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Post by trickbag on Jul 24, 2013 16:16:24 GMT -5
booked the embassy suites, it was $179 for my dates for "premium" room with free wifi, and though my SI is afternoon, I figure that will make luggage logistics etc easier. Anyone have a thought as to best way to get to OPM from there for WD? Walking?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2013 16:17:32 GMT -5
State Plaza Hotel looks like a really good option if those rates hold up.
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Post by sealaw90 on Jul 24, 2013 20:00:51 GMT -5
booked the embassy suites, it was $179 for my dates for "premium" room with free wifi, and though my SI is afternoon, I figure that will make luggage logistics etc easier. Anyone have a thought as to best way to get to OPM from there for WD? Walking? you can walk it no problem, although I would leave 20 minutes at least to walk it, more if you want to get a cup of coffee/bottle of water!
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Post by hopefalj on Jul 24, 2013 20:06:23 GMT -5
I booked the State Plaza Hotel, which is 2 blocks from OPM (very helpful for arriving at 7:30 am) and 1 mile from the Embassy Suites. I booked directly on their site and got a better price than hotels.com by purchasing at least 14 days in advance with no cancellation allowed. It was $260 for both nights, including tax, and it is $32 per night to valet park. Reviews seemed good, and for me, there isn't anything better than being as close to OPM as possible (my SI isn't until 2:40 pm, so it will be no problem getting there in plenty of time). Thanks for the info (and to everyone else providing helpful information). I booked the 14-day advance rate as well and got out for $240 for two nights after taxes. I was originally planning on staying with a friend near the city and borrowing his second car, but after reading others' posts about uncertainty, construction, traffic, etc., I decided I'm not going to roll the dice on my testing and interview nights.
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Post by prohacvice on Jul 25, 2013 15:09:53 GMT -5
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Post by atlasta on Jul 25, 2013 20:45:41 GMT -5
When I had to go to DC on the last register I stayed at the State Plaza. Very nice rate for DC. Clean, roomy. Short walk to OPM. Short ride from Reagan. Close to many attractions. Worked well for me.
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Post by almostheaven on Jul 28, 2013 17:03:02 GMT -5
I booked the State Plaza Hotel, which is 2 blocks from OPM (very helpful for arriving at 7:30 am) and 1 mile from the Embassy Suites. I booked directly on their site and got a better price than hotels.com by purchasing at least 14 days in advance with no cancellation allowed. It was $260 for both nights, including tax, and it is $32 per night to valet park. Reviews seemed good, and for me, there isn't anything better than being as close to OPM as possible (my SI isn't until 2:40 pm, so it will be no problem getting there in plenty of time). I am new to the list, but started tracking comments after discoverying this forum after the March open dates. I also opted for the State Plaza for the same reasons -- got a AAA rate at about the same price (I am always leary about no cancellation). My interview time is also in the afternoon, and there should be plenty of time to drive from State Plaza to the Embassy Suites, even with D.C. traffic. I am scheduled Aug 21 and 22 -- anyone else on the forum who will be there the same dates?
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Post by choler5000 on Jul 30, 2013 11:45:53 GMT -5
I have walked away from any "deals" on this one. As an "investment," I have decided to spring for a plane ticket into Reagan National the day before the OPM testing, and to stay at the over-priced Marriott Courtyard nearby, instead of another hotel. The whole shebang will cost about $1000, excluding meals. There has to be a better way to pick ALJs than to require such effort on the part of applicants, but I have drunk the Kool-Aide. Economic development "investment" for the D.C. area for sure.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jul 30, 2013 12:14:24 GMT -5
I booked the State Plaza Hotel, which is 2 blocks from OPM (very helpful for arriving at 7:30 am) and 1 mile from the Embassy Suites. I booked directly on their site and got a better price than hotels.com by purchasing at least 14 days in advance with no cancellation allowed. It was $260 for both nights, including tax, and it is $32 per night to valet park. Reviews seemed good, and for me, there isn't anything better than being as close to OPM as possible (my SI isn't until 2:40 pm, so it will be no problem getting there in plenty of time). I am new to the list, but started tracking comments after discoverying this forum after the March open dates. I also opted for the State Plaza for the same reasons -- got a AAA rate at about the same price (I am always leary about no cancellation). My interview time is also in the afternoon, and there should be plenty of time to drive from State Plaza to the Embassy Suites, even with D.C. traffic. I am scheduled Aug 21 and 22 -- anyone else on the forum who will be there the same dates? I have the same dates. Gunner had those dates as well but I think may have tried to change them. So far, you are the only other one I have seen that has the same dates. I split my stay, State Plaza first night, Embassy the 2nd night since my interview is early.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 30, 2013 12:33:29 GMT -5
I have walked away from any "deals" on this one. As an "investment," I have decided to spring for a plane ticket into Reagan National the day before the OPM testing, and to stay at the over-priced Marriott Courtyard nearby, instead of another hotel. The whole shebang will cost about $1000, excluding meals. There has to be a better way to pick ALJs than to require such effort on the part of applicants, but I have drunk the Kool-Aide. Economic development "investment" for the D.C. area for sure. Welcome to the Board new member (choler5000) and I must say I love the avatar choice. Is it your dog? As to your post, I agree that the D.C. trip is a little costly. It is like playing a very expensive lottery. Either you will hit it big by acquiring a position and it will pay off greatly or you will lose it all miserably, even if you make the Register, but never acquire an ALJ position. It's an all or nothing deal. Big win or big loss, not much in-between.
