Americana Hotel Crystal City

How can you beat the price? I've been staying at the Americana for 20 years whenever I am in D.C. for business and pleasure. Though the appearance of the motel takes you back to the 1960's, that in itself is part of the charm. The times I have stayed there, I have had no complaints. The rooms have always been clean, the service good, and the price is unbeatable. I first booked rooms when my family and I traveled to D.C. on a family vacation. I'd found a small ad in the Sunday supplement magazine in Detroit advertising this great deal, and thought, why not? Since I have no intention of staying in the room except to sleep and shower, this is one of the best deals I've ever found.

I took a class trip with my history class and we stayed in the Americana. Upon arrival, I was a little nervous about what was in store for us, but it ended up working really well for our trip. The rooms are old and not exactly the nicest rooms you will ever stay in (not to mention they don't have clocks in them), but the rooms were clean and we had no problems. Also, the balconies all connected so it was easy and fun to get to other people's rooms. I would not suggest the Americana to travelers only in need of one room, but if you have a big group and need multiple rooms like we did, then I would definitely reccomend the Americana!

This was my 3rd week-long stay at the Americana. Although the first two times were nothing to write home about....rooms not so clean, staff not so friendly, it was a convenient, cost-effective place to sleep while working here in D.C. Now, after my 3rd stay, I would definitely not come back. If you're looking for customer service, forget it. I can't remember the last time I've felt like such an inconvenience as a hotel guest.

We had the unfortunate timing of booking our rooms the same week that a movie crew was shooting film in the hotel. Why the management still booked rooms for "regular" guests, or in the very least told us that we would be inconvenienced during our stay at the time we booked our rooms is beyond me. In addition our rooms were more expensive this week because they had "limited" room availability! It was very clear that hotel "guests" were nothing more than a nuisance this week.

During our stay we were repeatedly told that we could only park in the under-hotel parking (otherwise our vehicles would be towed), which has very limited parking and narrow spaces. Most of the time the movie equipment vehicles blocked most of the parking structure leaving it nearly impossible to park. In the afternoon, after a long day of work, we were shooed out of the lobby (where the elevators are located) and told that we couldn't use them because the film crews were inside.

So, if you're looking for a clean place to stay, where the ownership and management value you as a customer, look elsewhere.I will.

For the price of the rooms and the look I'm quite appalled. Not to mention even when just calling to check on prices before going the clerk was very rude to me from the get-go. I wouldn't bother even taking a glance at this place.

You will be amazed how clean, comfortable, and convenient this old place is. I have stayed here a few times including 2 weeks this past May (2007). It's in Crystal City in Arlington, VA and only about a mile to Washington, DC. The beds are new and comfortable, great A/C, water pressure, and cable. Restaurants, bars, convenience stores, ATMs, Walgreens, and the Metro (subway) very close. Plenty of cabs and parking is easy. Trust me when I say it is old school (original 1940s tile in the bathrooms for example), but you will be surprised at the cleanliness and how you cannot resist staying again for the price.