Reviews (lodging, dining and things to do) from our DC Trip
I did not post many reviews from our time in Alexandria and DC. Most of the places we visited (the Memorials, museums, etc.) already had thousands of reviews, and already had the high ratings they deserved so I just did not feel that there was much value in adding my opinion. I did write a few brief reviews for our lodging and dining choices and just one for an attraction, all listed below along with links to the reviews on Trip Advisor.
Hilton Crystal City at Washington Reagan National Airport: Good location and generally a good facility.
Stayed May 4 - 8, 2016; Reviewed May 25, 2015 See this review on Trip Advisor.
I attended a set of business meetings at the Hilton Crystal City and stayed at the hotel as well. The free shuttle made it easy to get to and from DCA, although if you are traveling light the Metro from DCA to Crystal City is pretty convenient as well (5 minute walk from the Metro station to the hotel). The location of the hotel near the Metro as well as very close to several excellent dining options is the main draw.
I found the room to be in very good shape, clean and well appointed, however the bathroom is quite small (serviceable, but a little awkward in terms of the layout). Also the AC/heater unit had a mind of its own. It seemed to cycle at its discretion. But the room was always comfortable, so no harm no foul.
The meeting rooms were serviceable but average.
The staff at the Hilton was very friendly and helpful. The lobby café/bar was nothing special but did provide a place to grab a quick bite to eat or a drink.
Stayed May 4 - 8, 2016; Reviewed May 25, 2015 See this review on Trip Advisor.
I attended a set of business meetings at the Hilton Crystal City and stayed at the hotel as well. The free shuttle made it easy to get to and from DCA, although if you are traveling light the Metro from DCA to Crystal City is pretty convenient as well (5 minute walk from the Metro station to the hotel). The location of the hotel near the Metro as well as very close to several excellent dining options is the main draw.
I found the room to be in very good shape, clean and well appointed, however the bathroom is quite small (serviceable, but a little awkward in terms of the layout). Also the AC/heater unit had a mind of its own. It seemed to cycle at its discretion. But the room was always comfortable, so no harm no foul.
The meeting rooms were serviceable but average.
The staff at the Hilton was very friendly and helpful. The lobby café/bar was nothing special but did provide a place to grab a quick bite to eat or a drink.
Embassy Suites Alexandria Old-Town: Perfect location as a base for exploring the area.
Stayed May 8-10, 2015; reviewed May 24, 2015. See this review on Trip Advisor.
My wife and I added a few days to a business trip so that we could explore the area and relax a bit in Old Town. The Embassy Suites was perfect for our needs. The location was idea as it was just across the street from the Kings Street Metro Station and also provided easy access to the dining and shops arrayed along Kings Street (from the Embassy Suites to the east end of Kings Street is just a little over a mile and a fairly easy walk). The easy access to the Metro station made getting around the DC area very simple and also provided quick and easy access to Reagan National Airport.
As for the hotel, the staff was friendly and the room was clean, well appointed and had plenty of space. I find that Embassy Suites always provide good properties and a good value whenever I stay in one and this was no exception. The Manager's Reception each evening and the free breakfast each morning are great additions.
I will be staying at the Embassy Suites in Old Town the next time I visit the area.
Stayed May 8-10, 2015; reviewed May 24, 2015. See this review on Trip Advisor.
My wife and I added a few days to a business trip so that we could explore the area and relax a bit in Old Town. The Embassy Suites was perfect for our needs. The location was idea as it was just across the street from the Kings Street Metro Station and also provided easy access to the dining and shops arrayed along Kings Street (from the Embassy Suites to the east end of Kings Street is just a little over a mile and a fairly easy walk). The easy access to the Metro station made getting around the DC area very simple and also provided quick and easy access to Reagan National Airport.
As for the hotel, the staff was friendly and the room was clean, well appointed and had plenty of space. I find that Embassy Suites always provide good properties and a good value whenever I stay in one and this was no exception. The Manager's Reception each evening and the free breakfast each morning are great additions.
I will be staying at the Embassy Suites in Old Town the next time I visit the area.
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant: A lot to pay for average service and mediocre food.
Dined here on May 7, 2015; reviewed May 25, 2015 See this review on Trip Advisor.
My wife a friend and I ate here on a Thursday evening in early May. We were surprised that we were seated immediately considering that we arrived right at dinner. But that was the highlight of the evening. The service was adequate but not stellar. It seemed to take a long time for the food to come out from the kitchen. While the food was good, it still seemed to be on the expensive side. The overall experience was nothing special so I do not think that I will return.
Dined here on May 7, 2015; reviewed May 25, 2015 See this review on Trip Advisor.
My wife a friend and I ate here on a Thursday evening in early May. We were surprised that we were seated immediately considering that we arrived right at dinner. But that was the highlight of the evening. The service was adequate but not stellar. It seemed to take a long time for the food to come out from the kitchen. While the food was good, it still seemed to be on the expensive side. The overall experience was nothing special so I do not think that I will return.
Fish Market: We liked it so much we ate there two nights in a row!
Ate here on May 8 and 9, 2015; reviewed May 25, 2015 See this review on Trip Advisor.
My wife and I stayed in Old Town for two nights in early May (added a weekend to the end of a business trip). Based on recommendations of friends and the staff at the hotel where we were staying, we ate at the Fish Market on our first night. Once inside, we remembered that we had eaten there during our previous visit to the area back in 2001 and re recalled that we enjoyed our meal back then so this would be a nice test for seeing how well the restaurant had “aged.” Well no worries as we had excellent service and the food was wonderful.
