Capital City Offers A Host Of Value Options

<H1>Capital City Offers A Host Of Value Options</H1><H3>By Lauren Bielski</H3><I>Washington, D.C. </I>- If you talk to local planners and frequent travelers, they will tell you that the metropolitan area has a thriving business and cultural community that rivals its value as our nation's capital.

For the corporate market, Washington offers a variety of pricing and service options-especially if your organization either subcontracts or is affiliated with the Federal government, entitling it to even deeper-than-corporate discounts. Of course, that's not to say that the attractions drawing tourists here don't also appeal to business travelers and the planners who arrange their trips.

Easily explored on foot or Metro, the city's subway system, the 67-square-mile diamond-shaped city is divided into four quadrants-northwest, southwest, northeast and southeast-that radiate from the U.S. Capitol Building at the center.

Travelers who want to ease their journey in town are advised to use the Metro, unless perhaps they are visiting for the first time. Travel managers described the transit system as safe, attractive and very affordable. And, it reaches enough key locations to shuttle visitors within the city and to nearby suburbs, including Silver Spring and Chevy Chase, Md.

Executives carrying a light load should check out the subway. Fare cards must be purchased at vending machines that are located inside the stations.

Base fare for the Metro system is $1.10; the maximum fare is $3.25 during peak hours, Monday through Friday, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Cabs still are governed by the zone system (see story on D.C. taxis, Page 32) and traffic can be a headache, making this mode of transportation as well as car rental inadvisable. In fact, parking can be worse than in New York City. The metropolitan area also is served by a number of car services.

Getting here, in contrast, is a relatively easy task. Washington is served by three major airports; National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Airport. Travel managers suggested that travelers fly into BWI for a significantly cheaper fare.

While hotels are considered affordable, cherry-blossom season may not be the best time to book. Look to the smaller, boutique hotels for a good deal. One recommendation is the Lombardy (2019 Pennsylvania Ave.) four blocks from the White House. This charming, European-style property is ideal for small groups. Another non-standard option is the Latham Hotel (3000 M St.). The 143-room property is centrally located in Georgetown and features an additional nine duplex carriage suites. Other properties suggested by TMs include the Grand Hyatt Washington (100 H St.), the Doubletree at Army Navy Drive in Arlington, Va., and the Holiday Inn Georgetown (2101 Wisconsin Ave.).

As far as improvements go, downtown Washington continues to undergo renovation; the former red-light district now thrives in the areas surrounding the Washington Convention Center. Pennsylvania Avenue, the city's major historic artery, is replete with the sort of new plazas, office space, retail areas, theaters and restaurants that give meeting planners a variety of options.

Planners suggest several options in which executives can take in the city's sights and sounds with fresh eyes.

If time allows, a great way to explore the capital is on foot. Washington offers some unusual views of monuments at sunrise or sunset, when atmosphere is ideal and crowds are fewer. One option that combines eating and sightseeing between morning and afternoon appointments is to visit places like the Pavilion at the Old Post Office (12th and Pennsylvania NW), which, in addition to being a healthy-choices food court, has a bell tower with an excellent view of the Washington Monument.

For travelers who want to integrate exercise into their sightseeing, this jogger's mecca has flower-lined trails that parallel the Potomac River-a good bet for those staying in Georgetown or Foggy Bottom.

When it comes to dining downtown, Washington offers several formal restaurants and plenty of food-court-with-style venues. Two winners for travelers with tight schedules are Sholls Colonial Cafeteria (1990 K St.) and Au Bon Pain Cafe on the lower level of Pentagon City Fashion Center. The former eatery offers plenty of corporate atmosphere (suits abound) and complete meals for about $5; the latter, part of a chain, features the "best cheap sandwiches south of DuPont Circle." One highly recommended full-service option is Ciao Baby Cucina (1736 L St. NW), with a menu offering veal, seafood and pasta.

For those who prefer a more leisurely lunch, a quick trip to DuPont Circle-a former Gilded Age society neighborhood located northwest of the mall area-gets you to Vidallias (20th and M St.) for moderately priced home-style Southern cooking. In nearby Foggy Bottom, Kinkead's (2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) boasts the work of acclaimed chef Bob Kinkead, specializing in fresh seafood with live entertainment on weekdays and weekends. In historic Georgetown, dining suggestions include Donatello's (2514 L St.) and newcomer Filomena's (1063 Wisconsin Ave.).