<p>So my parents want to know, other than the Marriott at UMD, where else they can go when I do orientation. I really don't know the area well, some say Laurel is not safe, that is why hotels are cheaper there, anyone with some experience, could let me know what to tell them? thanks</p>
<p>Check out this thread…</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1107027-college-park-hotel-recommendations.html?highlight=hotels[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1107027-college-park-hotel-recommendations.html?highlight=hotels</a></p>
<p>We were in College Park area for a week this year (covering graduation). We waited too late to make hotel reservations, and the rates were the highest we’ve seen them in 4 years (never stayed over the time of graduation before). We ended up booking a condo in Greenbelt via VRBO.COM for something like $105 a night for the week. It was sparsely decorated but was clean and in a very safe condo development off of rt 193.</p>
<p>A friend stayed in the Greenbelt Holiday Inn (usually our destination) and had a bad experience; she had been relocated from a nice room (that stunk of cigarette smoke), and ended up in one of the older-not-yet-redone rooms. It was less than great…first time I’ve heard of a bad experience there.</p>
<p>thank you, they are not familiar at all (neither am I) with the area hotels, and they are even thinking of going to Annapolis since they have a car, and I would not be with them anyway for orientation. I am aware is 25 to 30 min. drive, but, is it worth it? thanks</p>
<p>For the night between your 2-day orientation, Annapolis would be a great destination for them, especially since they don’t need to be on campus early on the 2nd day. They can do their “own” Annapolis tour on the 2nd day. For visiting campus later on (for example, parents weekend), they’ll probably want to be closer to campus. We enjoy the Greenbelt area because it is more of a business/office park area and away from some of the more “interesting” places on Rt. 1. We’ve stayed at the Marriott on campus once, at some time that was an “off” time…the hotel rates were really reasonable. We always check, but it’s usually quite a bit more expensive than the Greenbelt hotels. The Greenbelt hotels only work if you have a car, however.</p>
<p>Thank you Astromom, because of a lack of a real college town, i have no idea which other
areas are safe nearer than Annapolis, unless you can let me know. Greenbelts sounds ok, but is there a more populated area where one can walk around, cafes, restaurants etc without having to go as far as 30 mins from College Park?
By accident, and then she cancelled, she reserved near the NASA, oy!</p>
<p>That’s where we usually stay, hahaha…not too far from Goddard. Silver Spring has a lot going on, but I don’t know what hotels are walking distance of all of the stuff. </p>
<p>We’re stopping on our way to Boston next week, both coming and going to say hi to D2 and D1’s bf…I think we’re going to roll the dice and stay at one of the rt 1 hotels to save $$. Since my husband will be with me, I will feel much more comfortable than if I was travelling alone…</p>
<p>haha! it was Goddard, lol, I think it was the Sheraton, but then they told her that she really needs a car, because public transportation requires a request for hotel shuttle, so she felt that it really doesn’t matter where she stays as long as it is safe, for a car will be needed for everything, especially when, during orientation, parking at UMD will be free. Not only are they almost sold out the acomodations at CP but they really don’t look good at all, any plans for the town to improve the “look”? I do love the school and all it has to offer, just can’t seem to understand how its government doesn’t take an opportunity to make the place more enticing. Thank you once again for your help!!</p>
<p>we usually stay at a residence inn in silver spring. Do not stay on rt. 1 it is not the safest. Annapolis is a really nice town, but it is 30-40 minutes away. I recommend staying in Silver spring. It is a much nicer part of town.</p>
<p>They actually decided to go to Rockville even if it is 30 mins away because they have friends and family around there so they can go out , the hotels look nice too. Thank you all for the info!</p>