Let me start by saying I stay in motels for weeks at a time as I work on a contract basis in the D.C. area. Have tried most of the chains in every county in the metro area - and theres a HUGE difference from property to property - even within the same chain.

The BW Mt Vernon was the first place I stayed in the DC metro area when I moved last year. Needing to watch my budget, I realized it was a ways out but worth a try.

It wasn't great. I had more problems with the front desk than anything in the rooms ( never saw a bug or anything unclean in my rooms)so I came back to this place for a couple additional stays. It's WAY better than the others in that immediate area, though anyone living in that county (the wealthiest in America) will tell you its a BAD area - its very average, slightly lower middle class really at worst.

Having read some of the other reviews - I wonder why someone from the DC area would trek out there for a weekend getaway in the first place? Esp if you could afford Crystal City - stay closer in for sure. I also saw someone complain that they thought there was a restaurant onsite.

Went back to the BW website - its confusing but not totally misleading. If you click on the MORE INFO about this property - it states restaurant onsite/Nearby - the SLASH/NEARBY is true. Another place on their website refers to it as ADJACENT. TRUE, as I easily walked next door to McDonalds, a pizza place, and a Chinese takeaway - and dozens of other food places and supermarkets are in the two shopping centers across the street - so its not a remote place in that regard - but if you want food right in your lobby - this isnt the place.

I agree with the comments that the desk staff seemed either too harried or too unsure to give out much good info. This is sometimes a busy place - tour groups coming and going, large parties renting banquet rooms and kids running about - but once youre up in your room thats not a problem. It does make for difficult onsite parking at times. MGMT should work on bulking up staffing and parking if possible during such high peak periods.

Really its a typical two star kind of place - good if youre on a budget - or want to be out near Mt Vernon. ALSO - within a mile was a real treat -a Frank Lloyd Wright home you can tour and on the same grounds is the Colonial mansion of Geo Washington's kin, just up the road near the entrance to Ft Belvoir - nice out of the way sights to see. But clearly not right next to DC nor do they claim to be.

This has to be the worst hotel I have ever in my life stayed in! The rooms are so small, its dingy and dirty, and the noise will drive you crazy! The price was ok and included with your price were ROACHES. My boyfriend and I stayed I believe about 3 hours and then we left and went to a more expensive place in Crystal City, which in all reality is maybe 5 minutes from DC. If you are going to be traveling to DC to tour, I highly advise you to stay in Crystal City and spend a little more for a room. You will have better service, clean rooms, no ROACHES, and you will literally be like 5 minutes outside of DC rather than 30-40, If you were to stay at this Best Western! In the rooms, there is no nothing...just a bed, t.v. and I believe an iron! I WILL NEVER GO BACK, AND I RECOMMEND YOU NOT EVEN WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY!!! YUK

We planned our trip to DC months in advance. On the internet we read that this motel had a restaurant, bar/lounge and a price that was reasonable. What did we find? Zilch When questioning the desk attendant about the internet ad, she said it is up to the manager to update that info and if he doesn't, they just put a general description of the motel. That sounds reasonable doesn't it? The price was $20 more than advertised. This was the most expensive place we stayed in. Our other 2 nights were at wonderful Hampton Inns for less money and much nicer rooms! The doors to the rooms were freshly painted and still wet---no signs to tell us the paint was wet----once in the room, the smell of paint was obvious. It was difficult getting an arm full of luggage in a room without touching the door. Needless to say we got paint on our clothes. The bed was lumpy and uncomfortable. I was afraid to go down to the "basement" where the continental breakfast was. We skipped their free breakfast and found a Denny's down the street. We had planned to stay 2 nights but after about an hour there, we knew one night was plenty and checked out early the next morning. I'd never go back.

Arrived on a Sunday traveled down Hwy 1 towards hotel. The road was ruff at first, then we saw hotel. I was in fear we made a mistake, the area did not look good at first, old apts beside it that made you wonder where you were. We almost called on cell phone and canceled. Walked in there was a odor, like a wet smell, poss molding, damp etc. Front desk seemed to be nice. Room was okay, non smoking and you could tell non smoking. But we ended up okay the area is just older a few rough edges but the hotel filled up. DO not Ask for too much advise from front desk people, they know little about Metro, buses etc and I rode train what a waste 30.oo gone in one day that I could have a better use. Drive to DC park all day in a garage you come out better if you plan to stay all day. This hotel is okay if you do not mind driving to DC and to save money. The breakfast while there was fine. By Tuesday that smell was gone, we could not use excerise room for there were about 20 new mattress stored in there. I recommend this place for a one nighter if planning to see Mt. Vernon, maybe 2 nights. But for to be closer to DC go down Hwy 1 closer to DC in Alexandria and 395, 495 if you can afford a little more. Again this Bestweatern was not too bad, the bathroom good size, very clean I will say hotel room was clean but they needed new thermal blankets on bed poss at end of season??? I wish I had looked into the Bestwestern by the Potomac( could be wrong) for the view. poss cut the stay in DC in half at the 2 hotels???Again the front desk knwe little about some things that have to do with DC.