|
Post by hopefulop on Aug 16, 2016 11:18:12 GMT -5
I am not familiar with the area. Is Dupont circle or Foggy Bottom closer to OPM? foggy bottom thanks -- that's what I thought but the Dupont Circle references made me question
|
|
|
Post by denise on Aug 16, 2016 12:18:13 GMT -5
Foggy Bottom is closer; but DuPont Circle is on the Red line and if OPM schedules the structured interview at the Washington Hilton as it has in the past, then DuPont Circle may be your best bet. The metro is super easy. I booked at a location close to McPherson Square metro and not far from Farragut North metro. Cheap and close to the metro is your best bet.
|
|
|
Post by denise on Aug 16, 2016 12:29:28 GMT -5
So, State Plaza and Embassy Suites seem to be the top recommended due to proximity. I am not familiar with the area but wondering if there are any others that are equally convenient and nice? In the early days of this thread I saw some positive things about the Hotel Lombardy? The Hamton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn are nice and closer than the Embassy Suites-- I believe they are newer and thus wouldn't have appeared in earlier posts. Both are less than half a mile from OPM.
|
|
|
Post by bayou on Aug 16, 2016 12:33:50 GMT -5
I am not familiar with the area. Is Dupont circle or Foggy Bottom closer to OPM? I think Foggy Bottom although when I restricted my search to FB, it turned up hotels that weren't that close to OPM. Also, I think Dupont Circle is closer to the last two locations for the SI.
Go to Google maps, zoom in on the area and search hotels. I found that approach better than the various booking websites like expedia, kayak, and so forth to get a good understanding of the relative locations of things.
|
|
|
Post by kingnole on Aug 16, 2016 13:04:28 GMT -5
Got a super cheap plane ticket on JetBlue ($163 roundtrip from FLL), but hotel rates are sky high in mid-Oct when I'm testing. I called 20+ hotels, and the best rate by far is the Best Western Georgetown ($219/night). You would think there's a presidential election approaching or something.
|
|
|
Post by gary on Aug 16, 2016 13:51:20 GMT -5
Got a super cheap plane ticket on JetBlue ($163 roundtrip from FLL), but hotel rates are sky high in mid-Oct when I'm testing. I called 20+ hotels, and the best rate by far is the Best Western Georgetown ($219/night). You would think there's a presidential election approaching or something. Maybe a bunch of people want to attend the annual government shutdown.
|
|
|
Post by Pixie on Aug 16, 2016 14:24:48 GMT -5
BB and APA won't be much use either. Kinda kiddin' about the BB and APA - in the vein of 'how much can I obsess.' As Triumph would say: I Keed! Love your dietary suggestions. Comfort food dinner and a sensible lunch inside. Perfect! weisstho and Baymax, let's stop talking about the testing, even in a joking manner. We just don't need to go there. Pixie
|
|
|
Post by pubdef on Aug 16, 2016 14:37:10 GMT -5
I currently have hotel reservations at 3 different hotels trying to figure out why three nights will cost a mortgage payment. Decisions between the three: do I stay close and spend a lot more, do I stay fancy and enjoy my stay, or do I stay further away and save money. Screw it, I think I'll cancel all of them and pitch a tent at Greenbelt Park.
|
|
0in1
New Member
Posts: 9
|
Post by 0in1 on Aug 16, 2016 14:40:42 GMT -5
Staying at State Plaza once again...I stayed there for 2013 testing and it was great having a CVS next door to find stuff to cook in the room's kitchenette...especially good since I got snowed in and testing was delayed one day. The restaurant in the hotel is pretty good.
|
|
|
Post by trekker on Aug 16, 2016 14:45:38 GMT -5
My spouse and I have a long term agreement that has worked for us - we are never in the same city when taking any major exam be it for his boards or my bar exams. Too much stress. This qualifies for that agreement but I can totally understand why one would take the opportunity to do a mini-vacation. September and October are popular convention months in DC. (April and May as well.) It will be hard enough finding rooms during those months, let alone bargains. The city is not very active from Thanksgiving to mid January as Congress shuts down either because of an impasse or for one of its many scheduled breaks. Depending on the outcome of the election, either nothing or everything will be happening. I forgot to look whether there are any dates around the inauguration but if there were, securing any room let alone getting a bargain will be impossible. At least that is my experience and I go to DC for a regularly scheduled legal aid health law training in early December every year. My spouse attends a medical conference that is held once every three years in DC and if we don't book a room thru the convention site and book early, we are SOL. While I love DuPont Circle, I wouldn't stay there for this. Too noisy, too far, too much rush hour traffic (the metro goes thru there but it can be busy during rush hour). One other note, rush hour in DC starts around 0530 until about 0930 (more like 1000) and then restarts around 1430. The Metro is crowded and the traffic is slow.
