When you pull into the driveway/porte cochere, do not be surprised to see a sign that says “Hotel garage full”; that sign does not mean that there is no room for overnight hotel guests; just valet your car as you normally would. It took approximately 10 to 15 minutes to retrieve our car each time that we needed it. There is no self-parking option available, although there is some limited street parking if you watch the times and feed the meters as necessary. The hotel website says that there are nearby parking garages, although none were readily apparent to us on our drive to the hotel, and the garages that we found online before our visit seemed to charge about $30 per day anyway (as compared to $40 per day for the hotel valet).
There is a doorman and bellman present at this hotel, as well as a concierge. There is a sign for Hilton Hhonors check-in at the lobby desk; however, there did not appear to be a separate line. Although this hotel is large (500+ rooms) and was sold out on at least one of the nights we stayed, the bank of six elevators was always running and we never waited more than a minute for an elevator, and often we were the only people on it. (We are still shocked when we think about it! Other hotels could learn a lot from this elevator system!)
The executive lounge is rather small, and was extremely crowded on the mornings that we were there. A cold continental breakfast is provided, including juices, fruit (four kinds), hard-boiled eggs, cereal (many kinds), yogurt, breads, and pastries. There is one small TV and some newspapers and magazines (no computer). We did not need to provide our name or room number to gain entrance, although you must use your room key to access the floor as well as the club itself. (We were not placed on the executive floor, despite being Diamond members.) Supposedly, the lounge provides afternoon hors d' oeuvres and drinks (on the honor bar system) on Monday through Thursday, but we did not visit on those days so we cannot say for sure.
Our room was a nice size, with a king-size bed, easy chair, desk/chair, and large flat-screen TV (free HBO). There is no mini-bar, although they provide an ice bucket and glasses, and ice machines on every floor. The bathroom design was useful - the toilet and shower/bathtub combination were in their own separate room, and the sink area (a single sink) was also separated from the main room by a door (so it was like a room inside a room). There were not any extra towels provided, and one day we did not receive any hand towels, but a quick call to guest services remedied the problem. Soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion were present (the brand is Peter Thomas Roth), as well as a hairdryer, iron, and ironing board. No bathrobes or slippers were provided, which we expected from a full-service Hilton property. (There is no evening turndown service, either.) The closet contained an electronic safe.
Our only issue with our stay was that we awoke to no hot water on Saturday morning. When we went to bed on Friday night, the water pressure was low, as it was again on Saturday morning, only in the morning, there was no hot water. We called guest services, who acted as if we were the only room in the property with the problem. When we mentioned it at the front desk, they had no idea what the problem was or when it would be fixed. As it turns out, there was no hot water in the entire hotel, but astoundingly, no guests seemed to be complaining! (We expected to receive a follow-up telephone call or letter as an apology, but we did not.)
There is no fitness center proper, although the MINT health club/day spa provides complimentary access for Hilton Hhonors silver, gold, and diamond members ($15 for non-members). There are two computers and a printer in the lobby to print boarding passes. The North Gate Grill is the hotel restaurant, and the Statler Lounge is located in the lobby, along with a gift shop (with decent hours until about 10:00 pm and selling gift and souvenir items, snacks and drinks [but nothing alcoholic], and reading materials). There is free Wi-Fi in the lobby, which is complimentary throughout the hotel for gold and diamond members).
The location of the hotel is excellent - just two blocks from Lafayette Park (and through the park to the White House). Many restaurants and bars are within walking distance; the St. Regis Hotel is on the opposite corner (with Adour restaurant), as well as a PJ Clarke’s Bar & Grill and Starbucks another corner. The hotel is accessible to three different Metro Stations: Farragut North (Red Line), Farragut West (Blue & Orange Lines), and McPherson Square (Blue & Orange Lines). The Convention Center is less than one mile away.
We would consider this hotel again for our next stay in DC, although there are many other Hilton properties (Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Doubletree, Homewood Suites) nearby as well.
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