Residence Inn By Marriott Arlington At Rosslyn

Or group of bicyclists and non bicyclists had 5 rooms at this Residence Inn and we were not disappointed. The hotel staff was very accomodating in working with us to overcome the only minor hitch in our stay. The rooms were well furnished, large and very comfortable. The breakfast served was exceptional with enough variety, hot and cold food for everyone's preference. The location cannot be beat whether one chooses to take the Metro (2 blocks) or bike trails (3 blocks). When we chose not to eat in DC there were enough choices within walking distance to appease everyone. Pricing varies and you can occassionally pick up a true bargin. Otherwise prices are comparable to others in the Arlington area and less than in DC. We definitely will return.

We stayed at the Residence Inn for a long weekend. We were quite pleased with the hotel. It is not a flashy hotel, but is very clean and was more than adequate for our stay.

Positives::

Affordable weekend rate

Great breakfast buffet: eggs, biscuits 'n gravy, sausage patties, muffins, cereal...etc.

Convenient location: Metro stop very close, several attractions are close

Room were spacious and clean

Convenient parking below the building

Late night cookies were outstanding

Negatives:

Area not very lively on weekends....basically a business district

Not any fancy amenities

$10 per day parking (may be standard for the area??)

Overall, we were very happy with our stay

We arrived on Thursday night, Dec 1 and checked out on Monday, Dec 5, 2005. We had a great AAA/CAA rate of $104 per night for a one bedroom suite which we booked at the Marriott site. Parking in the garage underneath the hotel was extra at $10/day. The nice thing about booking directly at Marriott instead of one of the famous online sites (travelocity, orbitz, expedia etc.) is that they don't charge your credit card up front and that you can cancel up to 24 hours before the arrival date. Marriott also guarantees the best rate, which I found to be true by checking the 3rd party sites.

The room was very clean and the kitchen well equipped. Since we traveled with our toddler son, we requested a portable crib, which is available free of charge (Graco Pack & Play), but which they don't want to confirm with your reservation. This is irritating because you are not sure whether you should go to the trouble of bringing your own crib. Eventually, after a couple of phone calls to the desk, I had enough confidence to rely on the availability of a hotel crib. I found the suite a bit smaller than I had hoped it would be. There was definitely no room in the bedroom for the crib (and it is quite a small crib), so we put it in front of the TV in the living area. Consequently, we had to fold it up every morning, just so we would have enough space to move around.

The hot breakfast was more than adequate. They offer scrambled eggs, sausage patties, potatoes, biscuits and gravy every morning (no bacon though). You can also get cold cereals, yogurt, fruit salad and the usual assortment of bread and bagels as well as juice/tea/coffee. In addition, you can make your own waffles. All in all, a very satisfactory breakfast considering it is included in the price of the room. The staff was good at replenishing everything quickly and at keeping the tables clean. They also have high chairs for small kids. I am, however, not sure what would happen if the hotel were full and everybody tried to have breakfast at once, since there aren't that many tables and the food is laid out in quite a small area.

The free cookies at the reception desk were great and we helped ourselves to them often.

I made use of the single computer they have to go online and check my mail. I often had to wait my turn though. It would be great if they could put in at least one more PC.

I am often annoyed (and kept awake) by noisy air circulation systems at hotels and scrutinize these reviews for relevant comments. My verdict on the noise level from the heating system at this hotel is "moderate". Not whisper quiet, but not very loud either.

We did not have much luck getting good directions from staff at the desk because their proficiency in English was not very good. The roads immediately around the hotel were quite confusing when we first arrived by car from the airport, so I would advise everybody to make sure that they get good directions ahead of arriving. The Metro is within convenient walking distance. Many of the closest restaurants (towards the Metro) serve the Rosslyn office towers and are therefore closed on weekends and after hours. However, if you walk/drive west up Wilson Boulevard, you will soon encounter several restaurants. About 1.5-2km (approx 1 mile) from the hotel, you will find many shops and restaurants that together comprise a lively entertainment district between the twin roads of Wilson (one way west) and Clarendon (one way east).

All in all, great value for a short stay!

We stayed at the Residence Inn Rosslyn over the weekend. It was great. The rooms are comfortable and clean. The staff was excepitonell friendly and helpful. The area around the hotel is tidy but boring. The subway station is a ten minute walk away, ten minutes by tube and you're in the heart of D.C. Minuses: the hotel is not easy to find and the breakfast is lousy and the breakfast room is overcrowded. But all told, at least on weekends you'll get a real good value here particularly when you're with a group of three or four.

Our studio unit was very very clean, exceptionally large, very helpful front reception service. Location was also very good, close to Metro (3 blocks), stores, shops, restaurants. We were offered hot breakfast and some evening buffets (3 days a week). Would definitely stay there again. Good value with our senior discount. Parking garage was extra $10 per nite.

Good location. Lots of restaurants within walking distance.

Nice service.

Breakfast buffet is good.

It would be better if they have swimming pool and whirlpool.

It was a little confusing to find the place according to map quest.

We stayed for a long weekend while touring downtown DC. We flew into Dulles Airport and hopped on the Metro Bus (3$) which delivered us to the Rosslyn Metro Stop. The hotel is a couple of blocks walking from the Metro Stop, but it seemed like a really short walk. The hotel itself was clean and the free breakfast really starts a day off right. There is a grocery store close by (even closer than the Metro) and you can actually do your own cooking in the full kitchen of your room, if you want. We would definitely stay there again.

Even though the weather was horrific, we were lucky to have the Residence Inn to come home to each evening. The staff was great especially the morning desk receptionist who was always happy and totally accomodating. The cost of the room was high since we were there midweek, but that is normal for DC. This place would be an absolute steal if you could get the weeekend rates. One word of caution, you must like to walk if you stay here. Metro is only 2 blocks and Georgetown a 20 minute walk over the Key Bridge. Nice morning breakfast and evening treats. Rooms clean and quiet which was important since we were ther during Easter BReak and there were noisy Middle schoolers all over the city. Excellent shopping just a metro ride away at Pentagon City and of course in Georgetown. Be careful about taxi service to hotel. We were totally ripped off an arrival as it cost $30 for taxi from airport. The wonderful morning receptionist got us a private towncar for $15 for our airport return!!!

I stayed for nearly a month, but mostly because of necessity. The hotel was nice because of convenience and the free food several days a week.

However, the AC/Heating unit was hard to regulate, the rooms often had a greasy or tobacco smell (my room was designated as non-smoking), and the walls were fairly thin, so it was easy to hear one's neighbors.

Overall, I am not sure Ill be returning here again.

Helpful, friendly, conscientious staff made this a pleasant place to return to each night. Only two blocks to Metro, restaurants and grocery store.