L'Enfant Plaza Hotel worked great for me, although someone visiting with a different purpose may not have enjoyed it as much.
I was there on business and the hotel was only 5 blocks from where I needed to be. One of the main advantages is that the Metro subway has a major station just below the hotel. You can jump on any of the five lines without ever being exposed to the weather.
I flew in from Baltimore International Airport (BWI) and took the B30 WMATA bus straight to Greenbelt station and jumped on a metro- I don't think it could have been any easier, but you should go to the WMATA website for pricing and schedule so you know how much to put on your subway ticket/card.
The hotel rooms could use some freshening up, but I didn't find it to be gross or some place that made me feel uncomfortable in any way. The only negative I found was that the pool is only open to 8pm (at least in the winter) and the maid must have skipped a few cleaning steps in the bathroom. It didn't look dirty but there were a few foreign hairs as well as spots on the counter indicating that it had not really been wiped down. I did forget a razor, but the nice staff at reception were able to help me out with a free razor. There is a shop in the lobby with other hygiene items if you need it. I didn't try the restaurants, but Au Bon Pain, which is right at the subway entrance below the hotel had wonderful food.
The lobby was nice as other reviewers stated and there is a computer in the lobby next to where you check in, that allows you to check in and print your boarding passes. This is especially a nice touch if you are flying Southwest and can't get the wi-fi to work (which I couldn't). The wi-fi was wireless and had a good signal, but even though I could connect, I never received the sign-in page so I could actually use the internet. Fortunately, there is a Starbucks only a few blocks away.
As far as proximity to sight seeing, it's a fantastic location. The Smithsonian complex is a mere two blocks away and the Metro in the basement can get you close to anything else you want to see. If you don't mind a little walking, the Capitol building and the Supreme Court are only about a 10 minute walk to one direction and the Washington Monument is about 10 the opposite direction. The hotel is situated among many Government headquarter buildings, so it could prove quite handy for those there on business.
All in all, I would definitely stay here again. The price was low with a deal I received on Travelzoo and it fit all of my needs.
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