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Post by trekker on Jul 30, 2013 16:34:08 GMT -5
What an interesting bit of advice from "moop's dad." "It's an all or nothing deal." I counsel all my SSDI/SSI disability clients that SSA disability benefits are an all or nothing deal. Either they are 100% disabled or they are not -- nothing in between for them either.
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Post by DreamNalj on Jul 31, 2013 7:32:13 GMT -5
I haven't quite figured out the quote thing just yet, but sratty and almost heaven, we will overlap...I have 22 and 23 August. I plan to use the sratty method and go from "State" to "Embassy!"
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 31, 2013 7:49:20 GMT -5
Anybody know about the food at state plaza? I think the f street bistro is there?
Would be nice if the place I'm staying has good eats for the night before and breakfast the day of.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 31, 2013 8:18:23 GMT -5
Anybody know about the food at state plaza? I think the f street bistro is there? Would be nice if the place I'm staying has good eats for the night before and breakfast the day of. funky you could buy the breakfast buffet from the State Plaza for $12. I did that to save time and yet be full enough for the day. It is one of the options when you purchase your room or can be added later.
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 31, 2013 8:26:21 GMT -5
Anybody know about the food at state plaza? I think the f street bistro is there? Would be nice if the place I'm staying has good eats for the night before and breakfast the day of. funky you could buy the breakfast buffet from the State Plaza for $12. I did that to save time and yet be full enough for the day. It is one of the options when you purchase your room or can be added later. Thanks mpd. must have missed that when I registered. I looked at the menu for the place in state plaza. prices ok and food sounds good. but anybody can write up a delicious sounding description. I will be arriving later in the evening the nite before the testing and it would be convenient to have dinner at the hotel. but my pregame traditions require a good meal the nite before. lol Good to know about the breakfast too. as I mentioned, nerves traditionally cause me to have no interest in eating lunch on big days, so fueling up before hand is muy importante.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 31, 2013 8:54:49 GMT -5
funky you could buy the breakfast buffet from the State Plaza for $12. I did that to save time and yet be full enough for the day. It is one of the options when you purchase your room or can be added later. Thanks mpd. must have missed that when I registered. I looked at the menu for the place in state plaza. prices ok and food sounds good. but anybody can write up a delicious sounding description. I will be arriving later in the evening the nite before the testing and it would be convenient to have dinner at the hotel. but my pregame traditions require a good meal the nite before. lol Good to know about the breakfast too. as I mentioned, nerves traditionally cause me to have no interest in eating lunch on big days, so fueling up before hand is muy importante. Sorry, I can't tell you about dinner the night before as I am dining with a good friend of mine from Baltimore as we chat about old times and things from the past. He works for SSA in Baltimore now and I taught him almost everything he knows about SSA law. Evidently, I am somewhat of a celebrity at SSA as when he went to training there and mentioned my name the trainers all knew me and my reputation for great work on behalf of claimants. Wow, it is nice to know I am well thought of in higher circles at SSA.
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 31, 2013 9:20:01 GMT -5
Well, as funky always says, the only thing better than friends in high places is high friends high places.
Enjoy the catch up opportunity. nice to be able to sneak some fun into a tense situation. in a really weird bit of star alignment my old college roommate got exactly the same testing dates, including the exact same SI time, as me. even stranger, though were are coming from two completely different regions of the country and did not talk until after we both made our flight arrangements, I will land at regan 5 minutes before he does (with a big assumption that neither encounter delays).
We will share a cab, have dinner and have opted to split a room. will be nice to catch up and will bring back memories of cram sessions before final exams.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 31, 2013 9:31:38 GMT -5
Certainly one way to hold down costs in D.C. funky. Pretty good luck that you both had same test dates, etc. Should be fun for you, too. I just wouldn't suggest the "high friends high places" possible action prior to the OPM testing and interview, not that you would do it anyway.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 31, 2013 11:01:04 GMT -5
Where is the closest parking deck to these locations? Looks like I won't be staying near them, and will have to drive in with a rental. Thanks, You seriously might want to think about using the Metro and parking at a Metro station outside of town and getting off at the Foggy Bottom stop and walking from there. The cost of parking in D.C. will be prohibitive as a non-monthly patron. Furthermore, you have to park for the entire day of OPM testing.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 31, 2013 11:28:40 GMT -5
Or the closest parking deck is? Thanks, At OPM, driving is an option, however parking is limited. There is a paid parking garage located just north of the building on 19th Street GW Visitor Public Parking Lot Ellicott School 1957 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20415; (beside the 7-Eleven) the cost is approximately $19.00 per day. Also, Colonial Parking Garages located at either: Northwestern Building - Lot 91, 1800 G St NW, Washington, DC 20006 (202) 298-7120 or 1776 G Street NW - Lot 612, 1776 G St NW, Washington D.C., DC 20005 (202) 295-8200 with parking cost of $21.00 a day. I hope this helps you.
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