where to stay in the DC vicinity

Annjohn,

We assembled the top picks on Trekaroo not too long ago and featured the best hotels in DC for families on our blog. Here's a link to the article.
http://blog.trekaroo.com/2009/12/01/top-washington-dc-hotels-for-families-voted-by-parents/

Love it if you would book your hotel stay on Trekaroo. We have a lowest price guarantee because of the wonderful rates offered through our partnership with hotels.com. Click the "Book Travel" tab or "check availability" on any page with hotel reviews.

The two suite hotels in the city are:

Embassy Suites which is 3 blocks from the Metro Center station and 7 blocks to the mall which is walkable when with teenagers.
http://bookings.trekaroo.com/hotel/propertydetails/232357/SUMMARY?isHRN=true&position=3&travelDetail=[20100714-2]2&cid=231731

The other suite hotel is Homewood Suites which is more affordable, but not within walking distance to the Mall. It's also a little further from a Metro stop (7 blocks to McPherson), but still in the city which makes it nice.

http://bookings.trekaroo.com/hotel/propertydetails/173762/SUMMARY?isHRN=false&position=7&travelDetail=[20100714-2]2&cid=231731

There are also lots of great suite hotels in Alexandria, VA (Springhill Suites, Homewood, Comfort Inn and Suites) but these are then outside of DC. Very easy to commute into the city from there though.