Editor Pick
Family Friendly enough Marriott Residence Inn and Execustay
- July 8, 2008
- Rated 3 of 5 by
Poole Party from everywhere, Virginia
After two years in Hanoi, and 3 weeks going stir crazy in a timeshare in Orlando, with few places to walk to from the villa, we are at the Marriott Residence Inn, Arlington, VA.
This is your standard Marriott (though seemingly an older building as seen by the older model televisions on swivel with no DVD and slightly old furniture) one bedroom suite with the following amenities:
* Air conditioning
* Alarm clock
* Coffee maker/tea service
* Crib available
* Individual climate control
* Iron and ironing board
* Luxury bedding - crisp linens, thicker mattresses, custom comforters, fluffier pillows
* Pillows: down/feather
* Pillows: foam
* Pull-out sofa daybed
* Safe
Bathroom Amenities
* Hair dryer
Room Entertainment
* Cable channel: CNN
* Cable channel: ESPN
* Cable channel: HBO
* Cable/satellite TV
* Color TV
* Movies/videos, pay-per-view
* Video games and players for rent
* Wet bar
Kitchen Amenities
* Conventional oven
* Dishwasher
* Microwave oven
* Pots, pans, serving dishes
* Refrigerator
* Refrigerator with icemaker
* Silverware
* Stove
* Table and chairs
* Toaster
Business Amenities
* Electrical outlet: desk level
* Phone feature: voice mail
* Two-line phone
Services
Complimentary Service
* Buffet breakfast
* Coffee in lobby
* Coffee/tea in-room
* Evening reception
* Full American breakfast
* Manager's Reception
* Phone calls: toll-free
Guest Services
* Local restaurant dinner delivery
* Safe deposit boxes, front desk
* On-site parking, fee: 6 USD hourly, 12 USD daily
* RV/Bus parking at Union Station, Washington, DC
Pet Policy
• Pets allowed, non-refundable sanitation fee: 100 USD
Fitness Facilities
* Fitness Center-On Site
When we first got into our room, it was one of those tiny room with all the furniture so close together that the reclining seat couldn’t recline without rearranging furniture. However, we were moved out of the room because we came upon a pile of potato chips in the middle of the living room AND a pair of red panties on the closet floor. (I get all the adventures). Management apologized profusely and moved us into an‘identical’ room, but the view was slightly more picturesque (residential apartments and the building courtyard), and slightly larger, not to mention, without previous tenants’ underwear.
The best thing about the Marriott (besides the great breakfasts (get there early to get a seat) and the yummy appetizers which are great for kids who can’t wait until dinnertime) is that it is within walking distance - two blocks - from a Safeway and CVS, and two blocks the opposite way to the Metro station – Rosslyn.
About 6 blocks up and down semi gentle hills (depending on how out of shape you are), you will find happen upon a bustling area around Clarendon and Wilson Blvds (Metro Courthouse stop) filled with a bookstore, AMC theatre, bakeries, and eateries galore (anything from Taco Bell and Wendy’s to TNR café). Also here you can shop at large stores like Office Depot, and little small boutique places with interesting stationery and knick knacks.
I walked around with my son in a stroller and was so thrilled to be able to walk on and off stroller friendly sidewalks and be able to maneuver the stores with little problem. There is also the Key School which has a playground, though I am not sure if it is for non students.
There are several small business ‘park’ courtyards that allow for children to get out of their strollers and run around in the immediate area in relative safety.
All in all a decent place to stay with children - with enough to entertain us locally and easy access to the Metro when we need more distraction.