They do not accept reservations, but it is a large, multi-floor facility, so there were no issues with getting a table at 6:30 on a Friday evening. The service was prompt and the server was very friendly, helpful and quite patient with all our questions. The menu was a great selection of seafood dishes. There is also a nice variety of craft beers on the drink menu, including several IPAs which is important for a hophead like me!
I started with the lobster bisque which was outstanding then had the jambalaya for the main course. What a great choice. The 3 Brothers Brewing IPA was the perfect complement to the meal. My wife had the scallops which she greatly enjoyed. It was a very good meal overall! In fact, even with all the dining options arrayed along King Street, we enjoyed the Fish Market so much that we returned the following evening for an equally remarkable repeat performance. So even after fourteen years we found the experience to be as good as the first time we visited. And the next time we’re in Old Town, we’ll be eating at the Fish Market again.
Ate here on May 8 and 9, 2015; reviewed May 25, 2015 See this review on Trip Advisor.
My wife and I stayed in Old Town for two nights in early May (added a weekend to the end of a business trip). Based on recommendations of friends and the staff at the hotel where we were staying, we ate at the Fish Market on our first night. Once inside, we remembered that we had eaten there during our previous visit to the area back in 2001 and re recalled that we enjoyed our meal back then so this would be a nice test for seeing how well the restaurant had “aged.” Well no worries as we had excellent service and the food was wonderful.
They do not accept reservations, but it is a large, multi-floor facility, so there were no issues with getting a table at 6:30 on a Friday evening. The service was prompt and the server was very friendly, helpful and quite patient with all our questions. The menu was a great selection of seafood dishes. There is also a nice variety of craft beers on the drink menu, including several IPAs which is important for a hophead like me!
I started with the lobster bisque which was outstanding then had the jambalaya for the main course. What a great choice. The 3 Brothers Brewing IPA was the perfect complement to the meal. My wife had the scallops which she greatly enjoyed. It was a very good meal overall! In fact, even with all the dining options arrayed along King Street, we enjoyed the Fish Market so much that we returned the following evening for an equally remarkable repeat performance. So even after fourteen years we found the experience to be as good as the first time we visited. And the next time we’re in Old Town, we’ll be eating at the Fish Market again.
Bread and Chocolate: Awesome Creme Brulee
Had dessert here on May 8 and 9, 2015; reviewed May 24, 2015 See this review on Trip Advisor.
My wife and I were looking for a place to grab dessert after having dinner elsewhere in Old Town and we just stumbled on to Bread and Chocolate while walking along King Street. Bread and Chocolate, two of my favorite food groups, so it had to be good, right? Well, yes it was. The dessert display case was full of amazing treats but I quickly zeroed in on the chocolate creme brulee. I believe my wife got the strawberry cheesecake. We got an order to go and devoured our desserts back at our hotel. Excellent! In fact the desserts were so good that we stopped there the next night! I can tell you where I will be having dessert the next time I am in Old Town!
Had dessert here on May 8 and 9, 2015; reviewed May 24, 2015 See this review on Trip Advisor.
My wife and I were looking for a place to grab dessert after having dinner elsewhere in Old Town and we just stumbled on to Bread and Chocolate while walking along King Street. Bread and Chocolate, two of my favorite food groups, so it had to be good, right? Well, yes it was. The dessert display case was full of amazing treats but I quickly zeroed in on the chocolate creme brulee. I believe my wife got the strawberry cheesecake. We got an order to go and devoured our desserts back at our hotel. Excellent! In fact the desserts were so good that we stopped there the next night! I can tell you where I will be having dessert the next time I am in Old Town!
George Washington Masonic National Memorial:
Not a "must do" but certainly worth the time for the tour.
Visited May 10, 2015; reviewed May 24, 2015 See this review on Trip Advisor.
I've had business and stayed in Old Town Several times, a few very near the Memorial and had always wanted to check it out so this last trip I finally made time for the tour. My wife and I were staying at the Embassy Suites which was just a short walk to the Memorial. We visited on a Sunday morning, arriving just as the Memorial opened at 9:00 and signed up for the 9:30 tour (first offering of the day). This gave a some time to roam around the main hall and some of the historical displays.
The tour was only $10 per person and lasted about an hour. The guide was very friendly and quite knowledgeable, but also give us time at each stop to explore the displays at our own pace. There was a good mix of information about George Washington, US history and the history of the Masons. The views from the observation deck of the memorial are worth the price of admission.
I thought the tour was well worth cost and the time, but I would not say this was something that had to be done while visiting the area. Still, considering that only a short visit is needed to get a lot out of the time, why not visit
Not a "must do" but certainly worth the time for the tour.
Visited May 10, 2015; reviewed May 24, 2015 See this review on Trip Advisor.
I've had business and stayed in Old Town Several times, a few very near the Memorial and had always wanted to check it out so this last trip I finally made time for the tour. My wife and I were staying at the Embassy Suites which was just a short walk to the Memorial. We visited on a Sunday morning, arriving just as the Memorial opened at 9:00 and signed up for the 9:30 tour (first offering of the day). This gave a some time to roam around the main hall and some of the historical displays.
The tour was only $10 per person and lasted about an hour. The guide was very friendly and quite knowledgeable, but also give us time at each stop to explore the displays at our own pace. There was a good mix of information about George Washington, US history and the history of the Masons. The views from the observation deck of the memorial are worth the price of admission.
I thought the tour was well worth cost and the time, but I would not say this was something that had to be done while visiting the area. Still, considering that only a short visit is needed to get a lot out of the time, why not visit
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