Americana Hotel, Arlington

Like: Location, location, location, at low price. This hotel is short walk to DC Metro, excellent shopping, restaurants, and located near several hotels that would charge two to three times as much for a room. It is a "no frills" place, but clean and helpful staff. At the price I found nothing to dislike. However, if one is looking for luxury and a hotel with many services, this is not for you.

Once we found this place in the 90's, when in DC we have never gone anywhere else! We've probably stayed over 20+ times. It is clean, inexpensive, has a breakfast buffet, is very close to Metro, and the staff is friendly and helpful. If you drive your car, the parking is free and if someone comes to visit you, they will let that car stay for free too. Their shuttle service will take you to restaurants or to the airport if you don't want to walk or take other transportation. Finally, the price is incredible for the location and quality. You can even get it right now for $55 a night if you're willing to take your chances and just show up without a reservation. Or play it safer and for $77 a night, make a reservation and enjoy your stay.

This hotel is really a great bargain. For $69 a night, we got a queen size bed, a mini fridge, cable television, free parking, a clean room, and free breakfast along with friendly staff! Parts of the hotel were being renovated when we went and were looking like they were headed in a more contemporary direction. Everything was very clean though and well kept. The hotel is also 5 subway stops from the Smithsonian stop (about a 10 minute ride). The subway is 2 blocks from the hotel. There are also 4 shopping centers within 3 blocks of the hotel and many places to eat. The walk is easy and in a safe area. If you are not looking for an updated room, but for a bargain within a close distance to everything you must experience while in D.C., this is the hotel!

The Americana has the look and feel of a 1950's era hotel (which it probably actually is). The low price is almost unbelievable when you consider the good location, level of service, and cleanliness. I first stayed at this hotel a year ago while in DC on business, and I again stayed there this past week. I appreciated the free wireless internet access. And the orange juice, coffee, and bagels with cream cheese that I chose on the breakfast bar were just right for me to start my day. The place is less than a 10-minute walk to the trendy shops of Crystal Gateway or the interesting restaurants on 23rd street.

I apreciate your location, your greeting,I came several times and I always appreciated your hotel. I wish that there remain the same one and capacity to return there still often. Thank you, Anne from Switzerland.

I didn't mind the 70's decor, the funky old bathroom, thin pillows, worn matress, stained carpet. Even the cheezy lock that uses a standard key and could be easily busted was OK -- I didn't have anything of value in my room and was only there one night. But the pillow cases smeeled of perfume (from the previous guest? The maid?), the shower water appeared brown, the breakfast had absolutely nothing healthy (not a single non-sweetened cereal), and the staff was, at best, curt. It depends on how much saving a buck means to you. This hotel was not up to the standards of an econo-lodge, and I don't think I'll ever stay there again. I think I'd rather sleep in my car -- it's cleaner!

Best value in/around DC! Instead of paying $150-200/night for a place to stash your luggage and sleep, the rates at Americana are perfect. Unless you want to come to DC just to sit in a hotel room. The rooms are not fancy and the furniture is old (but comfortable) but overall it's a great hotel. The building is pretty cool too... it looks like it hasn't been renovated since about 1962 and it's still in good shape. Location is great... easy access to metro (or US 1, Rte 110, and 395 if you drive anywhere), Crystal City has a bunch of restaurants, close to National Airport (seriously, 25 minute walk if you're up for it), and easy access to GW Parkway running/cycling trail. Good coffee and breakfast, and free parking too (can't beat that!) I used to live in Crystal City and loved the location and convenience/proximity to DC. I will always come back to the Americana whenever I get to visit DC!

My wife described it as "Retro". We couldn't have been happier with our stay. We stayed 6 nights at a very affordable price and didn't find anything to complain about. It was cool, clean and the service was great. Close enough to walk to Metro or for dining. But if you are like me and don't feel like walking after walking in DC all day the shuttle service is great. They will take you to and from the Metro. They will take you to restaurants and will make suggestions, if you ask. Take all the time you want eating give them a call to pick you up and they were there within 10 minutes every time. Free continental breakfast is enough to get you going in the morning. The price is soooo reasonable compared to other lodging in the area, everyone is skeptical until they arrive and take a look for themselves. I had read earlier that pilots and flight attendants from Reagon Airport stay there and sure enough, I saw both. It is located just across the Potomac from DC and is a short Metro ride to DC. I don't normally write reviews but thought this place was such a bargain, I felt like I owed it to the owners to let others know about it.

I could not be happier with this hotel especially given the price and the helpfulness of the staff. While this hotel is not plush or glamorous, it is clean, orderly, affordable and has a free shuttle every 30 minutes between 6am--11pm. The shuttle will take you to the Metro station or other places in Crystal City. I stayed at the Americana Hotel because I was attending a conference but did not have an expense account to pay for a hotel room. I was delighted with the convenience and promptness of the shuttle that would take me to the Crystal City Hilton. For reference, the conference discount for the Hilton was $169 + tax and the regular price started at about $250 (it's not an exceedingly nice hotel, by the way). For $80 per night (plus $8.20 tax per day), I feel like I got quite a deal! There were a couple things I was not crazy about but, again, I think for the price makes up for it and then some. The wireless internet signal was poor or non-existent in my room. I think (and was politely told) it would have been fine in the common areas and always saw people happily sitting with their computers when I walked through those spaces. My room was humid and slightly musty but that was ameliorated by the heater/air conditioner in the room that I could control. Keeping the (very loud) bathroom fan on and the heater/AC kept air moving and dried it out. If you are looking for a simple and modest place to sleep, the Americana Hotel is ideal. If you are expecting anything more upscale than a very clean and dated looking room, you will probably be disappointed. I think it would be fair to compare the Americana Hotel to an immaculately clean hostel but one where you have a comfortable room to yourself and a lot more privacy. Bottom line: I have traveled all over the world and have stayed in a wide range of places, from high end hotels to an odd smelling cabin in Suriname. Given a wide range of experiences to which I can compare my stay at the Americana Hotel, I highly recommend the Americana Hotel based on the price, convenience and outstanding customer service from the flexible and pleasant staff.

This hotel is a very close walk to everything a person on foot would want. The metro is a short and safe walk. Cut through the Marriott to the Crystal City Shops and the metro is even closer. The shuttle to and from the airport was prompt and very clean. The television had many stations on those days that we had to rest our feet. The only disappointment I had with the hotel was that if you didn't get to the continental breakfast early the muffins and bagels would be gone and the fruit wasn't the freshest either. I wish they would have had cofee makers in the rooms also. The maid service was good and they were very friendly, as well as the front desk staff.