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How close do you want to be? Or rather, how far away is too far?

Larry,
The conference hotel is very convenient with the regular shuttle they have and not going through base security every single time you drive. The rooms are nice.

The Virginian Suites
1500 Arlington Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: 866-371-1446
FAX: 703-525-4462

I used to stay at the Days Inn across the street every year until they closed that gate nearby now it's not really worth it and the hotel badly needs an update.

-Chris

I didn't make it last year, but remember reading a post by Don Palmire who suggested Virginian Suites. Said the rate was comparable to Days Inn.

There are hotels in Crystal City and Pentagon City that often have very good rates during the conference (though, I am sure, not because of it), and are convenient if you are driving. The Crystal Gateway Marriott (NOT to be confused with the much older Marriott Gateway, directly across Jeff Davis Blvd.) used to be my favorite of the available options when the Patent Office was in Crystal City, and I have gotten it for 99/night, during the conf.,but the rate does vary. Next door is the Sheraton, but that last time I was there, quite a few years ago, it was moving in the direction of "dump" status. It could have been refurbished by now, but I have no knowledge of that.

There is also a multi-story Marriott Courtyard at the S end of Crystal City (on Jeff. Davis Blvd.) that is pretty convenient.

bloke wrote: . . . but there's a metro station a few blocks from one of the gates. . . .

The Rosslyn metro station is a brisk, half mile walk on N. Meade St past the Iwo Jima Memorial to the Wright gate, then it's another invigorating .6 mile uphill to the program venue at Brucker Hall. Nice walk.
http://www.usarmyband.com/visit/directi ... _hall.html" target="_blank

The Virginian Suites is a decent place, though the rates are a bit higher than the Days Inn. Unlike many area hotels, there is free surface parking for hotel guests. I have walked from their to the Rosslyn Metro station, and it's a good little stroll. It's another significant stroll from there to Brucker. If the weather is nice, the stroll is not too onerous. If the weather is poor, and it often is either quite cold, snowy, rainy, or all three, that walk is not something anyone would look forward to. It is, however, the only hotel within even reasonable walking distance to the activities.

I do not recall if they run a shuttle to the Virginia Suites. They were doing so for a couple of years, but I seem to recall they are doing so no longer. That hotel also runs a shuttle to the Rosslyn Metro Station, but not after fairly early in the evening.

There will be others at the Virginia Suites, making it possible to hitch a ride.

A little ways west, and on the other side of US50, is the Hilton Garden Inn. It is more expensive, but provides parking. And it really is only a couple of blocks from a Metro station (the Courthouse station). But even though it's only about three blocks from the edge of Fort Myer, it is not close to any entrance and still requires a car or a ride.

Of course, if you have a car, you can go further afield, as Mike suggests. Crystal City isn't far, but it's on the other side of a nearly impenetrable wall of confusion known as I-395 and all its associated ramps. The Virginian Suites, the Hilton Garden Inn, and the one or two other spots in the Arlington Courthouse vicinity are close enough to Fort Myer that you might be able to find a willing soul to drop you off even if they are staying somewhere else.

The Days Inn was never a very nice place to stay, and it's gotten worse over the years.

Rick "who'll probably be at the Hilton Garden Inn on business earlier that week, again this year" Denney

If it were me:

I'd bid on Priceline, Hotwire, or one of those other "blind" sites (that is, you find out what your hotel is *after* you commit and pay). I've done that dozens of times (though not in DC), and have never gone wrong. You might not be in walking distance, but given the few options that are, I'd prefer to spend a few more bucks and stay in a nicer place.

January in DC is a cold, slow, and generally miserable time of year for tourists. When I went to college outside of DC, it was the perfect time to go, and made up for avoiding it all summer long. You should be able to make a low bid or another good deal from one of those Groupon-like sites since hotels will just want people in their rooms.

bort wrote:January in DC is a cold, slow, and generally miserable time of year for tourists. When I went to college outside of DC, it was the perfect time to go, and made up for avoiding it all summer long. You should be able to make a low bid or another good deal from one of those Groupon-like sites since hotels will just want people in their rooms.

That really depends on lots of things. There have been times when it has been dang-nigh impossible to find any room in the vicinity at least on the weeknights leading up to the conference. Rooms can be had, but there are few empty rooms being thrown out there for cheap.

The federal per-diem rate in DC including Arlington in January is $183 a night. There have been many times when I've had difficulty finding rooms at even that rate in an around DC. I live nearby but far enough so that I can get travel money when I'm attending a multi-day activity, to avoid five hours of rush-hour driving every day. Off-peak, though, I can get to the Army Conference in maybe 75 minutes, plus vehicle inspection time.

The Virginian Suites is the only hotel usefully closer to the conference than any nearby Metro stop. It's also cheaper than most, and reasonably nice by area standards, especially for the money. If you must walk, that's the place to try.

Rick "noting significant snowfall the last two years" Denney

They did have the shuttle last time, though as I only used it a few times I can't speak for its usefulness for the whole week.

I stayed at the Virginian Suites last year and it was fine. But they didn't bother to plow their parking lot and that was AWFUL. But yeah, it's probably the closest decent place to stay. Walking distance to a liquor store too - but I know most of you don't care about that

Stefan

Stefan wrote:Walking distance to a liquor store too - but I know most of you don't care about that
Stefan

Well, I do want to REMEMBER the conference, after all is said and done.

I've stayed here a few times. Decent place, decent price, restaurants and such nearby. The drive in is not too bad.

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I'd love to go to one of these someday. Maybe when I retire.....

They have the schedule up for the 2012 conference

http://www.usarmyband.com/tuba/