|
|
|
Post by mrmojo on Aug 16, 2016 14:47:35 GMT -5
For folks looking for an alternative to the metro, I'd suggest Lyft or Uber. If you aren't currently using them, you can use a referral code to get free credits for your first rides. That should at least take some of the edge off the cost of this. Lyft Code: ALJEXAM
|
|
|
Post by hopefulop on Aug 16, 2016 14:51:32 GMT -5
I think my husband will be my "Lyft" or "uber" HAHA
|
|
|
Post by peanutfancy on Aug 16, 2016 15:08:43 GMT -5
I currently have hotel reservations at 3 different hotels trying to figure out why three nights will cost a mortgage payment. Decisions between the three: do I stay close and spend a lot more, do I stay fancy and enjoy my stay, or do I stay further away and save money. Screw it, I think I'll cancel all of them and pitch a tent at Greenbelt Park. My luxury choice was already full. I booked an adequate hotel nearby, for half a mortgage payment. Tent would've been a better plan.
|
|
|
Post by Lawesome on Aug 16, 2016 15:21:24 GMT -5
I'm leaving my spouse and small children home as well. I love them dearly, but I need to stay focused and get restful sleep. And... Chances are good that they would interfere with my post-SI plans. It will be 5 o'clock somewhere, right?
|
|
|
Post by pubdef on Aug 16, 2016 15:26:46 GMT -5
I'm leaving my spouse and small children home as well. I love them dearly, but I need to stay focused and get restful sleep. And... Chances are good that they would interfere with my post-SI plans. It will be 5 o'clock somewhere, right? My family will also be in another state. If my SI interview is the first of the day, I will be getting an early start for the both of us. But a seat will be saved.
|
|
|
Post by christina on Aug 16, 2016 15:57:29 GMT -5
Got a super cheap plane ticket on JetBlue ($163 roundtrip from FLL), but hotel rates are sky high in mid-Oct when I'm testing. I called 20+ hotels, and the best rate by far is the Best Western Georgetown ($219/night). You would think there's a presidential election approaching or something. Maybe a bunch of people want to attend the annual government shutdown. Gary. I am really glad I was not drinking anything when I read that post! It would have spewn about 20 feet with my laughter
|
|
|
Post by Pixie on Aug 16, 2016 16:04:30 GMT -5
Same here. Gary is quick.
|
|
|
Post by gadourylaw on Aug 16, 2016 16:05:46 GMT -5
I am also shocked at hotel prices in late October. When I attended the SI in January 2009 my hotel (Embassy Suites-Chevy Chase Pavilion) was $89. I Just booked 2 nights at The Fairfax at Embassy Row and it will be $500!!!
|
|
0in1
New Member
Posts: 9
|
Post by 0in1 on Aug 16, 2016 16:58:08 GMT -5
Stress is directly proportional to distance from OPM....the ability to thwart Murphy's Law is also directly proportional to distance from OPM. For me I prefer to be within the No Sweat Zone....then again I am risk averse.
|
|
|
Post by places2go on Aug 16, 2016 18:24:07 GMT -5
I stayed at the State Plaza last October. I think it was $222 per night. The hotel is a bit outdated, but it's clean and comfortable, the bed linens are newer, and the staff was very friendly and attentive. It was very convenient to OPM, maybe a 5 minute walk. I had free breakfast with my package. I went to the restaurant when it opened at 7 am and there were only two or three other people there, so I had time to get breakfast and still make it to the WD on time. The waiter was super nice and put my coffee in a to go so I could take it with me. I took a cab to the SI at the Embassy Suites and walked back. I think it took about 20 minutes to walk (in dress shoes). I had a late flight home so the State Plaza stored my bags while I was at the SI, got them out for me when I returned so I could change, and stored them again so I could do some sightseeing for the afternoon. I let them know I had lost my sunglasses and they returned them to me that evening when I came back for my bags. I had forgotten them in my room.
|
|