The Women’s March on Washington is set for Jan. 21, the day after Inauguration Day. That being said, demand for accommodations the weekend of Jan. 20 has been shooting through the roof. Hotels were already reporting near-full bookings just days after Election Day, even those charging exorbitant “inauguration day special” prices of up to $1500 per night. Luckily, there are a lot of places to stay in and around the District, if you’re headed to the DMV area for the march.
Find the right place to stay for the Women's March on Washington.
Where To Stay For The Women's March On Washington
In the District
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Splurge
If you don’t mind dishing out upwards from $1,000 per night, there are still a few luxury hotels with available rooms in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of the District. The Kimpton hotel chain, Grand Hyatt and Mayflower are a few of the options that aren’t completely booked. Dupont Circle is a great neighborhood for D.C. travel, regardless of the occasion, boasting a delightful atmosphere and timeless charm. You’ll be close enough to the Lincoln Memorial and the White House, where the march is set to run its course, but far enough to get a restful, quiet shut-eye the eve of.
In the District
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Budget
The best area to find a whole range of options is the neighborhood that doesn’t find a flood of tourists a big deal. Union Station is the Grand Central Station of D.C., surrounded by hotels, motels and rooms for rent. Four-star hotels such as Embassy Row or Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill hits the $600 per night mark, but hostels and motels nearby can be booked for around $300 per night. Capital View Hostel is about $1,000 for a three-night stay. You can also find boutique hotels a few Metro stops from the National Mall, such as Asante Sana Inn, for around $175 per night.
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While it’s unfortunate that property owners are doubling, even tripling prices for inauguration weekend, there’s still hope of booking affordable accommodations. If you In the District with your friends or fellow travelers, you can stay in a nice and private place in a good location without having to spend more than $50 a night. HI Washington D.C. Hostel offers dormitory-style rooms in the $20 to $30 range, if you don’t mind sharing space with other travelers. You can also book a private room in the hostel, which still costs less than $100 per night. D.C. Lofty is another option, with dorm rooms averaging $100 to $150 per night. If you’re looking into room rentals, make sure the listings are not a scam. Some “renters,” through booking sites such as Airbnb and VRBO, have been posting fake pictures from real estate websites, and even of rooms in the White House, as available listings. Refer to this TripAdvisor forum if you want to make sure that a place is legit.
In the District
In the District
Photo: Movin'Maryland
Splurge
Bethesda, Silver Spring and College Park are suburban Maryland neighborhoods that are easily accessible from D.C. The Metro Red Line has stations in Bethesda and Silver Spring, while the Green Line serves College Park. These parts of Maryland are relatively close to D.C., with significantly less expensive, high-quality accommodations. Brand name hotels such as the Hyatt Regency, Sheraton and Marriott are about half as costly, averaging around $400 to $500 per night. The Courtyard Marriott is a popular option for visitors from the east coast because of its proximity to the New Carrollton Metro station, which also serves as a MARC and Amtrak station. Room rates in this area usually bump up to $200 on weekends, possibly even higher in January 2017.
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There are definitely more options to save on accommodations once you cross the border into Maryland. If you’re looking to spend around $100 per night, check out hotels at the Branch Avenue station, just off I-495 east. Holiday Inn and Country Inn & Suites, both within walking distance of the station, offer free parking, free internet and free breakfast. You may also find rooms available for rent in Maryland, but with some renters charging up to $100 per night, you might find better deals at by inns or motels.
In the District
In the District
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Splurge
You'll love charming Alexandria, which is close to Reagan National Airport and has a delightful Old Town with great food and cute shops. It's really easy to get to downtown D.C. from here, and there is a free trolley service that connects you to the metro station. Tyson’s Corner is a good place to start when looking for housing options, thanks to the new Silver Line that connects D.C. to this area of Virginia. You’ll find a mix of options and price points near the Spring Hill station, and get more bang for your buck, even if you decide to splurge. Some hotels, such as the Hyatt near the Reston Silver Line station, provide free shuttle service to the Metro and Dulles airport, so don’t rule out options that seem a bit far on the map. Accommodations near Reagan National Airport are among the most expensive, regardless of occasion or season, fluctuating in the $400 to $500 range per night.
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If you still want to stay near Reagan National Airport, the Americana is one of the more budget-friendly options, falling in the $200 to $300 dollar range. Once you get out of Crystal City, you’ll find the price points drop. Arlington may seem far, but you'll be surprised how close it is to the city, how great of a town it is, and how nice the lower room rates are. Enjoy an upgraded stay, the Residence Inn, Westin Inn and Key Bridge Marriott in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington County often see a fall in weekend rates. While that might not happen the weekend of the march, you won’t be dealing with extravagant prices in the upper hundreds. A budget under $300 per night should cover an Arlington stay. Hostels in Virginia aren’t necessarily in the best locations for easy access to public transportation, but you may find an increase of people renting out rooms or leasing space for the weekend. Pro tip: booking a vacation rental can save you a ton of money if you split it with a group.
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This article was written by Hanna Choi.