AC Hotel Bethesda Downtown — Hotel in Bethesda

I ended up at the AC Hotel Bethesda Downtown after fleeing from the Hilton Garden Inn across the street at 3AM. It was such a horrible hotel and room that I literally could not even make it through the night. The AC Hotel was more than willing to accommodate me even in the wee hours of the morning and set me up in what was one of the most comfortable rooms I've stayed in for years.

Well, okay, it is a very NEW hotel and the FIRST room they put me in the thermostat and the TV didn't work. Literally, the thermostat would not stay set and the TV just gave me a blank screen. After several back and forths that no, it wasn't me, it was the the room, they very quickly switched me to ANOTHER room and THAT was the most comfortable room I've stayed in for many years.

The beds were reasonably comfortable, the pillows decent, and the room was DARK. Like actually DARK with serious window shades so you can actually sleep. Also, by and large very QUIET. Except for why can someone not invent a hotel minifridge that doesn't make an annoying whining sound. I asked for the minifridge to be put in the bathroom. I could have turned it off but I needed it for food. (I also asked for a microwave, which they kindly provided.) It was very spacious and I LOVED that I could stream both Netflix and Amazon Prime (as well as YouTube and a selection of cable channels). I ended up being there basically a whole week, and I would have been bored stupid without those streaming services.

The ONLY things in the room that were at all bothersome besides the minifridge whine were the incredibly bright flashing fire alarm & very glowy thermostat (why MUST we always have flashy lights & leds everywhere) and the fact that whomever designed the light fixture between the beds never actually tried to USE them FROM either bed. The reading lights were ridiculous and to turn the main light on or off, you literally had to sit up or get out of bed. The number of times I got comfortable only to realize I could not REACH the light switch.... Oh and I must say I don't LOVE the 'motion sensor' thermostat because a few times I came back to the room and it was uncomfortably warm because it had reset to 'no people present' mode and turned off the air. Also I sleep like a zombie so I woke up hot several times because the AC had turned off. Turn off the motion sensors, they are annoying, or at least give an option to like "snooze" that function overnight. I want my temperature at what I set it as when I sleep.

BUT other than those honestly rather minor things, my room was very comfortable, quiet, and lovely. As for the rest of the hotel, the bar was nice & the drinks tasty, the food was reasonably good for a hotel bar (especially those much too small stuffed mushroom snacks), and you can't beat getting a latte at practically any hour you might need a shot of caffeine. The staff though, the STAFF made the place fabulous. The front desk staff, the 'engineering' staff that helped me with the fridge and microwave, the servers - they were the BEST - and the cleaning staff. All just really so pleasant and nice and - in several instances - just plain kind. My wife was in the hospital nearby and I kept having to extend my stay over and over as she was not doing well. And they were really very kind about taking care of everything I needed. It wasn't cheap, and my credit card isn't terribly happy, but it was worth it to be able to truly rest when not at the hospital all day being exhausted and stressed and uncomfortable for days on end.

The parking is okay but be VERY careful. It is super tight in places and the 'hotel' section of the parking is way at the bottom and was often full. I did sadly bonk my trunk on a pole because some jerk tried to run me over. So that's a $1000 repair to add to my hotel bill.

Overall it was truly one of the best stays I've had anywhere in decades. I would never stay anywhere else in the area after this and I will recommend it to all...

A friend was going to be in “Guys and Dolls” at The Kennedy Center and so I got myself a ticket and planned to road trip down to DC from Vermont to see him. I had a “free night award” from Marriott that I wanted to use and I saw there were 3 AC Hotels in DC. I went in the Marriott Bonvoy App to book a room, but couldn’t make it work. So I called customer support and the rep told that something must have been going on in DC because the hotels were either sold out or not accepting points or vouchers. I asked her where the closest AC hotel was and she told me there was a brand new one in Bethesda, just a few miles away. She got me a reservation with my free night award AND then requested that I also be able to use one of my “Suite Night Awards.” She said, “You’re going for EVERYTHING aren’t you??!” Me: “WHY NOT!!??” LOL

I drove from Vermont to Newark, NJ after work on the Monday night (5+ hrs drive) then got up and drove the rest of the way to Bethesda (3+ hrs) on Tuesday morning and checked into this actually BRAND NEW (two months old when I got there) AC Hotel. And then I was mad at myself for not just pushing all the way through the 8+ hrs drive Monday night so I could have spent two nights in Bethesda because WHAT A WONDERFUL HOTEL THIS IS!

