Which Renaissance in DC area would you recommend?

For the nicest of all stay at Renaissance Mayflower Hotel. The M Street one is OK but I like the JW better

The Mayflower; spent Nov. 26 -30 there. This was my fifth stay in two + years. The hotel is still grand in my estimation, although it is beginning to show signs of wear, especially carpets and wall coverings.

Location is far superior to M Street.

Have not stayed at the Ren on 9th St. Have stayed at the other two.

Depends on where you want to go and what you want to do. The Mayflower is in a noisier part of town. I've never been in a room there that had a decent view of anything but another building very close by. The M Street location is in more of a neighborhood. M Street is closer to Georgetown. Both are close to the Mall. Mayflower is closer to the K Street law/lobbying firms, Capitol Hill, and the White House. M Street is closer to Rock Creek Park, the National Zoo, and Dupont Circle. If you are flying into National or Dulles, you can get into DC and get to the M Street hotel without hitting traffic by driving up Rock Creek Parkway. The Mayflower requires you ride through downtown traffic. The Mayflower is closer to the Metro station, but the M Street hotel isn't too far. M Street is usually much, much less expensive than the Mayflower.

People have their preferences. To me, the Mayflower is an old hotel that hasn't aged well. Long before it was a Ren, we used to stay there when I was a kid. (Early '70s, every Thanksgiving. Mom's family lived very close to there.) The hotel isn't as elegant as it was back then, but it's a far cry from the decaying property it was in the mid-'80s! The M Street property isn't my favorite Marriott property, but I used to live in that neighborhood and find it more comfortable than the busier parts of the city.

I plan to stay for 4 days during xmas. Just for us to see our daughter that lives in Rockville, MD. However I have $100 cert for Renaissance and want to use it for 2 night stay. I want to use BoGo cert for other two nights. So no JW or FS but Renaissance.

I strongly recommend the one called the "Renaissance Washington DC Hotel", which is on 9th St near Chinatown. It's close to everything, and is a truly excellent hotel from the condition of the property to the quality of the staff. Their restaurant is wonderful, and their CL is often open on weekends.

The Renaissance that DJ mentioned is running a promotional rate M11 on weekends and on holiday weekends that includes valet parking and 2500 extra points. I don't know if you would be able to use the coupon with the rate, but free valet parking is worth about $33/night if you plan on having a car. The room rate is only $112 around Christmas.

Have stayed at both the Mayflower and the 9th street Ren. Neither provide breakfast coupons. The Mayflower lounge is very nice. I would stay there again. Also, if you are staying over a weekend, try LPR (if available) and then use the LNF to reduce by about 25%.

The 9th Street hotel sounds very, very nice. Just one more thing, though...

The M Street hotel is right by Rock Creek Parkway, which will allow you smooth, non-traffic light sailing half way to Rockville!!

Of the three Renaissances (Mayflower, DC, and M), I far and away prefer the Mayflower. It has the friendliest staff, will upgrade you to a nice suite if available, and is near everything. Also, the provide free breakfast on weekends.

I've only been to the DC once. Getting an upgrade was like pulling teeth. The hotel is fine, but just OK.

The M was in a residential neighborhood with nothing going on after 10. Also, the rooms are tiny. My parents junior suite was smaller than the average hotel regular room.

I agree as to all you said about the Mayflower, except for one thing. The property no longer provides the comped weekend breakfast. A real shame.

So no Renaissance in DC provides weekend/holiday CL or breakfast coupon for plats?

I'd call the Mayflower to make sure they haven't flipped again, or as to what their holiday schedule is.

Renaissance M street does provide breakfast coupons for weekends for this Gold member when I was there over the summer.

My experience couldn't be more different. I'm a plat who stayed multiple times in a tiny, non-upgraded room and dealt with the most indifferent staff I've encountered at any property.

The 9th St property ALWAYS either has the lounge open on the weekend or provides free breakfast coupons (that are good either for the buffet or the same amount off a la carte ordering). Their staff is great, the rooms are modern and clean, and I've had upgrades all the way up to the Presidential Suite. Location depends on what you're going to see, but I find it more convenient to the places I usually visit than the Mayflower. But even if it was tucked far away, the hard and soft product at the 9th St Renaissance have been vastly superior in my experience.