Frommer's Review
This convenient hotel -- within walking distance of Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, and Dupont Circle -- offers unbelievable value. You enter into a tropical and glassy eight-story atrium with two continually running waterfalls. You'll enjoy an ample complimentary breakfast -- not your standard cold croissant and coffee, but stations from which you can choose omelets made to order, waffles, bacon, fresh fruit, juices, bagels, and pastries. Tables are scattered in alcoves throughout the atrium to allow for privacy. Each evening, the atrium is the setting for complimentary beverages (including cocktails) and light snacks. Parents are thrilled to discover that they can enjoy themselves at this reception on the mezzanine level while their children sit and watch that night's family video on the widescreen TV. Parents and kids both delight in the daily 9am and 6pm feedings of the schools of koi swimming in the two atrium ponds.
Thanks to a $5.8-million renovation of the entire property completed in 2005, dark marble replaces light marble, guest-room sofas are covered in maroon tapestry fabric, 32-inch plasma TVs are in every room, and wired and wireless Internet access is available throughout the hotel (guests pay $9.95 per 24 hr.). For those who've left the computer at home, there's the business center, where use of three computers and a printer is complimentary.
Every unit is a two-room suite, with a living room that closes off completely from the rest of the suite. The living room holds a queen-size sofa bed, TV, easy chair, and large table with four comfortable chairs around it. The bedroom lies at the back of the suite, overlooking a quiet courtyard of brick walkways or the street. A king-size bed or two queen beds, TV, sink, easy chair, and chest of drawers furnish this space. New bedding (triple sheets and duvets) rests on top of 12-inch thick mattresses. Between the living room and the bedroom are the bathroom, a small closet, and a kitchenette. It's worth requesting one of the eighth- or ninth floor suites with views of Georgetown and beyond, as far as Washington National Cathedral. (The hotel will note your request but won't be able to guarantee you such a suite.) For the roomiest quarters, ask for an "executive corner suite," the slightly larger, slightly more expensive suites situated in the corners of the hotel.
Facilities: Restaurant (northern Italian); state-of-the-art fitness center w/indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna; game room; concierge; business center; room service (11am-11pm); coin-op washer/dryers; same-day laundry service; dry cleaning; 8 rooms for those w/limited mobility, 4 w/roll-in showers.
In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies and PlayStation, 2-line phone w/dataport, high-speed Internet access and Wi-Fi ($9.95/day), kitchenette w/fridge and microwave, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
