Morrison-Clark Historic Inn & Restaurant — Hotel in Washington

A GEM: The comfort, class, and kindness far exceeded my hopes or any expectations of prior reviews. I booked a king sized room a week or so before a huge conference. There were 12 or so hotels within easy walking distance to the Washington DC Conference Center. Somehow, the Morrison-Clark seemed to be delightfully far enough from the 'loud big mega-hotels' for this magical time in early December when 'national cheerleading competitions' collide with 'professional conferences' and early season 'holiday parties'. I hoped to be able to return from a long day of conferences and have a quiet meal or even retire for room service. My family ran a hotel when I was young and this hotel felt familiar. But, with far more old world flair. The details:

Room: King room (third floor) while I did not have a city view, the courtyard view was charming and delightful with climbing white camellias reaching stories above and fountains glimmering in the dangling pendant lights (not shining in the rooms, but downward)! The bed was very comfortable with the fluffy bedding that makes it truly feel like sleeping on a cloud.

Privacy/Security: So easy to walk just around the corner from the conference center even after dark - plenty of tourists and all crosswalks had lights. A charming historic park right in front of the hotel is a buffer from the busy street which I never heard a peep from with my courtyard view (bonus). I never, not once, stood waiting for the elevator. I have always thought that the extra large hotels with the hotel key security for the elevator is less than meaningful when there are 8-10 people awaiting each elevator and 2-3 exiting with you on your floor.

Cleanliness: Immaculate, truly, even with the ongoing rainy 2 days. The foyer and main elevator remained dry - this was a mystery to me.

Service: This is an area that is difficult to describe. From our arrival (my college-age son and teenage son came along for one night to attend a football game), the gentlemen at the door were attentive and thoughtful. We were a modest crew, believe me. There was no chirping of walkie-talkies or shuffling us away. It was as if these two gentlemen had been waiting for us: "Hello. Welcome. How was your travel?" I am confident that even if we insisted on carrying our bags or finding our own parking, the reception would be the same. The front desk professionals were quick, kind, and warm.

Historic vs. New: My room was on the newer side. My sons were on the historic side. I believe that many of the historic side are just as lovely as the newer side, if not with better views patio access. However, my sons were a last-minute booking, literally within a couple of hours. Their room was likely one not frequently used for guests. While all rooms in the hotel are single-bed rooms (king or queen), this room was a queen, and at hotels, this typically is a full/queen depending upon the size of the room. In this case, it was a full, and both my sons are over 6 feet tall. They have fought over covers before and were good sports about it, "It's better than your floor, Mom!" Frankly, the shower area was small, dark, and odd. But, clean! So, considering it was a 'cheer competition', 'early holiday', 'conference', and 'NFL' weekend, we were very lucky.

LOCATION - LOCATION - LOCATION: look at the map!

Extra: Even after my sons checked out of their room and returned home, I stayed for 3 more nights. It is subtle and hard to describe, but I will try: When I left for the day, if I glanced over to the desk, a bright and kind face smiled back and asked me to have a good day. The gentlemen at the door opened the door and escorted me to the steps, standing not too close but ready to offer directions or a hand if needed. Upon return at the end of the day, the same greeting and smiles. This is not obtrusive. It was so subtle that felt like this was my home in DC with a full staff of caretakers. I called my husband and told him that Morrison-Clark has found the balance between quiet, personal attention,...

We stayed four nights at Morrison Clark. We weren't told at time of booking that construction for expansion was going on. Workers started at 7am...no sleeping in for us! The first night we had a small room on 3rd floor overlooking "L" and 11th. Some street noise but several times at late night fire sirens of fire engine trucks would go off--turns out Fire Station is a block away. The worse thing was that an armoire that was way overbearing in the room. The room has no closet. The armoire stores small flat panel t.v. and refrigerator; also house a small full length closet and ironing board. If the door were opened to watch t.v., you had to close the doors to go to the restroom (no aisle space). The armoire doors were broken and difficult to open. The next morning we asked for a different room. When we returned to new room, it was the same set up...armoire that blocked walkway to bathroom when doors were opened. This room was a little more quiet (room 206) but you couldn't open window since there were no screens and the windows faced a outdoor hallway to other rooms thus anyone passing by could look directly into bedroom. The window faced the window looking into another room across hall--no privacy for them either!! There was a door that lead out to the outdoor hallway rooms and anyone that entered or exited that door could be heard by us. We were tired of the place, put since this was a second move, we didn't want to move into another cramped room. At $315.00 average/night you would think management would have given discount after we let them know of the problems. BTW, the refrigerator has so much beverages in snacks in it (all for a fee of course) you don't have room to put anything in there. I had to ask desk clerk to remove items. The exercise room and "business center" is super tiny; hope they include better facilities on the expansion. You would think that they would buy armoires that doors slide INTO the armoire--somebody wasn't thinking (we even thought is was a fire safety hazard). We definitely would not stay there again at that price. A new Marriott opened down the street and even though we tend to like historical places to stay, this one is definitely off our list. Don't be fooled by the historical...

5 star review! 5 star all around:

Short review: Great service. Great location. Beautiful hotel. EXTREMELY comfortable bed. Great quality.

Long review: I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at this hotel. I came for a solo mommy birthday trip to the city to see a concert. Everything from start to finish was fantastic. I arrive close to midnight on a Thursday night. The night clerk was extremely informative and helpful and quick. I arrived at my room exactly at midnight and the room was breathtaking. The chandelier was such a nice touch. I love the fireplace, the curtains, the settee, everything in the room was just lovely, and perfectly placed. The mirror in the bathroom was exquisite. And the shower pressure was hard and strong, and the water HOT just how I like it. “It washed me like it was washing a car.” Loved my showers in that bathroom. The bed. Oh! The bed. Seriously, one of the most comfortable beds I’ve slept on in a hotel. The blackout curtains were AMAZING and I took some serious naps in that room and the sleep was a highlight of my trip. They even allowed a late check out so I could take a nap on my last day. What a gift for me!!

The service by each employee made my stay more welcoming. Everyone from the door attendant, desk staff, housekeeping to the bartender were all friendly and helpful. Everyone was so nice.

There is no coffee in the rooms, but in the lobby each morning. While I was a bit annoyed, I actually liked going to the lobby each morning to get a cup and see fellow guests. Everyone was friendly and patient while we waited for coffee. While they did not have any flavored creamer, the coffee was delicious. I had a few cups.

Worth mentioning: the hotel courtyard. So peaceful, inviting and relaxing. I had a few glasses of wine out there and loved that also.

The location is great and there’s so much in walking distance. The National Mall is a short bike ride away. Metro station is close. And if you stay here you HAVE to go to Stan’s DC for drinks and Bozzeli’s pizza on Vermont Street. I went both places twice during my three night stay.

Again: magnificent hotel. Thank for the amazing stay for...