L'Enfant Plaza Hotel

Room was very ordinary. For this being a "top hotel" in DC, there was no fridge or microwave. I was traveling on a budget with 3 children and planned to prepare breakfast and lunch in the room. It was no better than an ordinary hotel that only provides a bed.

I chose this hotel because it was convient to the metro. I was going to be traveling alone and wanted a quick way to get to and fro. The directions and signs however to get off the metro and into the hotel were not clear and very confusing. I found myself alone and nervous about finding my way into the hotel..from what seemed to be the basement of the hotel. Signs were not clear enough and after everything shuts down in the mall area of the hotel (basement) it is very eerie. The rooms had old TV's and no free wifi

Our experience was great once we found it. The signage from the Metro was dreadful despite being situated directly above it. It was easy when we found the quickest way.There was a big food court beneath the hotel, very convenient for breakfast and reached from the lobby by the world's slowest lift.There is also a post office and a few shops near the food court. It is a very convenient location for sightseeing because of the Metro beneath, the Hop on Hop off bus stops outside, and it is two blocks walk from the Mall and Smithsonian museums. We found the immediate surroundings were a bunch of office buildings with sterile architecture. Very quiet outside at all times, but hardly any restaurants within easy walking distance. The hotel was a modern international type with busy lobby. Check-in was efficient but did not explain that the express lifts to the rooms required use of the room key card (a new one on me). Check out was quick. Room was excellent, though slightly worn decor, with balcony and side view of the river. Room contained safe, coffee maker, hairdryer,iron etc. Beds comfy. Room temperature was OK but could not be adjusted to individual taste at this time- reception said that heating was not on. Very quiet in room- no plumbing noises. Service was excellent: we had a maintenance problem with the safe which was attended to in minutes, although the housekeeping was lacking- did not replace all glasses and coffee. The lobby contained a Starbucks, A pub, and a restaurant. The food and service in the last two were excellent. Ask for Roberto in the pub- he looked after us well. The clientele was mixed- business, tourists, youth groups. There are TVs and lounge areas in the lobby. A big downside was the internet access. Wi-Fi was $12.95 per day, but three free terminals were available. Unfortunately these were as slow as the elevator down to the food court! Overall our stay was a good experience in a comfortable hotel.

The staff was very helpful and polite! My room didn't have any bath towels in it, and I didn't realize it until after I stepped out of the shower. This was a problem, but was rectified the next day. One of the beds seemed to sink low in the middle, so I looked under it and found that some of it was coming apart in the center under the bed. So I used the other one. This hotel is convenient to ALL tourist attractions in D.C., extremely safe (you had to use your room key to use the elevator), and the cost was reasonable.

The location doesn't get much better than this. It's down town and right on top of a metro station. The staff is very friendly and helpful.

Rooms need some improvements, or at least a flatscreen TV. If the rooms were a little more modern it would have been excellent. The convience of being above the metro was outstanding.

You can't beat the location. A short walk to the center of the Washington Mall area. Metro station located in the lower level of the hotel. Can't beat it. The room itself was clean and comfortable but definitely in need of a make-over. The ceiling had a few stains and some poorly done patch work. The furniture was old and a little beat up. You can tell that at one time this was a premier place to stay but they haven't put enough into keeping the rooms looking sharp

The hotel lobby area is nice. The Pub was under staffed. However, Mr. Michael, our waiter was very attentive given the circumstances. He was the waiter and bartender. Extrememly over tasked, but always with a smile and courteous. My colleague had a problem with a hold on her credit card, but that was not their fault; however, Mr. Pedro was excellent in helping her clear up the matter to release the hold on her card.

The room was always clean, and beds very comfortable. It was such a bonus having the Metro right beneath us. The only thing was that the food court, also underneath us, was closed on the weekends. The small coffee shop in the hotel ran out of breakfast foods early. We did find some excellent seafood at the harbor only about 5 minutes away. At least 7 small restaurants where you could get wonderful seafood like crab cake and chowder and fish dinners very reasonably priced. The best food i found in Washington. Hotel staff friendly and helpful. Would definitely go back there.

Our stay at the L'Enfant Plaza, a hotel that is walking distance to the Washington DC Mall, was ruined by unimaginable loud noises during the night made by a convention of hundreds of youngsters staying there. The air condition did not work as it also made the most incredible noise ( we had to be relocated to another room). This place takes advantage of its privileged position in Washington DC and the staff is rather indifferent to any complain. To appease us, and after telling them we were leaving, they provided us with two days of free breakfast. It's a hotel in decline...