The Courtyard is brandy-spankin' new.
I just did a google-search on "Silver Spring Hotels" and came up with this:
http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&rlz...local&ct=title
This may be helpful. The Hilton, the CrownePlaza (Holiday Inn), and the new Courtyard Marriott, are all within walking distance (couple of city blocks) of the Metro station, which would allow them easy access to the whole of the D.C. area (well, what's accessible by Metro!).
Honestly, since I live here, I never stay in the hotels. But co-workers from our regional offices have stayed in the CrownePlaza and the Hilton and report them as being fine.