Courtyard by Marriott Washington, DC Dupont Circle — Hotel in Washington

I stayed 2 nights at the Courtyard Washington, Dupont Circle in July 2024. This was my second stay at this relatively new hotel (opened either late 2021 or early 2022). This was a business trip for me and I was traveling solo. As a Titanium elite, I was "upgraded" to a higher floor King room. The room was standard in size for downtown DC and typical for a Courtyard. There was no iron or ironing board in the room so a request to the front desk is required to have one delivered. Other than that, the room was fine. Temps were in the mid-90's during my stay and I was able to keep the room quite cool. The blackout shades worked very well too. There was some noise from the hallway, outside and other rooms but it was minimal.

The hotel location is outstanding. It's located on a relatively quiet street and for me, it's only a few blocks to my office. If visiting DC to see the White House, monuments and museums, it's a bit of a walk (15 min to the White House) but it is walkable. The hotel is only a couple blocks to Connecticut Ave, Dupont Circle, etc. You're also several blocks from both the Farragut West and Farragut North Metro Stations which make it convenient to get anywhere in the surrounding area.

The hotel "restaurant" is the typical Courtyard Bistro, so it's best to avoid. They serve breakfast and dinner, but only eat there in a pinch. The Bistro bar is open from 5-10 but it lacks selection and has zero atmosphere. The Tabard Inn Restaurant (inside the oldest hotel in DC) and Iron Gate Restaurant are next door and across the street so very convenient. Also numerous Dupont Circle restaurants are a short walk away.

The first night of the stay, I had an issue with the TV where even after I turned it off, the TV continued to glow -- almost like a really large night light. I was so tired so I didn't care and slept well despite the glow all night. I addressed the issue with the front desk the next day and the TV was fixed.

The fitness center had several issues during the two times I used it. There is a water station to refill water bottles but that wasn't working. There are two adjustable weight benches yet both were broken....neither could be adjusted. There are three treadmills but only 1 was working. I notified the front desk and they were aware of the broken water station but not the treadmills or weight benches. I used the fitness center at non-peak times so I can't speak to how crowded it was first thing in the morning.

Considering the location and relatively good price compared to other nearby hotels, I will...

On the above date around 12:30 am I arrived to check in, before entering the main lobby door you have a door before the main door. When I entered the first door the second was locked and it had to be unlocked by front desk clerk. I stand at waiting for someone to let me in, I noticed what appeared to be a couple of guest sitting in the lobby looking at me like I have four foreheads. Finally a man gets up to assist me letting me I tell him thank you while the lady guest just sat there. I go to the front desk I see no clerk , there man on some steps looking at me crazy, I’m there with my son. I tell my son loudly Why is this looking at me like that. All of sudden the lady that I thought or appeared to be the a guest was the front desk clerk, addressed in very aggressive and rude manor said “ how can I help you” never said “welcome to courtyard Marriott how can I help you’ she was out of uniform because she did have her name tag on, that identifies her as an employee for Courtyard Marriott along with her name and title. I then say too her I have reservation 11/19/2024. She’s said “ your reservation for tomorrow which tomorrow is today. So I don’t argue with her and very annoyed on how I was treated by her. So go back outside with my son and we now commence to try find a room for one night. We were attending the DOJ conference which being at the Washington Hilton. She could have looked up or offered us some suggestions at another Marriott. A lot of this didn’t sit well with me after such unprofessional front desk clerk encounter. I looked at Bonvoy app booked us a different place for the next couple of days at Fairfield inn. After I locked in reservation for the Fairfield inn I then went back and asked her to cancel my reservation. She then replied back” that’s a penalty canceling the reservation” never asked me why was I canceling “ I finally said I found somewhere else to stay because you’re nasty towards people. Keep in mind I was still out of room, I finally was to find a through IHG at the holiday in express. I had to park my truck a couple of blocks away from the hotel. I found a parking and get my suit cases out and heading to hotel, where we almost robbed by two teenagers or older one had mask on the other one was light skin. I went to survival mode and thought this going to turn out ugly. God was there in my need and save me and my son from possible one of all would’ve gotten hurt.

I will never stay in this hotel after that encounter with her and all...

We are Marriott Bonvoy Platinum elite members with 50 + stays and frequent travelers to the DC area , for what that is worth. I will caveat the review by saying this hotel is best suited for single business or European travelers, I am reviewing as a 50+ couple with 2 medium-sized suitcases.

We stayed in Room 414 in Dec 2024. The room overlooked an alleyway and a dumpster. Upon entering, the first thing we noted was that the room appeared to be newly remodeled, water bottles, clean, a tile floor, walk in shower, large screen tv, a desk, a desk chair, a "cooler" aka, small refrigerator, and a safe. What was lacking was a "dresser," or shelving on which to place your clothes. We stayed 3 nights and living out of our suitcase each night was not what we envisioned for our trip. When did having a place to store your clothes become obsolete? There was only 1 luggage rack in the room. Other than the desk chair, there was no other secondary seating in the room . The mirror, "outside-closet" available to use was not guest friendly as the space to accommodate several clothing items was not sufficient. Additionally, the shower basin doors leaked (it was reported and fixed, but still leaked afterward), and the toilet paper dispenser was not properly affixed to the wall.

Housekeeping is NOT everyday, rather it is every other day-not an industry standard. (Not told to us at check-in) When we returned to the room, a set of towels were left - though the set was not complete, the garbage was not emptied and we had to request additional items afterward.

The bistro is only open for breakfast. However, there are food establishments in the area for all meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The seating and lobby area were well designed and available to anyone who does not want to sit in their room to work.

It was not the best Marriott experience for us. This is not a hotel we will consider staying in again as it did not suit our needs but may be good for a business or for European travelers who...