Blocks from the White House and from several Metro stations, this place is great if you are looking for a central location. It may not be right on the mall, but It is right next to James Monroe's house. The hotel has an old feel that matches being next to that house. This felt like the proper place to stay for a trip where I would be spending a lot of time studying American history.
The rooms are clean and nicely decorated. The beds felt amazing after a long day of trekking around a city in extreme humidity. The hall behind the beds that has the mini-fridge on one end, a sitting area on the other, and a big empty space in between was just sort of weird looking. It made use as a changing room though. The cleaning service was great. It is also very quiet. We had no view, but for me a working TV is all the view I need at the end of the day.
We ate in the cafe once for breakfast. The pancakes were decent, but the french toast someone else ordered was amazing. We attended a cocktail reception in one of the rooms on the ground floor and the bartenders poured some mean drinks. They were also very accommodating when it came time for the party to end. It took forever for that reception to break up. They did not rush anyone rudely like some places would. It was almost unnoticeable that we went from a reception room with an open bar to the lounge with cash bar.
If you are coming by car be warned: They share the parking lot with the adjacent office building. During the work week, that office takes all the parking. We showed up at noon and were told there was no parking available. When I asked where I can park they sent me to a garage a few blocks away that was also full. They were aware of no others. To have this happen after driving for hours, in an unfamiliar city, and already running late for an event is just frustrating. I was ready to knock multiple stars off this, but the rest of the trip they won me over. Just be prepared to have to look for parking because the valet might not have anywhere to put you.
hotel reviews