We next stayed at the MODC. Located in SW near to the tidal basin and L'Enfant Plaza its location is a double edged sword. Extremely convenient to the monuments (the Jefferson is a 10-15 walk from the hotel), the Holocaust Museum, and the Mall the hotel is an urban resort. However, the area surrounding the hotel is dead after 5pm on weekdays and all weekend long. There are no alternative food choices on weekends nearby; if one does not want to eat at the hotel, there is no choice but to take a taxi and go elsewhere.

Room

Booked a City View room at the Virtuoso rate (equal to BAR) and included the following Virtuoso amenities: upgrade upon arrival if available; $100 F&B credit once per stay; daily buffet breakfast in Sou'Wester or continental through In Room dining; and late check-out if available. We were upgraded to a Water-view Executive Suite with balcony. Again due to full occupancy, was not able to see any other room type. The Executive suites are about 700 sq ft and have a nice layout. There is a powder room off the main entrance, a compact living room with sofa, arm chair, coffee table, and a 2 seater dining table. There is a center wall dividing the living room from the bedroom. This is where the LCDTV is for the LR and on the reverse side, the bedroom. On either side of this central wall is a door leading to the bedroom. The bedroom features a king bed, a work desk with a view towards the water, and the master bath with single vanity, separate WC, and a glassed in wet area featuring the tub and stand up shower. Off the living room is a nice sized furnished balcony.

Our water view was of a small marina and some highways -- certain of these rooms provide better views so if this is important it is best to have your TA make that request. Executive suites without balcony can connect to a double double room which is perfect for families. Of note, rooms on the lower floors on the north end of the building are adjacent to railroad tracks so noise may be an issue. Soundproofing is quite good overall but this is something to keep in mind. Decor is classical with many asian accents, notably the curtains. Bath amenities are Gilchrist and Soames. In room internet is $15 per day and is good for unlimited number of devices and the speed is quite good.

Dining

There are 3 dining venues at the hotel -- CityZen, Sou'Wester, and Empress Lounge. We were unable to try CityZen this time around but the Virtuoso credit can now be used there. The Bar offers a 3 course menu for $50 which is a great deal. Sou'Wester is the all day restaurant and Empress Lounge is the hotel's bar and all day lounge. Afternoon tea is buffet style and is very popular. The Lounge menu is compact but tasty, particularly the Thai curry. Food and Beverage is good overall but the service at both Sou'Wester and Empress Lounge was very poor. When they are busy there are not enough staff to provide adequate service levels. When they are quiet, the staff are not paying attention at all. No visible management presence either.

Service

There is a House car which can take you to Union Station or to Georgetown. It is available 8:00am to 6:45pm M-F and 10am to 5:45pm Sa, Su and holidays. Service is first come first served and drop off only, officially. When enquiring about the car, the Front Desk and doormen will tell you to go to the Concierge. The Concierge will tell you to check with the door staff. The door staff are pretty horrible. Only when we were departing did a doorman finally say something to us -- throughout the stay no doorman ever greeted us, open the door for us, or, offer any assistance at all. When we arrived we hauled our luggage into the hotel ourselves.

Gym

The fitness centre and pool are very nice.