The location of this hotel could not be better when visiting downtown DC. However, the first time I went to take a shower the water temperature was slightly below room temp (the weather outside was freezing) so that really started my day off badly. Then the next day I went to take a shower and the water pressure was non-existent so I had to take a bath instead. The water temp was slightly above room temp (an improvement from the day before) but the water pressure was so low that it just trickled into the bathtub. Fortunately, the sink water temperature was very hot so I filled up the coffee pot and used it to fill my tub with hot water to combine with the luke warm water trickling from the tub faucet. I called down to the front desk to let them know they may have a water pressure problem and the front desk person just said "Oh, I can send someone up to fix it for you." I said that I was checking out in a few minutes and it was too late for that but that she should be concerned about other guests on the same floor - the Executive Club level. She seemed confused by my response and asked "when should I send the maintaince person up to fix it" and I said "Before the next person checks in and make sure you check on the other rooms on this floor too." Gheez!
There have been other reviews about the shower situation so I should have known better than checking into this hotel but you would think they would fix this issue rather than continuing to have folks complain about it.
The service was mediocre at best. It is DC so you cannot expect them to be too friendly.
I am a Priority Club Member and I was not recongized as one when I checked in - that does not really bug me but I needed to ask a question about my membership status being Gold or not on the room because you get extra points for being a Gold member. So I asked them to confirm my status in their records/computer just to make sure my recent Gold upgrade was being "counted" towards this stay and the check-in person was very dismissive of my question and just told me to look it up myself.
The breakfast buffet was large but fairly bland and lack luster. The food was just blah and the service was again mediocre. Also, I am a tea drinker so I always pay attention to the tea offerings at breakfast and there was only regular Lipton available and nothing else.
My bedroom was an Executive King so the size was very nice but it was very long and not very wide. Nice windows but the heater/ac was 2 window units that were controlled by a wall thermostat. However, you could not control the fan speed and one of the vents was directly across from the bed so (it being freezing outside) the heater basically blew in your face all night long or you could turn it off and freeze all night because there was no extra blanket in the room.
Again, the location was perfect and the room was not terrible. It was clean but dingy looking and there were little signs of wear and tear on the room. The lobby was nice and having a Starbuck's in the lobby was wonderful. The convenience of walking a block to the metro station made all the difference for this hotel but it is just too bad they do not seem to be getting the service and shower improvement messages from their patrons.
I did love and truly appreciate the wireless internet. It was convenient, easy to use, and adequately fast enough for my needs.
I've stayed in worse hotels but I have definitely stayed in better. The JW Marriott on the opposite side of the Mall is a far better value and experience than this hotel.
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