I got this hotel recently for business for the week; government rates $201 per night. I love the location right near the Potamic and Old Town Alexandrer, VA. That is the reason I chose it for the historical area which is awesome. Small Bistro's and cafe's on corners, and places to wander for hours. Just a short 8 blocks to King St., great restaurants and once you step away from the tourist area and enter the old neighborhoods, your taken back into history. The hotel treats you well, nice clean rooms, some small flaws like dryer placed in closet, have to remove it, coffee machine below TV stand, have to move it to bathroom to plug in, and blower noisy in bathroom. But, I can deal with that for the awesome views and airplanes flying down the Potamic to land nearby. Get the 11th floor, view can't be beat.

The hotel was under construction, which meant that we were awoke on a SATURDAY by the sounds of jackhammers. The hotel had given us a notice saying that Monday through Friday the hotel would have construction, but they never mentioned anything about Saturday. On top of the ever present construction, I went to get soda for my husband and myself and the room where the soda machine was supposed to be, had black markings all over the floor with trash and no soda machine. I was told I had to go downstairs if I wanted a soda. SO, any time we wanted something cold to drink, we had to go from the 8th floor (where our room was) to the lobby. That was a real pain. The wallpaper was torn around the top of the walls in the hallway, and the entrance was covered over with construction coverings. The staff were, for the most part, helpful in getting around the town, but I was unimpressed with the way the hotel looked. Also, the toilet did not flush properly, which was a big pain. The water was very cool for the first part of your shower and then got warmer as it went on.

Don't get spooked by the bad reviews. I booked this on priceline for $87.00 and it was fine, though you could probably get it for even less. I travel extensively and I'm really picky & was concerned after reading some of the reviews. Ignore them. Get a high floor for nice city and river views and upgraded beds. There's construction onsite and it's loud during the day, but temporary. THere's a free shuttle to Olde Town and the staff at the front desk is very friendly and helpful. The hotel is going through lots of renovation, so 08 will be much better.

The usual story when a hotel is being renovated. That doesn't stop them from continuing to rent rooms. In addition to noise and half the parking lot being closed and a snow-like substance filling the air in the entrance and lobby (lung damage?) there were problems not associated with renovation. The bed-side phone didn't work in the room, lights were burnt out, carpet was old, ripped and stained. It was listed as a suite but there was no refrigerator, the desk chair was broken -- and they charged $255 a night for this!!