Lowes or Historic Inns of Annpolis for I-day and PPW

[Navy616]

We are trying to decide which of these two places would be best to stay at in terms of walking distance and ease of walking. We don't plan to rent a car and want to walk to USNA to avoid the traffic and parking. I think DS reports to Gate 1 (not sure yet) but I have heard also Gate 3 is an option. Any suggestions?

Thanks!!!

 

[MIHOSER]

Your son will report to Alumni Hall. Either Gates 1 or 3 will work. Gate 3 is physically closer to Alumni Hall. Many people park at the football stadium and take the bus, which comes in at Gate 8 and drops you off in front of Alumni Hall. If possible, I would go to the Yard the day before, walk around and get the lay of the land, so to speak. The report times are staggered every 15 minutes. My son didn't report until 9:15 a.m., so there was no point in getting there too early. If you do, you end up standing around outside Alumni Hall, with the plebes-to be getting nervous and the parents getting whatever.

Check out the map of the Yard which (I think) comes with the appointment package. If not, you can find it online.

 

[osdad]

We stayed at Loews - they have a shuttle service (not sure what they're called) that does loops all day long between the hotel and Gate 3 (which is where you'll enter if you're on foot.) The shuttle carts are free - the drivers work for tips. We even got a bit of history lesson on DTA during one of our many trips.

Loews was very nice - and full of wide eyed soon-to-be plebes and their proud but trepidation filled parents.

BTW: we booked through travelocity (I think) and got a very good rate.

 

[slayne]

We have stayed at both and each one has its pros and cons. The Loews is a little further away from the yard but it is newer and they do have some nice resturants for breakfast or a sports bar in the evenings for hamburgers and stuff. The Historic Inns, we stayed at the one across from the State House, is much closer but it really doesn't have a breakfast or any place to eat. We stayed there on PPW and really loved being able to walk to the yard or to breakfast or anywhere downtown. It was nice because we had both sets of grandparents with us and so we could all get ready at our own pace and then just meet at the yard or back at the hotel. It worked really well!! Personally, my vote is The Historic Inn just because you are very close to all the action on the waterfront.

 

[candidsmom]

We stayed at the Historic Inn's Governor's House for I-Day. It was a straight, short walk right into Gate 3. Loved it! For PPW, we rented a house right outrside of Gate 1, couldn't have been more perfect for walking our mid back to Bancroft each night (the cars were lined up as far as you could see in both directions with parents trying to drop mids off by report time).

 

[Lee2015]

Daughter and I stayed at the Historic Inns of Maryland--it is part of the Historic Inns--and loved the location. No parking issues and could walk to everything. We didn't even need to rent a car. We shuttled to and from the airport. The room we stayed in was a tad small for 2 people, but Daughter was in the room with me for only 1 night because she was attending CVW (and I was out shopping or sightseeing, so wasn't in the room a lot). I felt very safe and was comfortable. Couldn't beat the price either--Hotwire.

 

[supportivemom]

For those who are just joining this wonderful navy family, a quick tip. You can often find a great price on hotwire. The only 4 star hotels in annapolis are the Lowes, Marriott, Westin, and O'Callaghan. So, if you find a good price for a 4 star on hotwire it will be at one of those hotels. All are right downtown, all within walking distance. Cheap public parking garage near the O'Callahan also.