Would only stay here again as a hostage
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 09/06/09
I've been staying here since around 1999. It used to be something, not any more. From the outside, it's looks nice. And truth be told, it is better than any nearest competitor, which isn't saying much at all. It was a nice place in 1999, no longer true. Somewhere around 2001/2002, it started going down hill. Money is not reinvested into basic up-keep and the food is only mediocre at best.
This time around, I was with my family, and they wanted to give me grief about getting a roll-away for the night. Sorry, checking in at 10 p.m., the customer is always right. I was scheduled for a 10 night stay, but left the next day on account of the front desk staff that night.
The rooms are old and they show their age. Wallpaper pealing, bathrooms a mess, and don't even hope for a fridge or a microwave (that's how they get you to eat in their restaurants. You can get one for a pri$e, which is their schtik, they'll nickel and dime you to death.
They have their amenities open to the community, so that means water aerobics at the pool (which seem never-ending) and fitness center are available to the community, so you have to compete with the "members" for space as well.
The "elegant" dining may be if the staff wasn't such a disappointment coupled with inflated prices--inexperienced staff and unattentive (didn't understand what "gluten free"meant) ...from what touts itself as higher-end. Hardly. Never mind there is no value in much of anything from their restaurant. You'd be better off across the street with hotdogs from the 7-11. You could consider eating at the bar, but kids aren't allowed past 7 or so, but on a Weds all the locals pack the place for Karaoke, so you couldn't get a seat even if you wanted to.
As noted, this is the best place around, (we are talking about Comfort Inns and Super 8s as near peer competitors) but their best is no longer good enough for me and I endure the drive and either stay in Waldorf or Alexandria.
The banquet facilities look alright, but I wouldn't let them scramble eggs for me again.