Lodging in DC?

[2bthejudge]

Hi everyone, I'm awaiting the rescheduled date for my exam and interview. In the meantime, can anyone give me good lodging tips on where to stay when I go? I'd like to be as close as possible to the exam/interview site, but also affordable. Also, do you thinka rental car is needed? Thanks!

[wylaw]

I went through priceline. I used the bidding system and got a four star hotel for next week which is a half mile from the testing facility for $140 per night. Good luck

[BagLady]

Welcome to the board, and good luck in DC. You won't need a rental car.  There's an entire thread on hotel deals and advice for DC that may be of assistance.

[moopigsdad]

Sept 19, 2013 10:47:16 GMT -5 2bthejudge said:

Hi everyone, I'm awaiting the rescheduled date for my exam and interview. In the meantime, can anyone give me good lodging tips on where to stay when I go? I'd like to be as close as possible to the exam/interview site, but also affordable. Also, do you thinka rental car is needed? Thanks!

I used the State Plaza, which is two blocks from OPM. Then, I went to the Embassy Suites for the second night to be at the SI site. The State Plaza was around $170 and if you didn't have an early SI you could walk the eight blocks or so to the Embassy Suites if you didn't want to change hotels. I would forego the rental car as it will cost you $20 to $40 a night to park it. There are many choices, it just depends what type of lodging you are looking for, how much you want to pay and how far you are willing to walk. Good luck on your testing!

[elmerfuddgantry]

This was my first trip to DC in my ENTIRE LIFE, so everything was new. I chose to spend a little more money to reduce my stress level, which was off the chart. I stayed at the Embassy Suites where the interviews were held. That was a good decision for several reasons: (1) free breakfast, (2) free happy hour, (3) easy place to catch a cab, and (4) reasonably close to OPM. I also flew in a day early so that I would not have to worry about possible flight delays and would have time to scout the area. Downside is that the Embassy Suites costs $260 per night, even at the "government" rate. For me, it was money well spent.

I had a bad experience riding the Metro. (Everyone says, "Ride the Metro, it's cheaper than a cab.") Well, that's true as far as it goes and probably works well for people who live in DC. The Metro worked fine from station to station. Where I had problems was navigating from the Metro station to my final destination. As you probably know, Pierre L'Enfant eschewed the grid system in favor a more grandiose city plan. I had difficulty finding my way from Metro stations to the hotel and other points even with map and compass. (Perhaps that says more about my land navigation skills than the actual degree of difficulty involved.) I spent over an hour trolling north of the Foggy Bottom Metro station, luggage in tow, before eventually finding the Embassy Suites. If anyone wants directions from the Foggy Bottom Metro station to the Embassy Suites, I know the route well and will be happy to post detailed instructions. It looks simple on a map, but on foot among tall buildings and foliage that obscures signs, it is much more daunting.

My recommendation on ground transportation is that cabs are better. One-way from the Embassy Suites to OPM was $10 (including tip) and took 12 minutes. One-way back to National Airport from the Embassy Suites was $20 (including tip). If you fly in on a weekend (I arrived on Sunday), portions of the Metro are always closed for maintenance. That day, the National Metro station was closed. I was driven by shuttle bus from National to the Pentagon City Metro station. Then I boarded the Blue line and rode to the Foggy Bottom station and began my trek to the Embassy Suites. All told, it took me 2 1/2 hours from the time I got off the plane (I had no checked baggage) until I got to my hotel room. I estimate I walked 3-4 miles with luggage in tow. I would cheerfully pay a cabbie $20 to avoid that ordeal.

Conversely, after the WD and LBMT, I preferred to walk back to the Embassy Suites. Took 35-40 minutes. I felt really ground-down after the tests. The weather was beautiful and the walk helped me regain some equilibrium.

Unless you have absolutely no choice and must budget to the bone, I recommend spending a little extra money for your personal morale and welfare.

[Ace Midnight]

Sept 19, 2013 13:34:44 GMT -5 elmerfuddgantry said:

This was my first trip to DC in my ENTIRE LIFE, so everything was new. I chose to spend a little more money to reduce my stress level, which was off the chart. I stayed at the Embassy Suites where the interviews were held. That was a good decision for several reasons: (1) free breakfast, (2) free happy hour, (3) easy place to catch a cab, and (4) reasonably close to OPM. I also flew in a day early so that I would not have to worry about possible flight delays and would have time to scout the area. Downside is that the Embassy Suites costs $260 per night, even at the "government" rate. For me, it was money well spent.

