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Not for business travel or couples
Just got back yesterday from a ten night stay at the Embassy Suites on Diagonal in Alexandria, VA. After 10 consecutive nights, I got a good feel for the property, and I am certain I would never consider staying there again. Alexandria can be a fun place (Old Town), with lots of nice restaraunts, bars, and shops, but there are better places to stay if you are on business, are a senior, or part of a couple. My spouse is staying on in Alexandria for another week of work, and has moved to the Hilton across the street. He is much happier there and reports that it is much quieter, less chaotic, and more business-friendly.(internet access was poor to non-existent at the Embasssy Suites)
He said he is also able to eat breakfast there in peace, something not possible at the Embassy Suites.
The Embassy Suites is geared to families with lots of babies and young children, and school groups of middle school/jr. high age kids. If you are conerned that your family will be messy, noisy, and may not behave well in a hotel, you can stay here without fear. We heard kids in the hall at all hours, playing games, running, and screaming. Also, we observed lots of family dogs here, so that is worth considering if you have a pet you wish to take along. We saw that as many as 5 or 6 kids can be put into a suite there, so it can be very economical, if you can handle that kind of close quarters. According to the houskeeping staff, 5 or 6 kids to a suite was common, so it may be an option for a big family. The housekeeping staff also told us that the property is full of kids year round and is always very noisy.
Of note: we observed wads of chewing gum on the floor in the hallways and elevators and almost stepped in it a few times. Managers reception in the PM was an incongrous combinaton of adults tossing back beers, wine and mixed drinks while babies and toddlers screamed, crawled on the floor, and spilled drinks. Ater observing one person change a smelly diaper of a baby a few feet from the bar, I left and never returned. Breakfast is an ear-splitting event, and very unappetizing, with kids handling most of the pastiries and muffins before they decide which one they wish to choose to put on their tray (unlesss they change their mind and put it back). I stuck with just the coffee. The breakfast buffet offerings were exactly the same all 10 mornings I was there.
Our suite was not vaccummed most of the days we were there. I left in the mornings around 7:30 AM and returned some days at 3:30 or 4:00 and it was not cleaned yet.
After chatting with a few of the housekeeping and front desk staff about the excruciating noise level in the hotel, they all pointed me in the direction of the Hilton as the better place to stay if you do not have a crew of children with you or need to do some work. I would urge you to take their advice.
