The Wardman is a hotel that is caught between three worlds that each offer a different experience and each have their pluses and minuses.

Having stayed at the hotel on a weekly basis for three months, I had the chance to understand the nuances and grow to appreciate them for what they are.

I developed a particular fondness to the Wardman Tower as it is the older building with spacious rooms, high ceilings and the charm of a hotel of the past. Having the ability to walk around my room(s)( as on numerous occasions I was placed in a suite or a room with a parlor), I found the experience to be luxurious as I was able to enjoy the balcony, and revel in the craftsmanship that went into the rooms (e.g. the moldings, the thick walls and doors and the furniture) opposed to the basic sheet rock of todays standard rooms. On the down side, there is a dearth of lighting and the windows need to be replaced as air and noise pass through freely. However, for the charm and space of an older building, I just adore the Tower.

The more modern building that is connected to the Tower is a basic slap them up hotel. It has new and modern furniture and conveniences (like the flat panel), but lacks both the space and charm of the Tower and I felt that I was in a courtyard as opposed to a premium Marriott property. For instance, the bathrooms are sooooooo small that you can not reach a towel from the shower without closing the door and yes, you can actually reach the towels that are under the sink from the shower. In addition, the walls are thin and noise carries, and the shapes of the room are odd where you may actually get a room with a window, that is looking at part of the roof. Overall, I hated the new building.

In the fall/winter of 2007 the hotel was under massive construction which I was not informed of as a guest or while making reservations. I loathed the fact that they started construction before 7AM (aprox 6:30) and detested that they did not inform me ahead of time nor could actually tell me when they are anticipating completing it. Having been moved to a quiet part of the building, I did not notice the construction and did not consider it a problem except when I was eating at the hotel restaurant A STONES THROW. As construction was being done on the area outside of the restaurant, it was alarming and annoying to hear a grinder or smell the grinding as I was trying to eat my breakfast. Having experienced it twice, I quit eating breakfast there (free or not). Again, as a guest they did not consider how this would impact us.

As for the food, A STONES THROW is OVER PRICED (regardless of the meal) and the food is mediocre at best. I would rather walk to one of the 15 restaurants at the base of the driveway than spend the money that they ask for something that lacks quality, ambiance and a professional dining experience.

The staff at the Wardman are nice, but far from JW, RENASSIANCE, Resort or RITZ quality. The people are pleasant, respectful and courteous, but lack the sense of following through or going out of their way for a guest (and this is coming from someone that spends on average 125 nights in Marriott hotels a year). There are a few people that exude that professionalism and make the stay worthehile (and obviously impkressed me enough to come back), but it hasn’t transcended all of the staff as there are obvious “lifers” or “wait until this shift is over” people that need to go. It’s about making a connection with your guests and their needs….some people get it and care ~others don’t.

Overall, it’s a good place and a decent stay. It’s a 190-250 per night hotel….however, nothing more than that. As for other Washington area Marriott, I have experienced those in Bethesda and downtown….there is a difference between staff, but I feel that overall the DC staff lacks some of the qualities of smaller hotels in other smaller cities