We stayed at an Embassy Suites in Washington, DC, recently, and had a wonderful time. Getting there was easy – we just crossed the Potomac!
Walking into the open-air atrium of the lobby, we were greeted immediately, and ushered to the front desk where I was able to check in in a matter of minutes.
Our room was awesome. A corner suite, it had huge windows, allowing lots of light in to the spacious living area, where there was a dining/work table, a sitting area with comfy chairs and a sofa that pulls out to a bed, a TV, and a mini-kitchen with a fridge, sink, coffeemaker, and microwave. The separate bedroom had a big king-size bed and another TV. I knew our suite would be big, but this was much more spacious than I expected.
As for amenities, we checked out the indoor pool right away! There’s a hot tub, too. I loved that there were plenty of clean towels and lots of places to sit. There’s also a complimentary 24-hour fitness center jam-packed with exercise machines and weights. For business travelers, there’s a 24-hour BusinessLink Business Center. If you decide to leave the computer at home, however, there are several internet kiosks available.
The complimentary nightly Manager’s Reception is super popular! There was a line to grab snacks – chips and salsa, pretzels, that kind of thing… – and we could walk right up to the bar and request a cocktail. It was a nice way to start the evening, or from the looks of all the weary tourists around us, a great way to unwind after a busy day.
After a GREAT nights’ sleep, we headed downstairs for our complimentary breakfast. There were tons of options – eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, cereals, yogurt, juices, bagels, toast, an oatmeal bar, and cooked-to-order omelets. There was a bit of a line for the omelets, and my kids were hungry after all that swimming the night before, so we just did the scrambled eggs, but everything we tasted was delicious and fresh.
Sadly, check out was at noon. This is a little later than most hotel’s 11am policy, but we didn’t want to leave!
For lunch, we decided to stay on property and eat at Finn & Porter Restaurant. The food was yummy, the service fast, plus the kids ate free. It was a great way to end our stay. We practically had the restaurant to ourselves, as I’m assuming everyone else was off exploring Washington, DC.
As you can see, we had a lovely stay at Embassy Suites! It’s all in the details… such as the weather report posted daily in the elevator. All the goodies in the bathroom, including mouthwash and a sewing kit. The comfy bed linens. An alarm clock with iPod dock. The rounded shower rod in the bathroom, for a little extra elbow room. The detailed invoice slipped under the door in the morning with simple instructions on how to check out via the TV. And so much more. All the staff we encountered during our stay – from those at the front desk, to the valet, housekeepers, and waitress at the restaurant – were all super nice and welcoming.
The only drawback to staying here that I can think of, honestly, is that no pets are allowed. Oh, and the Internet access fee. If I have to choose between two hotels at similar prices, I’ll likely go with the one that offers free Internet in the rooms. That said, I’d definitely stay here again and recommend it to others. My husband and I had a relaxing stay, slept well, and the girls had a blast. What more can you ask for?
If you plan on visiting the DC area in the future, definitely consider staying at Embassy Suites Washington D.C. – Convention Center. It’s less than two blocks from the convention center and just seven blocks from the National Mall, where you can find all the museums and national monuments that DC is known for. If you want to go somewhere a little farther, the nearest Metro station is 3 blocks away.
For more information, please visit the Embassy Suites website and follow the brand on Twitter @EmbassySuites. Also, be sure to enter the “Get More Vacation” contest on Embassy Suites Facebook page for a chance to win a week-long family vacation!
Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in an Ambassador Program by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Embassy Suites Hotels and received a one-night complimentary stay at an Embassy Suites Hotel to facilitate my reviews and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Sounds like you had a great stay at a great establishment, that takes care of their guests. The fact that it’s also close to the sights is just icing on the cake.