I'm currently staying here, and will depart tomorrow. I stay with HIlton properties mostly so my review may be more critical than others. There are many things to like about this hotel, my room is comfortable. There are marble countertops and a full size fridge. It has all the items necessary for an extended stay including a two burner stove, microwave, dishes, diswasher, pots, pans, iron and ironing board, etc... I am staying in a 1 bedroom suite. I have a view of a roof and other hotel rooms. I keep the curtains closed, needless to say.
One point I had issue with was the description on the hotel website that is is steps from the Metro, it is if you count your steps in the thousands. I had to pack for a two month journey so I did not come light. I decided to walk from the Metro stop, not a good idea. The hotel does not offer a shuttle. Overall, I found the location less convenient than most other properties I have stayed with at Hilton in the DC area. This is a major detractor for me and I am moving to the Homewood in Silver Spring after tomorrow.
On the up side, and this is why it is good for families, is the dinner service. Tyey serve real food. It is not always cooked to perfection, but there is enough of it to feed you and your family. Since the food is served buffet style it is likely cooked hours before and left to stay heated until it gets on the line, this means your vegetables are soggy and unappetizing. Dinner service is included Monday through Thursday. Breakfast is also included 7 days a week. There is nothing to order. You'll have your choice of a couple of standard breakfast items such as scrambled eggs (may or may not be runny), biscuits, sausage, etc. Along with some everyday fair that includes waffles, toast, cereal, oatmeal, etc... Plenty enough to find something to eat. I would have liked to see some fresh cut fruit, but the hotel did provide fresh apples, oranges, and bananas. I did not run into major bottlenecks at the buffet line as I have in the past at other hotels. THe closer you get to closing time the more difficulty you will have finding items on the buffet line, Yesterday, there was no coffee, or hot water for tea. Since I only eat one piece of toast and a fruit along with a cup of coffee or tea this was somewhat dissatisfying for me.
Internet, is slow. I subscribe to movie channels and seldom watch live tv, forget about getting a good enough stream to watch a movie here. I was able to do so over at the Residence Inn in Old Town Alexandria last week so I know it is possible. Perhaps the hotel does not wish to invest the capital it would take to provide good Internet service.
This is an older building that has likely gone under remodeling. Consequently, there are problems finding available outlets to plug my electronics into. With a laptop, work BlackBerry, Cell Phone, work laptop, and other electronics (toothbrush, razor) I need to be able to find sufficient power. Other Hilton properties solve this probloem by using lights that have outlets built into the bases, nothing like that here. Be prepared to have to choose between your light source or your cell phone charger.
Bottom line?
Parking, as others have noted, is expensive. If I had a car I would stay someplace else, but since I don't have a car, and the walk to the Metro is so inconvenient, I would also rather stay someplace else. That's why I can only give it 3 stars and I'll pass on this property in the future.
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