Is Crystal City a good place to stay in Washington, DC?

Crystal City is a practical base if you want to be next to Reagan National Airport with a fast Metro into DC. Crystal City station on the Blue and Yellow lines is a stop from the airport, and the Mall, the Smithsonian museums and L'Enfant Plaza are a short ride across the river. It suits business travellers, people with early flights and anyone looking for a better rate than in the city.

The area is modern and businesslike, built around office towers, apartment blocks and big hotels along Richmond Highway. Crystal Drive has cafés, restaurants and small parks, and Pentagon City next door has a large shopping mall. Long Bridge Park looks across the Potomac to the monuments, and at Gravelly Point you can watch planes skim low over the river as they land.

The downside is that Crystal City has little charm. Much of it was built for offices, some walkways feel empty in the evenings, and you won't find historic streets or a lively restaurant scene on your doorstep. Every sightseeing day means a Metro ride over the river.

What makes Crystal City worth considering is how easy it makes a trip to Washington. You can be at the airport in minutes, reach the Mall quickly on the Metro and pay less for a larger, newer room than in downtown DC, with river views and cycle paths close by.