Residence Inn by Marriott Washington DC-Capitol, Washington

We stayed in this hotel last Dec. 26, 2008, checked in around 4:30 or maybe later, front desk person was polite but he can do better than that, no help with parking, we will be more willing to pay for parking but of course it was not offered, I have to ask. My check in experience was very flat, maybe we were not fancy dressed because the couple next to us received a warmer welcome. The lady in the front desk gave us directions but you can tell that she had enough of tourist asking for a good resto for dinner. Our encounter with this 2 front desk staff was ok, I guess, you could tell that they are there for their paycheck, not costumer service. What really disappointed us was our check out! The front desk lady was not happy and was showing her disgust when I told her that I will be using my gift cards! I specifically mentioned during check in that I will be using this and I was told to give them during check out. I also asked about my bill because there was a 17 dollar charge and I never ordered a movie, but then it was probably my 3 year old using the remote. I was just asking and she became defensive! She even called a supervisor, or whatever but he just said hello and was friendly. All she could have done was explain, that is all i'm asking. We were really disappointed, I was embarassed, it was my sister's first time to visit Washigton and she is from Australia. She has no business to be a front desk staff. They are the front line and our first encounters. We were happy with our room because it was spacious and clean, the breakfast bar was OK and the cooks and waitresses were great! but we will never go back to this hotel because of their front desk people! We all need jobs, but to their managers I think they need to be trained in costumer service, because they definitely don't have people skills!

After reading several reviews on the web, I inquired about the often mentioned Amtrak train noises in the rooms upon check in. I was assured(dishonestly) by the smug front desk attendant that OUR room would not be affected by train noises. Lo and behold, well before 6 a.m. the train LOUDLY woke us up with its rumbling and whistles. We often travel to DC and will be looking elsewhere in the future.

Good looking hotel but cleanliness is not a very stong suit. This hotel has removed the "Please change my linen cards" completely from the rooms. Their statement is that they will change your linen every three days. I have stayed at this hotel for about 15 nights on a work assignment and can truely say that they have never vacuumed the floors even once in my entire stay which includes four different rooms over the course of my stay. The staff is very friendly though and the hotel is optimal for transportation via cab, bus or Metro.