Given your demographic, I'd also pick the Westin Grand. There's a great sports bar around the corner (if you are into that), you are close to Foggy Bottom, DuPont Circle, and Gtown, there's a Trader Joe's on the next block so you can stock up on snacks/food, and a lot livelier in the evening (although not hopping; it is just hotels and residential in the immediate couple of blocks).

The W is going to be dead at night with almost only tourists. No one lives near the W (except the Obamas). A lot fewer options.

 

Thanks for all of the feedback. It seems like the Grand is definitely the winner of the Starwood Properties.

Just to throw this into the mix (probably the wrong forum, mod feel free to move), got a call from the Park Hyatt today saying they're willing to do their Deluxe Park room (essentially a Jr. Suite, 618 sq ft), plus free internet and 25% off laundry/dry cleaning. other perks include car service (if ever available).

where does this leave me? SPG is certainly a better program that Hyatt Gold, from what I can tell, but the Park Hyatt is consistently rated very highly.

Any insight? Should I go back to the Westin and ask them to sweeten the deal?

 

Definitely go back to Westin to negotiate, can't hurt.

I like the Park Hyatt a lot. That's a toughie.

 

Any ideas on what to ask for? I'm torn because as much as the extras are nice, the room is what really matters for a 60 day stay, and I doubt the Westin will give me a true suite...

 

Well, that changes everything!

I'm a Starwood guy but I had Hyatt points that I had probably not used in years. Hyatt has great suite upgrades - 6,000 points for up to 4 nights. So we used them for a suite at the Park Hyatt DC. The hotel is one of my favorite on the planet. Everyone and everything is impeccable. The only problem we had is with breakfast on two occasions.

My son and his family live in DC and our visits are to see them. So we like to treat them to a nice breakfast at the hotel. On two occasions, the service was very slow. Not totally ridiculous but maybe "somewhat" ridiculous! The restaurant wasn't busy, it was only breakfast, we had small children and were waiting almost 30 minutes for eggs, etc. Each time I had to complain, and each time the entire breakfast was comped! That is the level they hold themselves to.

Hyatt does not have a credit card so point value is very good - you have to stay to get points. 60 days will generate a slew of points. Thinking I'd be there every month, I got them to comp me Hyatt Diamond that includes free breakfasts. Perhaps you can get them to do the same. In addition, it will mean you garner more points from your stay - as I recall, it was a 30% bonus.

If I had to choose between a junior suite at the Grand and at the Hyatt, I wouldn't wait a nanosecond thinking about it! The Park Hyatt is too wonderful to pass up. And heck, if you don't like it, I imagine the Grand will welcome you there after a week!

 

As true as this is, 1 problem is Hyatt has very limited Hotels (although some really Great ones). So Id suggest the OP to go to www.hyatt.com and view where they have Hotels and see if any of those places are of interest to them, if yes then put the Hyatt into play as a possibility, if not then stick with SPG

 

My two cents.... which are worth about what you paid for them.

I'd eliminate the Westin City Center immediately. It's a great DEAL when I need it on the weekends (usually ~$100/night), but it's not readily metro'able. and not all that great in terms of stuff to do.

Next, I'd eliminate the W because of location. Not sure about the hotel itself, but it's not near much. It is metroable, though.

That leaves the Westin Grand and the Fairfax. I've not stayed at the renovated Fairfax, but I really liked the area - there's a grocery store maybe 4-5 blocks away that's better stocked than Trader Joe's, plus a Washington Sports Club on Connecticuit that's easily walkable and the nicest WSC I used.

The Grand didn't strike me as terribly nice, but I did like the area as well. It's a tad collegey, but I didn't mind that as I was in the OP's demographic when I was there. It's not terribly convenient to the Metro, IMO. I wound up getting a corp apt at 2400 M across the street from the Grand and it was an OK time.

For my money, I liked the location of the (now) Fairfax. Both hotels are passable, so I'd see who'll do more for you if you plan on a single stay.

Were it me staying here, I might do a week at each, see which I liked better, maybe try the W for a weekend. The areas are very different and working in DC you might as well experience the variety it has to offer!

Note to the OP - I did a very similar gig about 2 years ago, so if you have questions about settling in, PM me. I really like the district so am still a frequent visitor.

 

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9530/4.7.0.113 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

I stayed at the Grand for like 6 months. Staff is great as is location. Gym and food are not.

If it weren't for that Park Hyatt offer I would pick the Grand, but the Hyatt is in a whole other category. Pick the Hyatt.

 

I'll defend the W's location a little...I'm feeling contrary today It's walkable to Penn Quarter and Gallery Place, where there are a ton of restaurants and bars and such (anyone who's been away from DC for 3-4 years would be amazed to see the amount of construction and renovation that's taken place along F Street lately). If any of your clients are downtown there's a reasonable chance their offices are in that area. Additionally, the W had their media open last week and got good reviews, particularly for the rooftop bar.

All that said, it seems like amenity-wise the Hyatt is likely be the way to go. It's a great location (my favorite part of the city actually) but you'll probably want to walk to Dupont for nghtlife. The hotel's immediate vicinity is a tad residential, and Foggy Bottom to the south is dominated by GWU students.

 

Since the Hyatt and the Westin Grand are directly across the street from one another, to me it boils down to personal preference and how they want to earn/redeem points.

 

Hyatt offer is def. tempting. I would put it back on Grand's table to see what they can offer I like spg for the redemptions and/or promotions. Good luck on making your decision.

 

The Park Hyatt DC is an awesome property. It's one of my favorite Hyatt properties anywhere. Service is great, and the junior suites are extremely comfortable. And the bathrooms - oh, my. Very luxurious.

 

This from a person who stays in all of the finest/fabulous hotels - go with her recommendation (seriously!) You won't go wrong!