Holiday Inn - Ballston (Arlington, VA): Not the Lap of Luxury, but Not Bad
Written: Dec 09 '01 (Updated Dec 23 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Convenient to Ronald Reagan National Airport, efficient front desk service
Cons: Rooms are clean and adequate, but lacking extras. Bring your own amenities.
The Bottom Line: Convenient to Reagan National Airport, rooms are adequate but not luxurious. Overall, the hotel could use a bit of updating and the addition of computer work areas in the rooms.
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| diverpam's Full Review: Holiday Inn Arlington Ballston |
The best part about this hotel is probably its location. About 20 minutes from Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., this Holiday Inn is about a $20 cab ride away. This hotel also happens to be directly across the street from the office where I was meeting, so the location was perfect for me.
Friendly, Efficient Greeting
I was greeted upon arrival and my bags were promptly carried inside to the front desk. There wasn't a lot in the lobby to catch my attention -- marble flooring and a couple of easy chairs and a sofa and table.
This was quite a change from my hotel of a week ago (The Peabody) where there was a grand lobby with an ornate fountain, complete with swimming ducks. Oh well, back to reality.
There was no wait to check in and it was handled efficiently and swiftly. They had my reservation, the room I had requested, and it was at the discounted price offered to my company.
Ironically enough, there I was traveling alone and there were ample king size non-smoking rooms available. Somehow I'm sure if I'd brought my husband along there would have suddenly been a run on king beds and we would have be lucky to get a queen. If you read my Peabody review from last week you will understand the irony of this statement.
Soon I was in my room on the ninth floor. It overlooked the street and office building where I was headed the next day.
The Room
The room was quite large and roomy. In addition to the king-size bed, night stands and dresser, it contained an easy chair and ottoman and a small, round table and two chairs.
Hmmmm... there was no desk. Where would I put my laptop? Forget American Express, I never leave home without my laptop. Had I fallen through a time warp? Have I been totally spoiled? There was no place to set up my computer, no two-line phone, no desk lamp. I was having a 70's flashback. Luckily, there was no shag carpet.
There was plenty of room to accommodate a desk/work area. Perhaps when the hotel completes the elevator lobby renovations, it will decide to add work areas in the rooms. Although there was a sign posted in the elevators regarding the lobby work, I never saw any... maybe they were working their way up to the ninth floor.
Climate Control
It was a balmy 75-degree December day in Washington, D.C. and I was glad I had checked Weather.com before packing my bags. I immediately headed for the air conditioner to get the cool air going.
The unit was under the windows so that all the cool air managed to blow directly up inside the drapes. I have never figured that one out. You either keep the drapes open and expose yourself to the world, or you keep the inside of your draperies very, very cool.
After a bit of experimentation, I discovered weights in the drapery bottoms and watch able to tuck them away on the window ledge and let the cool air actually circulate within the room. One small step for womankind...
Now, on to the Bathroom
The bathroom was also showing its age a bit. No marble floors here, just the small tiles showing signs of damage and repair under the sink area.
The one-piece faux marble counter top with sink was the bathroom's sole tribute to modernizatioon. It also offered up a coffee maker with coffee and tea supplies. I'm one of those people who don't drink coffee, so I tucked the two bags of coffee into my suitcase for my husband's collection.
There was also a hair dryer, tiny bar of Jergens hand soap, and small bar of Jergens bath soap. There were four pretty large (albeit not too fluffy) towels and a bathmat. There was also a small bottle of no-name conditioning shampoo.
I wouldn't be bringing home any hotel amenities on this trip. Okay, so I'm a bathroom snob. I love nice goodies in the bathroom and I always take them with me to use when necessary on future trips.
This was one of those times -- I pulled out a small bottle Bath & Body Works shampoo and also hand lotion(from a hotel in Hawaii, I believe) and set it on the counter. I used some of my lotion to smooth my hands and noticed that it felt different than normal.
The hotel's conditioning shampoo did prove useful when I realized I had not packed my conditioner. I used my shampoo to wash my hair, then used the hotel's conditioning shampoo as a conditioner.
The next morning, I had static cling hair and my hands felt a bit rough. It was then I gave my bottle of "hand lotion" a closer look. Yes, folks, I had been using conditioner on my hands, which did them absolutely no good.
My hair seem to take on an even wilder, more flyaway look when I realized I had unwittingly cheated myself out of real conditioner.
Next time, I will pack my travel bag a bit more carefully to ensure I have shampoo, conditioner, and hand lotion! I do not recommend the Holiday Inn's conditioning shampoo.
Hallway "Amenities"
There was an open closet in the "entry hall" that included several wood hangers, as well as an iron and ironing board.
After unpacking and realizing I would,indeed, be utilizing the iron before going out to dinner that evening, I set about to check my email.
Makeshift Office
The single line phone next the bed (the only phone in the room) did have a computer plug on the outside. I sat on the bed and hooked up to the phone.
For a 50-cent local phone call charge I was soon dialed in and checking my email. Luckily, I didn't have a lot of mail that needed an immediate response because sitting cross-legged on the bed, hunched over the computer was not exactly an ergonomic delight.
What About Food?
The snack bag of crackers Northwest had so kindly served me on my flight into Washington had long since departed. I realized it was about 4pm and I hadn't eaten lunch.
When I inquired at the Front Desk about the restaurant, the clerk showed me where it was and advised that it wasn't open for dinner yet. What about room service, I asked. Nada.
Why is it that a hotel thinks it's okay to close the restaurant and room service during the same hours? This has always been one of my major hotel pet peeves.
Luckily, the cocktail lounge was open and they served food. They actually had the same menu as the restaurant. I opted for the spinach dip and a Coke and took them back to my room. There was only the bartender and one customer in the lounge, so my wait for smoke-free and fairly short.
The next morning I did come downstairs for the buffet breakfast. As a Priority Club member, I received a $2 off coupon for the buffet. It was pretty good fare, with bagels, English muffins, fruit, yogurt, cereal, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage patties, hash brown and grits. The discounted price was $6.95 and includes coffee, tea, or juice. (If you can get anyone to serve it to you.)
The service in the restaurant was non-existent. Thank goodness for the buffet!
The gentleman who seated me brought me a glass of water. I never saw a waiter. After returning to my table from the buffet (I left my coupon in plain view on the table) I already had my check on the table. I never did get my O.J. -- I was starting to feel a bit like District Attorney Marsha Clark.
No one would make eye contact with me for the duration of my breakfast visit. Perhaps it was the fly-away hair?
I nibbled on the bacon while reading the Washington Post that had been left outside my door. Then I made the mistake of sampling the grits and quickly switched to a slightly stale bagel with cream cheese.
Note to self: Do NOT eat grits north of the Mason-Dixon line. Can you say no butter or salt??
Checkout
As a Priority Club member I had the privilege of a 2pm checkout, so I dashed back to the hotel after my presentation to pick up my suitcase and check out. Again, there was no wait and the transaction was smooth and accurate. My business colleague (ride to the airport) barely had time to make a phone call while I was inside.
Overall
My stay at this Holiday Inn was pleasant, the front desk and bell staff helpful and friendly, and my room comfortable.
If you're in the Arlington-Ballston area for a quick business trip this could be a pretty good option for your stay.
However, if you're looking for luxury, all the modern conveniences, and 24-hour room service you should look elsewhere.
Recommended:
Yes
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diverpam
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Member: Pam
Location: Collierville, TN
Reviews written: 263
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~~~~So many oceans...so little time!~~~~
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