one of the city’s most
tions. It is also often possible to groups taking end-of-the-year talked-about restaurants.
preview the accommoda tion trips. Despite often broiling Other boutique hotels
options on the hotel’s website. temperatures, families are lured include the Henley Park Hotel
Weekend rates are often much to the capital in the summer. (see p176), which has borrowed
cheaper than weekdays. Labor Day in September is the decor of a British aristocratic
very big for tourists as is, of home and serves afternoon tea
course, the Fourth of July. everyday. Morrison-Clark Inn
Hotel Grading However, you can find bargains (see p177) in Penn Quarter is a
and Facilities
during the winter months from restored mansion filled with
A five-star hotel will offer every- November through March. Victorian antiques. Phoenix Park
thing the visitor could wish for. Washington is a Monday- Hotel (see p176) on Capitol Hill
Room service, health facilities, through-Friday convention town, has an Irish theme and staff –
bathrooms with a Jacuzzi, valet so the best prices are on week- and an on-site pub popular
parking, and 24-hour maid and ends, often at a fraction of the with Irish nationals and Irish-
butler service are just some of vacation season, midweek rate. American politicians.
the luxury amenities provided,
but at a price. In contrast, a one- Hidden Extras
star hotel will have a television
and a tele phone in the bedroom Beware the hefty 14.5 percent
but may have shared bath- tax levied on hotels in the city of
rooms. Hotels of all price ranges Washington. Also note that most
are available in the city. establishments will charge you
extra for parking in the hotel’s
parking lot. There is no way
Discounts
to escape the tax, but you can
Washington has different shop around for a hotel with free
“seasons” from other cities. When parking. If you have to park your
the cherry blossoms around the car in a garage, you may have to
Tidal Basin bloom in April, it is pay close to $40 per day. Stylish decor at Hotel George (see p176)
Taking a break at the food court in the Fashion Center at Pentagon City

174-175_EW_Washington.indd 174 04/04/17 2:40 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.3)
Date 17th October 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm