Safe hotel in DC?

[Anonymous]

I have relatives coming to town for a lax tourney next month and they wanted to stay over in DC and do some touring. They booked a room at the Homewood Suites (1475 Mass Ave, NW). According to mapquest it's between 14th ST NW/Vermont Ave NW and Rhode Island Ave NW.

I haven't lived in NVA very long and I don't really know the DC area that well. They keep asking me if it's a safe neighborhood. Anyone know???

These are folks with very little street smarts that come from a smallish town in N Carolina. Any suggestions? (besides staying with us...we've already offered).

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Anonymous]

I'd have no problem staying there -- it's close to a lot of fun places on 14th Street. But the people you describe would probably feel uncomfortable. I'd suggest something downtown close to the White House like the JW Marriott or the Hyatt. Or try a chain close to a metro stop like the Embassy Suites in Friendship Heights. Lots of familiar stores and places to eat. Might not be my cup of tea, but it's safe and non-threatening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd have no problem staying there -- it's close to a lot of fun places on 14th Street. But the people you describe would probably feel uncomfortable. I'd suggest something downtown close to the White House like the JW Marriott or the Hyatt.

14th and Vermont IS close to the White House. I can't imagine how much closer one could get. It's about 1/2 block from McPherson square.

[Anonymous]

There's also the Omni Shoreham and Marriott in Woodley Park. Safe neighborhood, extremely convenient to the Metro, and lots of places to eat very nearby. You don't mention how close they want to be to downtown - from Woodley Park they'd likely want to either metro or cab downtown.

That said, my mother has stayed many times at the Holiday Inn at 15th & Rhode Island.

[Anonymous]

there is also the Holiday Inn on WI in Georgetown

[Anonymous]

It's not half a block from the White House. It's about five or six blocks. Still safe, though.

[Anonymous]

Oh, sorry -- misread PP's post. Yeah, it's closest to McPherson Square and pretty close to the White House -- just not as close as I thought a PP said.

[Anonymous]

You could switch them to the Grand Hyatt at 10th and H Streets. The metro station is easily accessible from inside the building, so no walking outside if they don't want to, though its hard to tour without going outside technically.

[Anonymous]

I think the neighborhood is totally fine. Maybe not 5 or 10 years ago, but now it is absolutely no problem. I would have my (small town, very very rural) parents stay there without hesitation. On the other hand, if they are looking for something more upscale, even better neighborhood, and you have money to pay more, then sure - check out some of the other hotel suggestions that have been made.

[Anonymous]

Where is the lax tournament? Why not use a hotel in Ballston or Alexandria or even Tysons depending on where you live and the tournamnet location?

[Anonymous]

the original poster said the relatives WANTED to stay in DC and do some touring.

If someone wants to stay in DC - why direct them to Ballston OR Tysons?

I live in DC and that part of thye city is fine. They will be able to walk to a lot of stuff. No matter were anyone stays, they just need to be smart when being a tourist.

I would encourage them to take metro or walk as much as possible as opposed to trying to drive and park around the city.

If they are going a direction where things don't feel right - turn around.

[Anonymous]

My husband works on that street. That is a safe and nice area. They'll be fine!

[Anonymous]

Another idea is for them to stay near Embassy Row on the other side of Dupont Circle. Very leafy/neighborhoody and yet close to the metro. There's the Hilton Embassy Row and the Fairfax Embassy Row. Both offer great deals depending on the week and availability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's also the Omni Shoreham and Marriott in Woodley Park. Safe neighborhood, extremely convenient to the Metro, and lots of places to eat very nearby. You don't mention how close they want to be to downtown - from Woodley Park they'd likely want to either metro or cab downtown.

That said, my mother has stayed many times at the Holiday Inn at 15th & Rhode Island.

Not the OP, but just a question -- while these are beautiful hotels and I personally wouldn't hesitate to stay at them, doesn't their proximity to Adams-Morgan make it more likely one would get mugged? Usually there are more muggings around late night restaurant and bar areas like Dupont Circle, Adams-Morgan, and Georgetown.

I just raise this because sometimes people think the crime rate is lower in beautiful neighborhoods -- and that may be true in terms of homicide or visible drug dealing -- but that in terms of getting robbed on the street, your chances are higher because the muggers know where all the people with money are coming in and out of bars.