HotelChatter - DC

Washington Marriott at Metro Center Gets Spiffed Up

KatieK — 2009-11-20T12:09:30-05:00

<![CDATA[ <img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/fireandsageresto.jpg" class="top"> In recent years, Washington DC's downtown has transformed into a destination you might actually want to hang out. Or at the very least, those safe-clean-friendly claims being made about it a few years ago are now much closer to being true! Think haute restaurants, quality theatre and galleries, and much, much more foot traffic. (There's even a trendier name for the 'hood: Penn Quarter.) For Marriott's part, they've responded to the neighborhood's spiffier image with an $11 million renovation at the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Marriott+At+Metro+Center/ian/107184">Washington Marriott at Metro Center</a>, just in time to celebrate the hotel's 15-year anniversary. The 459-room hotel recently unveiled its new contemporary look and feel, which includes 32-inch plasma screen TVs, tech-friendly plug-in panels,

The Five Best Hotels Just Outside of Washington, D.C.

KatieK — 2009-11-13T16:00:19-05:00

<![CDATA[In many cities, a suburban stay equals hours on the train each morning and night. But Washington D.C. is small enough that its closest suburbs are often destinations in their own rights from Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, to downtown Bethesda, Maryland. Throw in D.C.s crime-ridden rap, combined with the suburbs-serving Metro, and suddenly it makes sense why so many D.C. tourists actually spend the night in a neighboring city (where, ahem, the residents have the right to vote). Of course, this is hardly a secret; so if youre looking to the suburbs for a no-frills deal, stick to family-friendly classics. Otherwise, here are our picks for five convenient suburban DC hotels that offer more than just a free (stale)

The Five Best Hotels in D.C. For Under $150

KatieK — 2009-11-05T11:18:25-05:00

<![CDATA[With the opening of the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/W+Washington+DC/local/1561">W</a> and <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+Jefferson+Hotel/ian/164281">Jefferson Hotels</a> in DC this summer, weve had downtown luxury DC hotels on the brain. But for the expense account-free folks in our midst, we thought we better take a moment to remind everyone it actually can be affordable to stay in the District thats right, suburban family-filled chains need not apply. Here, we rounded up five of our favorite DC hotels where weekend rates start under $150. <img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/donovan5best.jpg" class="top"> 1. <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Donovan+House/local/994">Donovan House</a> Thompson Hotels mod Donovan House sits on Thomas Circle straddles downtown offices and trendy 14th Street restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Though if you stay here you should probably eat at the hotels own restaurant, Zentan,

Live Out Your National Geographic Dreams at the Loews Madison

KatieK — 2009-11-04T11:34:31-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/admin/madisonhotel.jpg" class="top"> Well admit, weve always been suckers for a good pile of <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/2/6/102513/8333/hotels/In_Room_Magazines_Reading_Between_the_Sheets">in-room magazines</a>. But the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+Madison+Hotel+-+A+Loews+Hotel/ian/111990">Loews Madison</a> in DC is offering something even better the chance to step into, literally, one of everyones favorite magazines, National Geographic. To coincide with the National Geographic Museums upcoming exhibit, Terra Cotta Warriors, the Loews Madison is celebrating its close proximity two blocks away with a package deal. The National Geographic Museum Terra Cotta Warriors package features two premium anytime tickets to the museum exhibition, overnight deluxe accommodations, and a 20-percent discount at the NatGeo store. The exhibit runs Nov. 19 through March 31, showcasing 15 terra cotta warriors and other artifacts from the tomb of

Relive Robert Langdon's Quest at DC's Dupont Hotel (And Empty Your Wallets Too)

KatieK — 2009-10-23T12:56:31-05:00

Oh lordy, it’s begun. We speak, of course, of the inevitable descent of Dan Brown fanatics looking to unlock the secrets of the Masonry in DC as described in his new bestseller novel, “The Lost Symbol.” And just as inevitable: DC hotels looking to cash in on the influx of tourists. The new boutique Dupont Hotel leads the way with its “Ultimate Lost Symbol Package.”

With a $5,999 price tag, you might need to sweet talk Dan Brown into footing your bill, but that’s besides the point. True devotees know no cost, we suppose.