jetsetter

Holiday Inn Rosslyn At Key Bridge
1900 N Fort Myer Drive
Arlington, VA 22209
Hotel Tel: (703) 807-2000
Hotel Fax: (703) 522-8864
(placeholder will insert the direct web site link)

I stayed at this hotel for 3 nights in February 2007 as a Royal Ambasssador Platinum Priority club member. The nightly rate was approximately $100 through a group booking.

The hotel is about a block away from the Rosslyn metro station which serves the blue and orange lines. You can take a blue line train directly from DCA to Rosslyn. You can also take the Metro Bus 5A to and from IAD to Rosslyn metro station for $3.00 which is a real bargain. A taxi from IAD would run $45 or so.

The check in agent was pleasant, and recognized that I was a Platinum member. Initially was given a room on the 12th floor, and asked if they had any suites. The agent typed and clicked away on the computer, and went in to the back office for a moment, but was unable to find a sweet. If I had pressed it, I think they may have been able to find a suite but I didn't really need one so I didn't ask anymore about it. They did give me a room on the 16th floor which is the executive level.

The 1 king bed room was standard for the most part. Though it did have a recliner and balcony. I had a friend staying on the 12th floor, and the recliner seemed a bit better on the 16th floor. But other than that, there was no appreciable difference with the executive level rooms.

Priority Club members (even base members) receive a voucher good for complimentary breakfast in the restaurant on the 17th floor. This was one of the highlights of the hotel, it was a bountiful buffett breakfast including eggs, sausage, bacon, biskits, etc. Surely an upgrade over a standard continental breakfast and the venue was a cut above the rest in terms of location and view.

This breakfast benefit is only provided during the week, and upon asking, I was issued a coupon to use on the weekend at the 1st floor cafe/cafeteria. I did not end up eating at this location, but some friends ate at the place and said it was basically a self service cafeteria place and they did not especially recommend it.

Again the main restaurant and bar is on the 17th floor. As a PC member you also receive one voucher for 20% off dinner at this restaurant. I had dinner and drinks and even with the discount the price was about $35 which I thought was a bit high for the portion of food I got. I was hungry afterwards and ordered pizza. For example, one of the appetizers "crab puffs" for $10.75 turned out to be 3-4 mini crabcakes and thats it. Also the bar had no draft beer only bottles. Also people should be aware that while smoking is banned in restaurants in DC itself, people can smoke in VA bars. I had my dinner in the bar and the service was very slow and not fitting with the prices charged. For instance, my bread was brought out last after the rest of my meal. In reading other reviews they were mixed, and people we spoke with were not impressed with the restaurant.

The hotel has free WIFI service, and it was terribly slow. I ran a speed test, and will insert the figures. The speed of the service was almost on par with dial up. One nice thing is that they have free local phone calls including calls to area code 202. However, the phone system was old, and there was static on the line.

In the voicemail system you can press * to access "guest services" and then there is a hidden option 5 to request a wake up call.

The shower water pressure was also abismal, and the water would sometimes turn off to a trickle and then regain a modest amount of pressure.

The room also had a refrigerator.

One other thing the hotel has a very simple lay out which was nice. No atriums, and you won't get lost, etc.

In conclusion..

Pros:
*The weekday breakfast in the restaurant on 17th floor;
*Close to metro;
*The room rate was good; and
*Overall the staff was friendly.

Cons (how could the hotel improve):
*Faster WIFI connection speed;
*Offer bottled water in the rooms;
*Offer free drink coupons especially if a suite upgrade is not available. Better recognition of elite PC guests;
*Adjust the menu portions and prices in the restaurant, and improve service delivery; and
*Improve the shower water pressure, and get rid of any water saving showers.

I would stay at this hotel again at the same rate level, but I would not pay much more. I would give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars. They could improve by fixing the items noted above. Hotel is as noted also very convenient to IAD and DCA.

cigar55

I have stayed at the HI Key Bridge many times (probably around 20). The pluses are as described: location, free Wi-Fi (which has always been fast for me, although I did have to call tech support once), free breakfast. The bar and restaurant also have a great view overlooking the Potomac and Georgetown. I have been upgraded to a suite 2 of the last 3 times I stayed (I am Platinum), but I was paying government rate (~$180).

On the downside, IMO, the mattresses are not extremely comfortable (they do not even compare to the ones in most CPs) and the hotel is rather unappealing to look at.

All in all, it's only OK. The Marriott down the street is nicer and has a very good bar, but is not exceptional by Marriott standards and is a longer walk to the Metro.

Even when I am meeting in Rosslyn, I prefer to stay at the CP National Airport.

cigar

darthbimmer

My wife and I stayed there a few months ago. For around $100/night it was a good deal. Big pluses were nearby Metro access and free parking -- important for us because we on a multi-city driving trip but wanted to visit spots downtown without parking hassles.

Note that this is NOT the place for people who want a luxuriant hotel stay. While our king room was spacious, the furniture and entire building decor were ordinary. The two balconies were interesting but ultimately not useful because they were too narrow. The hotel restaurant/lounge had limited hours -- no munchies mid-afternoon, and nothing late at night. Wireless Internet was close to useless as the signal was so weak in our room that my computer lost the connection every 5 or so minutes. For our needs, though, it was fine. We only wanted a comfortable place to "hang our hats" while visiting downtown DC attractions.

launcher

Note that parking is now $20/day at this location. They no longer offer the complimentary parking at Holiday Inn Rosslyn At Key Bridge.

fw10001

Thanks, I can confirm that the website mentions parking is $20/night now.

@launcher - the other reviews above yours are old. If you've stayed recently, how was your experience? I ask because most IHG hotels in the Natl Mall/Convention Center area are well above 40K points/night now, so I might just have to stay at this IHG to redeem anniversary reward nights. Thanks.

Digitalaviator

Hotel is dated, but has a convenient location less than 2 blocks from the Rosslyn Metro. 17th floor restaurant isn't anything special (though it does have a decent view of the Potomac and Georgetown), but it's a quick 5-10 minute hop over the Key Bridge to Georgetown on the free DC Circulator bus (stops next to the Metro station). Third floor/conference level has a limited-hours generic convenience store/coffee shop and an indoor pool (never used the pool).

Rooms are typical for the era (built in 1972, rooms have low ceilings, small bathrooms, and the decor suggests that it hasn't been renovated since the last reviews in this thread), but I've been upgraded here as a Gold on a paid weekend low-season stay booked as a standard king. Low-season weekend rates can usually be found in the $65-85 range, so it's a bargain considering the location.

Property is leaving IHG at the end of July 2020; owners announced a full tear-down and redevelopment less than a month after the Amazon HQ announcement in November 2018. No word on the brand for the new hotel, but it's going to have a 26- and 38-story tower, conference facilities, a 340-room 4-star hotel, and 490 apartments.

The CP Crystal City is another decent option - reasonable walking distance to the Crystal City Metro and a decent selection of restaurants on 23rd Street, and it's right next door to one of the entrances to the Crystal City Shops underground mall (which is also connected to the Metro station).

soitgoes

The hotel was imploded over the weekend: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/l...rning/2506892/
A landmark is gone!

ernestnywang

Sad. They used to give free full buffet breakfast to plat and spire members.