Planning a reunion in the DMV: block hotel? House rental? Something else?

[Anonymous]

I’m on the planning committee for a reunion: let’s say 8 families so 16 adults and a LOT of kids under age 12.

What are your suggestions?
This is in June 2026.

House rental, with space to play outside?

Block hotel rooms on a metro?
Rental near Rock Creek Park?
Something else?

We moved away from DC seven years ago so I feel a little bit out of the loop.

Modest budget, please. Most of us are teachers.

[Anonymous]

I think the hotel vs. house question is more about how the families prefer to travel. We'd much prefer having our own space to retreat to at a hotel, but others may prefer the more communal vibe.

[Anonymous]

Check out Staybridge Suites. They have a pool and common area. You can do museums during the days.

[Anonymous]

Block rooms at the Omni shoreham hotel or similar hotel in that area. Close to zoo, metro, lets people be independent or together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the hotel vs. house question is more about how the families prefer to travel. We'd much prefer having our own space to retreat to at a hotel, but others may prefer the more communal vibe.

Totally whereas others NEED a kitchen when they travel.

Just need a starting point.

[Anonymous]

What about the Omni? Rooms aren't crazy and there is a great pool for the kids. Good location close to the zoo and Dupont.

[Anonymous]

What are you trying to do - tourist stuff in DC? Hotels are expensive even on the off-season.
Would you consider the suburbs instead (options for kids' activities there too if that is a criteria)?

Do you have restaurant or winery or something in mind for the actual reunion?

Where is everybody traveling from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are you trying to do - tourist stuff in DC? Hotels are expensive even on the off-season.
Would you consider the suburbs instead (options for kids' activities there too if that is a criteria)?

Do you have restaurant or winery or something in mind for the actual reunion?

Where is everybody traveling from?

1. We’re hoping to spend time together. We need some sort of homebase… A hotel with a pool, the suburbs are fine especially if we can walk to entertainment. Maybe like a cool Arlington playground?

2. We do not have the actual reunion planned yet. Ideas?

3. Mostly PA, also South Carolina.

The idea was to do it in DC so that if families wanted to make it a longer trip they could.

[Anonymous]

This...does not sound fun. At all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about the Omni? Rooms aren't crazy and there is a great pool for the kids. Good location close to the zoo and Dupont.

It's a dump.

[Anonymous]

DC sounds like a horrible place for this especially mid summer. Find a beach or something.

[Anonymous]

Gaylord at National Harbor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This...does not sound fun. At all.

I’m open to ideas honestly, but not the beach. Everyone has their own beach trip with families and vetoed it.

I wanted Lancaster but people liked DC.

[Anonymous]

The wharf might not be a bad location— it’s basically a playground for tourists with a whole range of restaurants and easy access to the Mall and its museums. One of the hotels has a rooftop pool too.

[Anonymous]

Old Town Alexandria - there are hotel suites options for those who like a small kitchenette, close to metro or drive into DC, Ak3xabdria itself has a ton of options for food and shopping, kids' activities, etc