The hotel is just gorgeous. My room was on the 16th floor and they did, in fact, upgrade me. So I had a King sized bed and a full seating area. I love the AC Hotels. I love the aesthetic and the design elements. I do not want any kind of carpeting in my hotel room if I can help it. I want a big, roomy shower stall and this shower was just wonderful. Large enough so your towels can be hanging right inside the shower with you and never get wet, while you are having a shower under the huge, rainfall style showerhead. There is even a small, corner bar installed inside the shower where you can rest your foot in order to shave your legs. Which tells me that whoever is designing these hotel rooms these days is really using their head and including elements for everyone…you know??

Towels and bedding are lovely. Bed is extremely comfortable (I’m a fan of Marriott beds…). Big, flat screen TV right at the foot of the bed. Nice, roomy work desk. Plenty of surfaces for all your things. Also plenty of room inside the bathroom for all my creams and stuff. I detest a cramped bathroom with not enough counter space. I’ve got creams and lotions and STUFF and I need a place to put them.

Everyone I interacted with here was wonderful. Friendly, helpful, smiling. Just lovely.

There is a full service breakfast, lunch, dinner (and rotisserie) restaurant down in the lobby that is just lovely. Wonderful menus. A full bar so you can get yourself a lovely cocktail to enjoy there (it is a big, open, very well lit space) or take back to your room. Which is what I did. And my room was bathed in beautiful sunlight each day. It was just. PURE DELIGHT.

Spotless, pristine, silent, big room all to myself. And a beautiful adult beverage. Dreams do come true!

I would consider driving those 8+ hrs again just to stay in this hotel…I doubt I would even venture beyond the hotel since I could get my meals in the lobby.

New Personal Goal: retire to permanently reside in The AC...

Fantastic Stay at AC Hotel Bethesda Downtown

I recently stayed at the AC Hotel Bethesda Downtown and had an excellent experience. The location was perfect, conveniently situated in downtown Bethesda, providing easy access to the event locations I needed to visit with family and friends, despite the heavy traffic.

The check-in and check-out process was seamless. I want to give special thanks to Adunni at the front desk, who was extremely professional, inviting, and courteous, with a smile that could light up a room. She answered all my questions about local area establishments and was very knowledgeable in helping me set up and access my account using the Marriott Bonvoy app. Her assistance made the stay even more enjoyable.

The customer service from the entire staff was above and beyond. In addition to the outstanding service from Adunni, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Crystal, who was meticulous and engaging as I and other patrons moved throughout the lobby. She’s truly a spirit and vibe uplifter—her energy added something special to the experience.

My room was spacious, stylish, and very clean. The highlight was the walk-in overhead shower, which was amazing and added a touch of luxury to my stay.

The hotel’s amenities were fantastic, especially the fitness options. The Avocet Tower Gym on the rooftop offered an amazing view and state-of-the-art equipment, comparable to what I’d use at my local gym. The entire fitness center was modern, clean, and allowed me to keep up with my workout routine during my stay.

I have to mention the atmosphere and decor as well. It was incredible! I especially enjoyed the elevator waiting area—the big mirror there was perfect for fit checks and selfies, and the lighting and music were an outstanding precursor to the events I attended. The vibe was just right—Good Vybz all around!

Overall, I would highly recommend this hotel for anyone visiting Bethesda, whether for business or leisure. The excellent location, top-notch service, well-designed rooms, and great amenities, combined with the vibrant atmosphere, truly made my...