The location is there, but how sad is this hotel: review of The Washington Hilton

No matter if I am traveling to review or if I am on vacation, the certainty is that I will try to review as many hotels as possible. This kind of mattress run also helps me renew Diamond status with Hilton going by the shorter route of 30 stays instead of the 60 nights or even worse the qualifying points.

Reservation

When traveling on the road my advice is to never book hotels in advance or always do so with flexible rates. Plans can always change due to external causes or the desire to take a detour or lengthen a stop.

We booked this hotel as we were driving through Delaware. One night at 155$, or at least that's the price the Hilton app showed, too bad that as always then you have to add taxes, junk fees and much more. And in the end also considering parking the cost for one night rose to 255$.

The insanity of the destination fee, i.e., 25$ being "added" and becoming mandatory credit to be spent, or lost, is something really hard to understand.

Location

We are in the heart of Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan, one of Washington's most desirable neighborhoods. Rich in history, this hotel has hosted presidents, important people and prestigious events since 1965, always under the Hilton banner.

From here you can see several iconic views of Washington such as the George Washington monument.

Check-in

That things would not go smoothly we knew as soon as we pulled into the parking lot outside the entrance. In the rain the bellman was watching us, not giving the slightest impression that he would come to help us with our luggage. Eventually we went inside and asked for info on how to get to the hotel park. From here, dry, we made our way to the lobby.

A single queue, even though the directions provided fast track for elite users. Of course I could have done everything from the app, but I didn't have the ability to associate the park ticket with the room. Here after realizing that between alternative breakfast credit and destination fee we had 61$ to spend at the hotel we reached our room.

The room

No upgrade, but in the U.S. the Diamond level is super easy to get so people with status the majority, this results in a devaluation of the power of status.

Our room 9111, I chose via the app, otherwise we would have ended up on the second floor, with the risk of being above the restaurant. Room-wise this is probably one of the worst I've ever found in a Hilton And it evens out what I had found in the heart of Times Square in New York City. I am not surprised since the standard of certain hotels in the U.S. is considerably lower than what is offered in the rest of the world. Two queen beds, but in size S, for a really basic room. Too much.

There is nothing except the beds, the big screen and the Keurig for coffee. There is also no mini-bar to keep water cool. No slippers, no amenity kit in the bathroom, and not even room lighting, without having to hunt down the switches of the two lamps.

The bathroom is also as basic as the room, with a tub/shower, where to wash if you're over 6 feet you have to duck.

The hotel

To understand how sad this hotel is just open the app and click on the "hotel guide" item here the features and what the facilities offer are listed. In this hotel the only entry is the destination fee: 25$.

There is a cafeteria on the ground floor, where snacks, salads, drinks, etc. are sold at crazy prices. To get an idea of prices a yogurt with granola and fruit costs 10$, a bottle of water even 15.

There is a large waiting area, given the size of this hotel it is essential otherwise it would be really hard to get around.

Then there is the restaurant where breakfast is served and an Irish pub.

The pub is the nicest thing about the hotel. Also the liveliest place in the whole facility.

The hotel is huge, so big that inside it has a couple of stores and even an office for shipping, photocopying, and other small logistics operations.

Swimming pool and gymnasium

Probably the coolest thing about this hotel is the pool, an element that was lacking in the other hotels we stayed at in DC.

It is not the classic pond, but it is a nice pool where there are two lanes for those who want to work out and as many for those who want to swim instead. There are lounge chairs, sunbeds, and a bar, which is the must-have option in the U.S. along with air conditioning.

Also great is the gymnasium, which faces outside and is therefore very bright.

Breakfast

Breakfast at Hilton hotels in the US is no longer a benefit, Actually it wouldn't be anywhere, but here they have always complied with regulations with total taxation. Continental breakfast, included with gold status and above is becomes a credit to spend, which varies by status, chain and location. In this case 18$ per person (maximum 2, even if you sleep 3 or 4).

Translated 36$ to spend that repays, barely, breakfast for one also because taxes and tips have to be added to the prices on the menu. Even adding the 25$ of destination fee it's not like one can gobble it up.

In conclusion

If the price is extremely competitive it may make sense to book this facility, otherwise there are many other alternative solutions where to go to sleep.

The verdict

A huge barracks in a location good for visiting DC, but not very good. As is often the case in the U.S. these hotels are definitely old and would need a complete makeover.

5.5

Pro

• The swimming pool

Against

• Resort Fee