Evening arrival flight to IAD turned into post-midnight arrival flight with the various storm and routing delays. Just to make sure, I checked in via the web and received all of the confirming e-mails before I left LAX.

No suite upgrades available but was given "best in category room" for 1:30 AM - a two-bed room on the 6th floor. Room decor looked a little bit newer than when I stayed at this property about a year ago. Unfortunately, the non-smoking room smelled of residual smoker. Called down and asked for another room. Was offered an accessible 1 King room. Went to the newly renovated lobby, picked up the key and went back up the elevator (room 911). Key didn't work. Went back down, asked for and eventually received 2nd key as well as a manager to guide me back up and operate the key for me.

Room looked serviceable enough as a one night/6 hour stay. Tried to turn on LCD TV - multiple attempts to use remote and manual buttons weren't working. Was seriously thinking about either asking for another room or finding somewhere else to stay. Eventually determined that the TV was not plugged in after navigating two other devices plugged into next to the TV stand/structure. Decided to close the sliding bathroom door - and found a nice gouge on outer panel.

After getting not a great deal of sleep, went down for the breakfast buffet (included in my room rate). The lounge/restaurant has also been renovated. Don't recall the configuration of the previous restaurant's buffet area but this one has an island for toast, etc. and the heated/cooled ledge on the outer side. Scrambed eggs were completely solidified. Most of the cut fruit were relatively ripe. Service was serviceable.

Didn't have time to try out any other services or amenities. Facility was clearly supporting some sort of family/non-business event - multiple people walking around and in elevators in t-shirts and shorts. Also, if I recall, the elevators used to require inserting room key to operate - at this time the slot is non-operational and the key is not required.

Upshot: facility renovation appears to be basically complete. Clearly, hotel could be a bit more effective from an operational perspective.

If others have more details on better recent stays, please post.

David