The hotel has recently been acquired by Crowne Plaza from SAS Radisson. It is tired, dirty and shabby and has a general air of depression and decay. It seemed that the staff were too few, undertrained and far from motivated - understandable I guess if the managers have been uncertain about their future during change of ownership.
In the room everything is old fashioned and tatty. The air conditioning is a huge machine in the corner that sounds like you have a small jet plane in the room with you if you start it up. The desk chair was broken and several lamps did not work.
I am sure that Crowne Plaza eventually will remodel the place and sort it out but until then avoid!

This hotel is currently undergoing a brand change (Raddison to Crowne Plaza). Despite the renovation, the hotel was quiet and clean. Our rooms had great views of the river and we only paid $50 on priceline. The area surrounding the hotel is safe; however, on one side of the street are the projects surrounded by $500,000 houses. . .for this reason the area is very safe as there many police around. The area is very quaint, nice shops and restaurants within walking distance. The hotel runs a free shuttle to the shopping area if you can not walk (about a mile each way). The beds were comfortable, the showers were clean, and the hotel staff was very knowledgable. Clemens (the front desk staff member) was very knowledgable about the area and willing to help us with all of our questions. The hotel staff is a great asset to the hotel. They were able to direct us to the best ice cream, the easist way to to the metro, and many other tourist questions. I would recommend this hotel to any traveler. It is a few minutes from the blue/yellow metro lines making it easy to get to downtown D.C. ALSO, ask for discounted parking rates. . .if you don't ask, you don't know what you may receive.

I should say that I didn't stay here but met friends who did for breakfast in the hotel's restaurant. The coordinator of the group had contacted the hotel and informed that we would have a large group of 30 and told them the time just to make sure they would be prepared. They most certainly weren't. The buffet was nearly empty when we arrived and when asked about it they took at least 20 min to get any more food out even food that doesn't require preparation such as pastries. Mind you, they were told when we would be there. The restaurant was not busy at all only about three or four other parties. Our waiter was rarely around and when we waited several minutes for the cashier we went to the front desk to ask what the problem was. I calmly explained my disappointment and the man at the front desk told me he didn't like MY attitude (no, I never raised my voice or used any personal slurs) This was particularly annoying becuase one of our group whi did stay at the hotel had to ask to have their room changed twice. First they were taken to a room that had not been cleaned and had soiled sheets! The second room was a smoking room when a nonsmoking room was requested. When my friends asked to have the key brought up rather than making a second trip down to the front desk to exchange keys the man at the front desk used the same line; he said he didn't like their attitude. The staff here doesn't seem to understand the concept of customer service. I attend a lot of seminars in these sort of hotels and I will admit that the staff in most don't seem to find their jobs fulfilling but in this place they were down right surly.

I had read some poor reviews on TA prior to booking my trip; however I had hoped that maybe they had worked the bugs out of their transition from an old hotel to a Crowne Plaza... they havent. Rate for the room was $230 which seems far to expensive for the quality. Chief complaints... loud and old AC unit in the wall similar to ones you'd see in "motel" so much so I had to wear earplugs! My non smoking room was VERY musty (this was the worst part ..the kind of smell that is still on your clothes when you get home. It was really yucky). Old, stained, burned carpet. They had partially replaced the bathroom fixtures but left old grout and tiles. the bed wasnt the new comfort beds used in many of the Crowne Plaza hotels... just simple motel style bedspread and mattress. The airflow throughout the whole hotel is pretty bad. As for the good stuff... not too far from King Street entertainment, the airport shuttle was prompt and easy (to DCA) and the morning room service was delivered on time. Service was polite and professional at the front desk and associated with the shuttle service/bell service. All in all, I expect better quality from a Crowne Plaza - they shouldve renovated completely before reopening - seems like doing it "half way" is damaging to their brand.