Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington

I had unpleasant experience at the hotel. A big cockroach flew in front of my face and I saw another big one crawling on the floor. They immediately changed my room and applogized for it, but I can't believe that Marriott had the bugs which are usually found at dirty places. I'm still feeling bad.

I loved everything about this hotel! The staff is friendly and quick to meet all of our needs. We stayed three days without even seeing the outside of the hotel, because it is located above a shopping mall and a metro stop. You could not askk for a better location. From our window on the 17th floor we could see the pentagon about 3 blocks away and the Washington Monument down town. The concierge was more than willing to help us get directions and make suggestions where we should eat. You are located near everything. The room was impecibly clean and was cleaned each day of our stay. The beds were AWESOME! The soaps were even high quality Bath & Body Works and there was complimentary tea and coffee in the room. The room service is excellent, affordable and prompt. I suppose I should list at least one thing negative so you know I am not a marketer for the hotel. The pop machines only take credit cards and it costs $2 for a bottle of pop. But thats it for the negatives. I would recommend it to anyone and I will definately stay there again!

Marriott Crystal Gateway is a very luxurious hotel that will cater to most of your needs (if not all) while visiting the capitol or any other points close. While the internet access is somewhat mediocre and the parking is a bit overpriced, you will find yourself close to nearly everything DC and NOVA has to offer. The convenience of being located directly about shops and restaurants through the underground network of Crystal City passageways is a serious plus on its own. The restaurant is a wonderful way to lose yourself in top notch cuisine without and overly stuffy atmosphere. Most could easily walk away with meal and a few drinks for under $80. That's not bad for the area. If you'd like to be close to the capital without actually staying in DC, this is the place for you! TIP: During the summer months Marriott runs a great deal of specials for the weekend. Some include breakfasts,free meals for the kids or special discount bucks to be used for a stay at another time. Be sure to check out specials online or call the hotel direct.

I know the DC metro area very well and have stayed in every major area at a variety of hotels. The Crystal Gateway Marriott is my absolute favorite because of the service. I've stayed at Hiltons, Hyatt's, boutique hotels and other Marriott's in this area and none have had such consistently excellent service over the years than this hotel. The hotel is right over the metro (no going outside even) and you can get to the Crytal City mall (small shopping) or the Pentagon City mall (major, high end mall) or of course normal sightseeing by metro. If you drive the hotel is right off 395.

I stay in Marriott properties 7-14 days a year and this is the first time in a long time that I've been asked to pay for internet. Seeing as how we were only going to be there for a few hours we didn't pay the requested $9.95 per day for access but we were very frustrated that it didn't list the charge on the web site. Free internet access has become so common in so many hotels that it's very frustrating when you have to pay so much for a room in the DC area that they then ask for more money for internet access. It should be included. Also, we were very frustrated at being told that the business center was closed on Sunday. We had some things that we needed to print and we were frustrated that we had to go somewhere else to get that done. Next time, we'll stay at the nearby Holiday Inn and get more service at a less expensive nightly room rate.

First the negatives--The front desk staff is indifferent at best. A more accurate description would range from unfriendly to downright hostile. The internet access, which in lower quality hotels is complimentary, is priced at $10 per day, wireless access in the lobby runs $3 per 15 mins., and parking is $16 per day for a garage that is virtually empty. Another inconvenience is that the rooms do not have safes. Also, don't come here expecting good views of anything other than other hotels. The positives, however, outweigh the negatives. The rooms are beautifully decorated, the furnishings well-designed and comfortable, the bathrooms clean and beautiful, and the beds heavenly (the only problem with the beds is that the comforter is HUGE, and it gets very hot at night because you only have the sheet and the comforter, no blanket). The absolute best thing about this hotel is its location on the metro. It's about a four minute walk from the lobby to the train waiting area. This makes it very convenient for all sightseeing. It is on top of the shops at Crystal City, and almost the first shop you come to from the walkway from the lobby is a FULL drug store, with everything from cold medicine to cartons of Breyer's Ice Cream. The last store before you go into the metro area is a dunkin donuts, and there is a Starbucks in the lobby of the hotel, although it seems to close down in the afternoon. Next time, we will park our car at the airport in long term parking and ride over to the hotel, but this is our new home away from home when we're in DC. Traveler's Tip: You can take the yellow line to Chinatown and exit the station through the 7th and H Streets exit and you have innumerable restaurants right there with barely any walking. Also the $22 smart trip card is good for trips from the hotel to at least Chinatown on the yellow line and the Smithsonian on the blue line, even during rush hour, and you don't have to add money to the card.

This was the cleanest and friendliest hotel we have stayed in . I clean coporate offices , so I even ran my finger over the top of the pictures on the wall. Absolutely no dust. The bathroom was sparkling clean,and they left fresh bottles of shampoo etc. even though we still had half bottles. I asked for extra cream for coffee and it was there.I really like the fact that they have lots of pillows on the beds.The linens were clean and fresh.My husband and I plan to return for more sightseeing and we will definitely stay here. You don't need to go outside to shop, eat, or catch the Metro. WHAT A CONVENIENCE!!!! Within walking distance of the hotel are great resturants, ice cream shops, banks,post office etc. Starbucks right inside!! I definitely will tell all my friends and family to stay here.

This hotel is clean and the service is great. Beds are awesome! We have returned here for a total of 3 stays to tour Washington D.C. as a family. Plenty of restaurants are located close by. We park our car at the hotel for the weekend and never move it. The metro runs right under the hotel, and is the best way to travel around the area. Concierge is always a big help with any kind of questions.