...

My recommendation on ground transportation is that cabs are better. One-way from the Embassy Suites to OPM was $10 (including tip) and took 12 minutes. One-way back to National Airport from the Embassy Suites was $20 (including tip).

...

Conversely, after the WD and LBMT, I preferred to walk back to the Embassy Suites. Took 35-40 minutes. I felt really ground-down after the tests. The weather was beautiful and the walk helped me regain some equilibrium.

This was my first trip to the District as well. I also stayed at Embassy Suites - the location (for the SI) and breakfast made up for the heightened expense.

As the weather was amenable, I walked both ways to the WD/LBMT - it took under 20 minutes each way, as OPM is almost exactly 1 mile from Embassy Suites. My inclement weather plan would have been to take a cab. I had neither the time nor the proclivity to recon/learn the Metro system in time to rely upon that. If someone has qualms about walking that far or paying for a cab, I would recommend staying closer to OPM and shifting to Embassy Suites afterwards.

Mrs. Midnight and I arrived on Saturday before Monday testing/Tuesday SI - and I did a rehearsal of the walk to OPM on Sunday. Gorgeous weather and we continued to walk around the Mall - from about 20th St. around to Vietnam, Lincoln, Korea and WWII/Washington - we were a little too tuckered at that point to make the long haul to Jefferson and back, at that point, so we returned to Embassy Suites on foot. That was roughly 5 1/2 miles of walking, if you count the milling around the memorials.

I also had an early SI, and we checked out of Embassy Suites a day early (BTW that is a $75 charge, thank you very much) - I was in Chattanooga by sundown, and made it the rest of the way home, yesterday, by 3 p.m.

[moopigsdad]

Sept 19, 2013 15:09:29 GMT -5 Ace Midnight said:

Sept 19, 2013 13:34:44 GMT -5 elmerfuddgantry said:

This was my first trip to DC in my ENTIRE LIFE, so everything was new. I chose to spend a little more money to reduce my stress level, which was off the chart. I stayed at the Embassy Suites where the interviews were held. That was a good decision for several reasons: (1) free breakfast, (2) free happy hour, (3) easy place to catch a cab, and (4) reasonably close to OPM. I also flew in a day early so that I would not have to worry about possible flight delays and would have time to scout the area. Downside is that the Embassy Suites costs $260 per night, even at the "government" rate. For me, it was money well spent.

...

My recommendation on ground transportation is that cabs are better. One-way from the Embassy Suites to OPM was $10 (including tip) and took 12 minutes. One-way back to National Airport from the Embassy Suites was $20 (including tip).

...

Conversely, after the WD and LBMT, I preferred to walk back to the Embassy Suites. Took 35-40 minutes. I felt really ground-down after the tests. The weather was beautiful and the walk helped me regain some equilibrium.

This was my first trip to the District as well. I also stayed at Embassy Suites - the location (for the SI) and breakfast made up for the heightened expense.

As the weather was amenable, I walked both ways to the WD/LBMT - it took under 20 minutes each way, as OPM is almost exactly 1 mile from Embassy Suites. My inclement weather plan would have been to take a cab. I had neither the time nor the proclivity to recon/learn the Metro system in time to rely upon that. If someone has qualms about walking that far or paying for a cab, I would recommend staying closer to OPM and shifting to Embassy Suites afterwards.

Mrs. Midnight and I arrived on Saturday before Monday testing/Tuesday SI - and I did a rehearsal of the walk to OPM on Sunday. Gorgeous weather and we continued to walk around the Mall - from about 20th St. around to Vietnam, Lincoln, Korea and WWII/Washington - we were a little too tuckered at that point to make the long haul to Jefferson and back, at that point, so we returned to Embassy Suites on foot. That was roughly 5 1/2 miles of walking, if you count the milling around the memorials.

