Residence Inn National Harbor Washington

Maria was at the front desk on the morning I left, and she was incredibly welcoming and patient while helping me with some business center and printing questions. I’m usually low maintenance, but that morning I needed more help than usual, and I really appreciated how attentive she was. I hope I’ve remembered her name right! I stay at Marriott hotels pretty often for work and family trips, and the AC Nat'l Harbor was one of the few stays that made me want to write a review. The room was impressively clean, and the bed was made with real care. I wish every hotel I stayed in felt this friendly and clean.

The rooms and hotel were spotless, and housekeeping was excellent. In the mornings, Maria at the front desk and the General Manager were especially courteous and friendly. The afternoon and evening desk staff were competent, but less polite and welcoming, and may not be suited to hospitality work. For a better stay, I recommend a high-floor room facing the river and/or the Wharf entertainment town center. The breakfast cafe needs a complete revamp, with a small buffet and a traditional American breakfast menu. The current format doesn't seem to be attracting many paying customers. Parking is expensive, and Marriott Bonvoy members should get validation.

My stay over the weekend of a harbor convention, from the 12th to 15th of February, was amazing until checkout. I left my luggage in the luggage holding room, where team members unlocked the door for guests and then left them there without supervision. When I came back, my camera, which had been outside my luggage, was gone. Staff said there was nothing they could do because the room has no cameras. If nobody is going to stay in the room while guests are there, they need cameras. Something extremely valuable to me was stolen, and the staff just dismissed the issue and didn't seem to care.

The room didn't feel worth the price. It had a minimalist look, but to me that just felt cheap, with no microwave and very plain furnishings. Even though the hotel wasn't busy, I was put directly below the renovation work. Construction started before 8:30am the day before, then jackhammering began in the room above me at 9am on Saturday. I'm a Bonvoy Elite member, but couldn't get an upgrade or a later check, and my status didn't feel like it meant anything.