I stayed here for two nights, 2/11-12. This is a very large convention hotel. The public areas are very nice, and seem to have been relatively recently renovated. The hotel was reasonably convenient, within about 3 1/2 blocks of the Dupont Circle Metro stop. (It was bitterly cold when I was there, so those 3 1/2 blocks seemed longer than they really were!) There are a lot of restaurants and shops in the area, including a good-sized drug store about a block and a half away. I arrived at the hotel a little after 1pm, and was able to check in right away. My room was 6170, on the 6th floor around the corner from the elevator. Fortunately, there was no elevator noise. The room was a good size, with two double beds, a large armoire holding the 25" TV (older model with mediocre sound), a work table with the phone/internet connection, and a chair by the window. The room was very clean, but a bit worn; the bedding and beds, however, were very nice. There was a large closet with mirrored doors, which contained extra pillows and a full-sized ironing board and iron. The bathroom was tiny; just enough room for a regular tub, sink and small counter, and the toilet (which was tucked under the counter). In fact, the room was so small, that the rack holding the bath towels was actually in the tub area, on the wall at the end of the tub. The tiny size of the bathroom was in odds to the good size of the bedroom, especially since there was a large space right when you come into the room (the same size as the bathroom actually, about 6'x6' square). The bathroom was very clean, and there was a blow dryer, lots of good quality towels, and toiletries from Crabtree & Evelyn. The vanity/counter was a white and black marble which was in good shape but dated. I only ate once at the hotel, the morning I was due to leave (and only because it was snowing and I didn't want to walk the 2 1/2 blocks to Starbucks). The breakfast was very good, but as in all hotels, a bit pricy ($10.75 for an eggs/bacon/potatos meal). With better weather, I wouldn't have splurged, but it was worth it not to have to deal with the slick sidewalks. Internet connection is very expensive here; $12.95 a day (inclusive of tax). The connection was very fast and stable, but I still find it annoying when expensive hotels also feel the need to charge exhorbitant rates for internet connection. The hotel I stayed in before this, the Renaissance, charged $9.95 a day plus tax, but that included unlimited local AND long distance phone calls as well. All in all, I got this hotel at a good bargain, especially for weekday nights in DC (I paid $80 a night). However, I think the rooms really could use some renovation with regard to the paint/wallpaper/carpeting. And if I had been paying full prize ($259 on their website) or even convention rates, I probably wouldn't have been as happy.
