Originally Posted by
Coffeemadman
When you do stay be sure to update us! I agree there isn’t much online regarding this hotel, and I’ve a booking here later this year so any kind of review would be great. Enjoy 😊
Originally Posted by
platbrownguy
I'd be curious to hear your impression of the location if you haven't stayed within a couple blocks of there before. The only reason I'd stay here would be to be in walking distance of RPM (ha). But mostly I'm curious how the area is doing in terms of walkability, life, apparent safety, and so forth. I get to DC a bunch but haven't been closer than, say, 3 blocks southwest of this property in a few years, other than to pop into RPM.
Here currently on a 2 night stay, and mostly having a good experience.
As detailed above, early check in was arranged a head of time. Flight delay meant I arrived around Noon. Room was ready, and was def put in a "Basic" room, so pics should be entry level expectations. With the early check in request, can't fault them for room selection, though bummer to have view of rooftop units and noisy street corner on 5th floor. Be curious to see other room types. Bag with 2 small waters and a packaged cookie given at check in as well. Staff was very friendly.
Room feels "new", but the furnishings feel on the very cheap side. As an example, the desk unit just sits on top of the side leg and the side table thing. (You can literally just lift off the desk top if you pull up on it). It is very unstable and it literally shimmies when working at it. Maybe it wasn't assembled / installed correctly, but all the furnishings feel a bit like Ikea pieces put together in a hurry or something.
Very happy they have do a dedicated desk area ,though wish they had a couple more power outlets there. (2 power, one used by desk lamp. 2 USB). They also have the open clothes rack setup instead of an enclosed closet. Mini fridge in the same unit, along with a safe in one of the 2 drawers. Coffee service on a heavy tray on a shelf as well, but no power outlets there. So ended up lugging the setup to the bathroom each morning. Cafe Divino brand coffee, which I haven't seen before - tasted fine.
Bed is comfortable. 2 power outlets and 2 USB on each side of the bed, which is great. HVAC worked well. Small hinge windows are able to be opened for fresh air, which was also great. Housekeeping stopped by after the first night offering service, which was nice. Just asked them to refresh the towel supply, but seems they would have done the whole room if I wasn't there. Bathroom setup was fine. Spacious shower and plenty of countertop space.
They have installed a touchless ice machine / water dispenser at the elevator area, assume on every floor. Very cool idea, as it is much quieter then the bin style, and allows easy fill up of water bottles on the way out.
I like the area here a lot. Safeway grocery store, with Starbucks unit inside, just across the street. CVS around the block. Varied selection of restaurants all right in the area, from Chipotle and similar to more upscale quick-service burgers, etc. As noted, RPM is just the next block over if so inclined...
10 minute or so walk to Blue Line and 5 minute or so to Red Line. Daytime the area feels very safe, active. Walked from Red Line Chinatown to hotel around 11pm on Friday night and seemed fine. The too be expected mix of young groups out bar-hopping and other various denizens of the night, but wasn't bothered a bit. (Note- larger Male, so usually feel pretty safe walking about. YMMV).
Unusual experience on Sunday morning when I went down to check out breakfast. Apparently they did not have some staff show up, so breakfast wasn't available. I popped out to nearby bakery instead. (A Baked Joint - OK, but pricey for what you get, even for this area). When I returned about an hour later, they were getting breakfast setup finally.
Well, that is more of a review than I would typically give, but wanted to get some details out since there wasn't really anything yet. Let me know if I left anything out, or you have specific questions. Bunch of pics: