hotel's couldn't be cheaper but in the winter there's not much lobbying and they are a big chunk of visiting clients.
As a new guy you'll do great. Try to stay in Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, clients will walk, take Metro or Uber to you from the suburbs but don't bring a car because you won't need it and parking could be difficult to find.
Come here, take Amtrak to NYC and fly back home, you'll get lucky in one city or the other and because of Covid-19 and low season the investment in the hotel or Airbnb won't be as much as later in the year.