The Melrose Hotel Washington DC, Washington

I arrived in the early evening and in the middle of the night there was a pounding noise and loud shouts from some of the guests. I was not able to go back to sleep. The following day I was switched to a new room that was smaller than the one I had. I talked to the front desk manager and she was very abrupt, rude and nonapologetic. I would not stay there again. I have stayed in hotels in the Washington DC area many times and never experieced such problems.

Good location and restaurants are pretty close, and so is Trader Joes. I've stayed in a lot of hotels in the area and this is the worst one. The rooms are dark, very old, and smell musty. Pedistal sink in bathroom with no where to put your stuff, no vent in bathroom, hotel is too cold in the summer (you need a coat for the hallways and lobby), internet is $10/day, the doors have gaps at the bottom so it lets in noise from the hallway, and the worst part (in my opinion) is that the pillows are so old and hard that it's like sleeping on a brick. I asked for another pillow (after trying to sleep for several hours) and they gave me another one, but it was hardly better. Also if you use a wheelchair or stroller, don't book here. You have to use stairs to access the elevators (or you can use an anoying lift).

Do not listen negative reviews. I've stayed at Holiday Inns, Hyatts, Marriots, Hiltons, The Four Seasons and boutique hotels. This hotel ranked above most, save The Four Seasons- Defintiely an upgrade from most chains, the hotel had an understated elegance, the rooms were very generously sized for a city hotel, there were many elegant appointments in the room that many hotels don't bother with. The room decor was charming with incredibly comfortable beds and bedding (love the comforters instead of blankets and bedspreads). The staff to a person was the friendliest, most informed and most responsive I have dealt with in years. And the location - can't be beat. Stayed with my son while we were looking at schools and we could walk or take the metro to everything.

I've been in youth hostels with cleaner rooms and more functional facilities (like hot water). Oh, and they screwed with the bill on check-out to add insult to injury.

The Melrose has the feel of a small European hotel. The staff was attentive and helpful. I had extensive faxing and telephone calls to make during my visit, and the front office went out of their way to give me access to the technology I needed to complete my transaction. Housekeeping was more than prompt to correct a plugged toilet as well as a safe jammed by my child. Even though the ice machine was out of order on our floor (it wa a very hot weekend) staff offered to get ice from another floor. Its prime location next to GWU and Georgetown, as well as the Metro make The Melrose my top choice for affordable DC lodging.

This hotel has an excellent location, close to Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, and etc. However, it was not up to its 4-star rating. Dingy carpets, blown lightbulbs, no air conditioning (!!!), a half-hour of waiting for the rude valet to return my car, and no apologies offered. So, whether you'll like it or not depends on what's important to you....expect a convenient place to stay, not an exceptional hotel. And if you do go, learn from my hard lesson and call the front desk an hour in advance of when you want your car.

I was pretty impressed with the hotel, as far as service, decor, and room service. The valets were extremely knowledgeable, quick and friendly. However, on my last night they called to tell me that my govt credit card was declined. I told them my limit must not have been increased by my office and that I would call the credit card company. I did not connect this with the fact that I had my key deactivated. I called the credit card company and was told that the charges would be authorized. The hotel told me they were changing owners THAT night and would have to SEE if they could authorize in the morning when the manager arrived. I told them I HAD to check out at 530am to make my flight. They treated me like I was a criminal, when it was their fault they could not run a charge. When I got my statement they failed to charge me for a night and I had to call and get the run around to correct the error that was in their behalf.

As a DC resident with family who come to visit frequently, I highly reccommend this hotel. It is an elegant hotel in a central DC location, halfway between Foggy Bottom and Georgetown, right on Pennsylvania Avenue. This service is phenominal!

I had a very nice stay at the Melrose, the room was large and comfortable, and very quiet. The desk was actually away from the bed, giving extra room to move about and actually relax in the chairs. My room was an interior so street noise was nonexistant. The staff was excellent, in fact, when I told them that some material from the iron had dirtied my white shirt, they actually took the shirt to be cleaned and sent it back by FedEx (and it was clean too!). I would highly recommend this hotel.