I stayed here for a few nights for business. The check-in was ok - I note the clerk wasn't all that friendly but I talked to another clerk the next day and she was great - very friendly and courteous.

Positives: The room was very charming - the rooms were as depicted in the hotel's photos. The thermostat worked very well and was very quiet. The bathroom came with a shower/tub combo; it was roomy and equipped with higher-end products. The room also has flat screen tv, nice fluffy towels, robe, firm mattress and fairly firm down pillows, as well as nicer sheets. The hotel had two sets of elevators and I never had problems getting down to the lobby. Very friendly doormen and room service attendant who showed up promptly with my pre-ordered breakfast nearly every day (except the last day - a different attendant) on time. Also, the location is fantastic - only a block from the DuPont Circle metro station, a 24 hour CVS, local bars (Hotel Palomar has fantastic bar/restaurant and is just behind Fairfax), restaurants, and an easy walk to central DC areas.

Some room for improvement: I had asked for a quiet room and was placed on the third floor in a room that faced the building next door that was just a few feet away. I had to keep the curtains drawn all the time as people in the next building could see straight into my room. This wasn't a problem for me, as I was away most of the day and only used my room to sleep in. Also, you could hear the traffic noise (mainly when a bus went by) but it didn't really bother me and the area is so quiet anyway at night that noise was not a problem.

The room service was quite adequate for most of my stay (I only had breakfast ordered in so I can't comment on the quality of other food). The only problem was that on the last day, the maid had forgotten to leave the pre-order menu in the room, so I had to call for my breakfast and it took them an hour to get it to me, unlike the prior days. A minor annoyance and fortunately didn't interrupt my schedule but annoying nevertheless.

My wife and I stayed at the Fairfax in early November for our anniversary and had a great time. The hotel is in a great location. It felt safe and was close to the dupont circle metro station and some nice restaurants (including the one in the hotel).

The conceirge and staff were very helpful with great restaurant recommendations, tips, and a different set of pillows for my picky wife. We had drinks and food in the lounge downstairs, which was wonderful (although the server could have used a lesson on friendliness).

The room was a little smaller than I'd expected and faced an alley instead of the street, but it was comfortable, clean, and what we needed. I'd suggest if you were going to stay in the hotel for extended periods of time to upgrade from the basic room.

One thing I need to say (and this is applicable to all hotels) is: What's the deal with charging guests for wireless internet? This is nothing against this hotel, because it seems like all hotels in larger cities or above a certain price do it. You can get free wireless at cheap hotels or even at the McDonald's, but when you stay at a 5 star hotel you need to pay for it? It doesn't make sense to me.

Overall, for the price we paid (which was lower than most hotels in the city actually), this was a great stay and I would highly recommend.

I have been staying at the Fairfax for years. I consider it my home when I am in Washington. The property is aging but elegant. Accomodations are very comfortable, and food is excellent. The bar is cozy and inviting. But the best part of this hotel is the staff. The staff have been with them for years, some for decades, and they go out of their way to make one feel welcome and valued as a client. After several years away, when I pulled up in front of the hotel, the bellman said, "I thought you had a red car." He was correct. The last time I had stayed there I did indeed have a red car. I was amazed that he remembered.

Compared to other luxury hotels in DC, the price is reasonable as well.

The location of the property is excellent. It is a wonderful neighborhood for a walk, and the hotel is very close to the Philips Collection.

I stayed at the Fairfax for two nights. The staff was very friendly and helpful, first rate service. When my original room only had a shower, they happily moved me to another room with a bathtub. There was some sort of temperature governor on the faucet that was set too low, so a repairman was sent up to fix the problem within 5 minutes of my complaint.
The lounge bar was remarkable for several reasons. First, it is lovely and clubby with nice wi-fi. The lunch special included the best tomato soup I've ever had. Tea is served correctly, in a pot, with a cup and saucer, fitting the sort of British riding/sailing club mood. I was working so the waiter moved the table around so that I had enough room to spread out and work. Very attentive service.
The bar had very helpful and fun staff who took obvious pride in their work, refusing to use bottled lime juice for the best whiskey sour I've ever had--fresh lime only.
I didn't eat in the restaurant, the once the famous Jockey Club, but the fabulous grand marnier souffle can be enjoyed in the bar. The bartenders were kind enough to rush my souffle order in to make it before closing. The souffle is the best anywhere, and I'm told the same person has been in charge if these works of art for 30+ years. Ditto for the person assigned to the steak tartare. I didn't try the steak but it will be the first thing I try on my next visit. The folks making these dishes are a national treasure. The scene, mood and the style is all Mad Men, for real.