I also had an early SI, and we checked out of Embassy Suites a day early (BTW that is a $75 charge, thank you very much) - I was in Chattanooga by sundown, and made it the rest of the way home, yesterday, by 3 p.m.

So Ace, Embassy Suites hit you with a charge for not staying all the scheduled nights you had booked. It sounds like the typical practice of a Hilton line of hotels. If you had the time, you should have just stayed already and enjoyed DC more. Sorry you got hit with the early check-out fee.

[jessejames]

The White House Hampton Inn is in easy walking distance of the test site and not too far from Embassy Suites. Also, within easy walking distance of the mall and the subway.

[elmerfuddgantry]

I walked both ways to the WD/LBMT - it took under 20 minutes each way, as OPM is almost exactly 1 mile from Embassy Suites

Either I am an awful sluggard or you walk at a very brisk pace. It is about one mile as the crow flies, but seemed considerably farther with all the zigs, zags, roundabouts, and closed sidewalks due to construction.

[funkyodar]

For a a lil more paid to the right people, I hear the Lincoln bedroom at 1600 pennsyvania is nice.

I needed to stay on the cheaper side and did state plaza. no frills but no complaints. location was easy for both testing and si.

[sealaw90]

Sept 20, 2013 1:04:44 GMT -5 harry said:

That's a shame you first timers only got to see OPM and the hotels. Washington has wonderful sites. I grew up on the east coast and spend time there. I had a business trip last year and had a wonderful time. The museum at the Capitol is terrific. Oh yeah, and I forgot about being sworn in to the SCOTUS: Justice Thomas glared at us and Justice Ginsberg beamed as if we were her kids. CJ Rehnquist was just grouchy. Hope you get a chance to go back and explore.

Wow - Justice Thomas actually looked out into the gallery?  When I got sworn in he basically used his chair as a Barcalounger, feet up, head tilted back, and his eyes were closed most of the time.  Justice Ginsburg does give you that look like she's watching her children get sworn in.  Sandra Day was still on the court, and she was wonderful.  I sat directly in line with Chief Justice Roberts and it was like he was staring directly at me.  I wasn't bothered because I was not about to argue, just get sworn in!
I've always enjoyed DC, when I lived there and when I visit, there's always something to do or see.

[trekker]

Hint for future reference for any board members who are not members of the SCOTUS bar. It is fairly easy to get admitted, you pay the fee to join and no yearly dues. You don't have to go to DC for the oath ceremony but if you do, you get to stay for that day's arguments. And then as a member of the bar, you can attend arguments without having to stand in one of the public lines. For the more popular arguments, it can be difficult to get a seat because the lobby groups can afford to pay big bucks to have the homeless stand in line. (I went to the first day of the ACA argument and didn't have a problem but when I left there were people already queuing up.) Just another DC tidbit especially if you get selected and have to be in DC for training.

[ehjd]

Trekker, that's a great tip, thanks!  If anyone is yet to make a hotel reservation, I found the Marriott right across the street from OPM to be perfectly fine, comfortable and decently priced.  The great thing about flying in to National is its right on the metro, so no worries there. 

[privateatty]

Sept 20, 2013 20:54:58 GMT -5 ehjd said:

Trekker, that's a great tip, thanks!  If anyone is yet to make a hotel reservation, I found the Marriott right across the street from OPM to be perfectly fine, comfortable and decently priced.  The great thing about flying in to National is its right on the metro, so no worries there. 

Having had more than a passing familiarity with D.C. and environs I can tell you what has been tangentially referenced: to save a buck use the Metro. You can find much cheaper hotels than D.C. in Virginia by Metro stops. Do a google search--that's what I have done and stayed in Crystal City or Alexandria for half the price of a D.C. hotel room. Yes, you have to get up a little earlier and ride with the commuters, but heck. Crystal City hotels have the advantage of a free shuttle to and from Reagan Airport.

[bhappy]

I am staying at the Embassy Suites. It is not cheap. But it is a 20 minute walk to OPM and a 15 minute walk from Foggy Bottom metro (with light luggage). I will get to chill in my room until the SI and not need to stress about taxis, getting my hair out of place and other important stuff like that. Plus there is a good breakfast spread and refreshments in the evening. It is not for everyone but if you can splurge a bit, it takes out some stress.