Guess I'll be the first to post a review.
Decided to do a last minute trip to DC prior to the kids going back to school.
Had a really good rate at DC Grand from Thursday-Sunday but wanted to get a jump on the week. Decided to stay Wednesday at Summerfield Suites and play it by ear for the Thursday. Actually we stayed here for the first 2 nights and moved to Grand (big mistake).
First thing about the location. Hope you have a GPS 'cause the hotel is on a side street that isn't really marked. Called the location prior to get directions and couldn't really understand them -- only exit off highway and not much else. Once we actually found the place was very pleased.
It's not in the same office cluster as the other chains nearby. It's a bit off the beaten path. You definitely need a car but comp shuttle in 5 mile radius is offered up till 8ishPM.
We checked in at 6:30PM.. surprised we didn't hit any traffic on beltway coming from CT. Evening offerings were going on. It was the cookout Wednesday theme. Didn't realize that there was soft drinks for kids on tap as well as beer and wine. Check in was quick. Had one bedroom king room.
Room was clean, up to date with a nice size plazma tv. It wasn't terribly spacious but adaquate (traveling w/2 kids). Unfortunately in the summer the location is very noisy (crickets or such) and even with windows etc shut could hear them inside. After a while it wasn't an issue w/ a/c running and tv. At night I guess it turned into a filter since we didn't have any problems sleeping either in living room or bedroom. In the AM didn't hear any outside traffic and nearly overslept for the breakfast. Unf. we got there exactly at 9:20AM and they were clearing things out. Was able to grab some eggs to take back to sleeping son. There were the usual assortment of cereals, yogurts scrambled eggs and one breakfast meat. It wasn't very busy then but I guess it was 'cause we were late. Next day they had eggs and cheese blintzas as well as bacon (very crispy and not terribly fatty) in additions to muffins, breads and topings. Got there around 8:30 and by 9AM the rush came in. Seemed to be a few extended families since the accomodations suited them. Items were replenished quickly though the staff at times had a hard time keeping up with crowd for plates.
We had a few problems in room but when addressed by front desk (at around 10PM at night) were handled quickly and didn't need additional reminders.
Decided to stay another night and postpone moving into DC. Since DH and I have GP accounts decided to have one night on each account to maximize points (m/c bonus, G1 and Diamond) and was told "no problem". When we finally checked out there was a bit of a problem. I had booked the second night on the internet and it seemed that they merged the 2 nights onto on folio. Had it fixed though it took a bit longer than I had hoped.
There was defintely a mix of guests at this location, weekly regulars who commute home on weekend, large families and some transient. Was surprised to see that the pool actually had a lifeguard on duty all the time. The exercise room had a nice assortment of equipment and was accessible at all hours.
All in all we will definitely return to this location if we plan to return to D.C. and especially with their cheap weekend rates would make an ideal MR for FFN hopping with weekend rates going for $68 pp. with breakfast included, no charges for parking or internet and the comp shuttle to Metro station. Also there's a supermarket less than a 5 minute leisurely stroll if you're staying longer (full stove/oven, fridge) to make things quite comfortable.
Carolyn