Comfort Inn and Suites Airport Dulles-Gateway, Sterling

Super Bowl Sunday, many of us planned to watch the game in our rooms as we are from out of town and many without a car. The satellite went bonkers, Fox station went blank (most of the time is is wavy) and we missed the Super Bowl! They had a lobby full of angry guests. There are many new hotels in the area one guy was quick to remind them, and he tried to check out right after checking in and finding the TV didn't work, the clerk wouldn't let him, already charged his card, etc. This isn't an isolated incident. Me and my co workers have been complaining since we checked in a month ago and that is the irony. Too few a choices of TV channels, and most you cannot make out for the wavy lines. Nothing worse than being from out of town and not being able to watch TV in your room. One of life's little luxuries when you are away from home and they cannot even pick up the phone and call their cable provider. Many of the staff cannot deal with any other issues concerning billing. If you check in for a number of nights (me it was 16), they will charge your card for all of them at once upon check in. If you check out early, you may have a fight you your hands, especially during the evenings and weekends, trying to get them to credit back your card. Much of the staff speaks very broken English or none. Everyone is cherry and friendly, just not well trained. I guess they work cheap and that is all it is about nowdays. Service doesn't matter. Don't bother asking housekeeping for decaf, you have to use sign language. Rooms are well appointed but cramped unless you splurge for the few big suites. Wireless internet is useless. Cabled internet works ok. Rooms are relatively cheap to the area, guess that is why some tolerate bad service. Right now the TV is out again. I don't think I will be back.

I stayed here three times. The third time, we made a shuttle reservation for my significant other, who had to catch a flight. Although she arrived in the lobby early for the reservation, she was told that the shuttle driver had decied to leave early (even though her name was on the list for that particular shuttle time). She missed her flight and, since it was Dec. 23, she couldn't reschedule until after Christmas. The manager sort-of apologized, but that was it. Then, when my credit card bill arrived, I saw that, on my previous stay, I'd been charged for an extra night. I called to question the charge, then called again the next day and spoke with the manager. He acted as though it was my fault (it was not), and said that he couldn't do anything until he talked to whoever was on the desk when I checked out. He told me he'd call me. A week later, I called again - he said that he still hadn't been able to talk to the person, but would call back when he did. I never received a call, and had to go through my credit card company ...

This hotel is located with easy access. It is close to the airport with regular shuttle runs. The Deluxe Breakfast was very good and started early (5:30) for the early travelers. The room was clean and well furnished. It's the first hotel I have seen with a window bench seat. I was able to get a good night's sleep, the bed and bedding were very comfortable. If you are a family of 4 traveling, this would be a good place to stop. The room might seem a little small, but your not looking for a place to live. The fittness room is up to date and accessable 24hrs. The staff is responsive to your needs. I found this hotel the cheapest for the area but worth it.

Rooms are too small. Breakfast is too light. Even though is so convenient to Dulles Airport, we could have gotten better value at the other hotels nearby.