I stay at this hotel every time I travel to the DC area. The Metro (subway) is right next to it. The staff is wonderful, the rooms have aways been clean, it is not fancy but for the area and the fact that all we do is sleep there it is wonderfull. Parking is free which is also a plus. There is a movie theater across the street also Starbucks, Ruby Tuesday's and some other place to eat.. If you book with the Entertainment Book card it runs about 55.00 a night.
It is in a very safe area and I have stayed there for the last 6 years. It is also easy to get to.

We stayed here April 12 and 13, 2007 and really enjoyed our stay. If you read the previous review - that person stayed on a Sunday, and may not have realized that rates in Washington DC jump from Sunday - Thursday. We stayed on a Thursday and Friday - the Thursday rate being $165 and the Friday only $99. Saturday would have been just as cheap as Friday. If you check around, the rates in DC are now in the $300 and $400 range during the week. We had White House and Capitol Tours scheduled and I was about to give up finding an affordable room but remembered this location from several years ago. You'll find a clean room, excellent staff, and an excellent location next to the Metro. Because our tours were so early, we decided to take a cab into the city and the front desk was very helpful in getting us one. We also used their free shuttle into Alexandria - it used to run to the other Holiday Inn in the city but now it leaves you off at that location where the hotel now has another name. Very handy for dinner and to just walk around. Parking is free and safe at this hotel too so take that into consideration. Parking in Alexandria is difficult so take the shuttle. The second night we were tired, and decided to try Ted's Montana Grill across the street - and we were very pleasantly surprised! Excellent food and service. Nice looking place. Starbucks and a ice cream shop are next door, across the street too. We didn't use the pool this time but the last time was fine. We found our bathroom stocked with what we needed, and our room was in fine condition - nothing peeling or anything. We even found helpful service at the Metro stop when we were trying to figure out the fares. If your a tourist, go for the all day Metro pass after 9:30 in the morning - at $6.50 its a bargain. This location is excellent for visiting Mt. Vernon too - which has an new, impressive interpretive center. Your kids will love it. We'll most definitely stay here again. Believe me, you will not be disappointed.

With tax and all, we paid a little over $200 a night for our rooms, we found the hotel to be run down. The night before we had stayed at a Hampton Inn for half the price and it was much better. This hotel has peeling wallpaper, no complimentary shampoo in the room, peeling paint on the windows, outdated furniture, The restaurant was very slow and they were out of several things we ordered off the menu. On the plus side the beds were comfortable and the staff was friendly.

The close proximity to the Metro Station is the biggest selling point for this property. Also, the Staff was very friendly and helpful. The room was clean but it was a bit loud because of the Traffic from the highway and also, the annoying heating unit.

Overall, It was worth the price we paid and would probably stay there again because it was inexpensive and convenient. It was not close to downtown Alexandria, if that is what you are looking for. My husband and I had our car so it was easy enough to get down there but if you take the Metro over to King street, you are still about 15 minutes on foot to where the cool shops and restaurants are. If you intend on staying at the hotel to visit Washington DC, leave at least one afternoon to spend in Old Alexandria... it is quite charming.

Oh, one negative point to make about this hotel... They offer a seafood buffet on certain nights... We did not eat at the buffet but we could smell the fish from our room! The lobby, the elevator, everything stunk of seafood. Not sure if this is a common occurence but it was not enjoyable.