I would really appreciate some opinions on the quality of the Harrington. My family of four will be spending 6 days in Washington in May. I chose the Harrington based on good reviews in several reliable travel guides. I was attracted by its excellent location to the mall and that we could get a family suite (one double bed and an adjoining room with two twins),a perfect set-up since we have two teenagers. We also got a good price. Now I'm having second thoughts based on some of the recent postings.We are not looking for deluxe accommodations like Loew's but we do want something clean,safe,cheery not dinghy,comfortable. I'd appreciate hearing from others who have stayed there recently...what was you experience? would you stay there again? If not, why not? Would the Holiday Inn on the Hill be a better choice? We want to be near a Metro station and really want to be able to walk to the mall museums and sites. Thanks for your advice!

I know someone who had to stay there on business recently (it was during a major convention and she couldn't find anywhere else -- that ought to tell you something) and she said "never again." She said it was a pit and found it very depressing, and others on this board have echoed that. I know they do have reasonable rates, but I think you'd be better off almost anywhere else. If you do a search of old threads under Washington DC using the word "hotels" you will bring up lots of recommendations. I believe someone recently stayed at a Holiday Inn near the mall and found it to be ok.
However, in my opinion, being able to walk to the Mall is overrated. After dark when you want to go to dinner, there aren't many options around the Mall. You would be better off staying around Dupont Circle and taking the metro to the Mall for the day to see all the sights, and then returning to Dupont at night for all the wonderful dining options.

The Hotel Harrington is a vile pit. My co-workers and I always pity the people that we seeing coming and going from there. It is hardly a cheery and un-dingy place. My parents also had the misfortune of staying there once. They were so disgusted. Lisa is right. Stay in the Dupont Circle area and take the metro downtown. The metro ride is fast enough that it will hardly take up any of your day. If you really want to stay at a Holiday Inn, try the one on New Jersey Avenue. It is in walking distance of Union Station with its shops, restaurants and metro station, as well as near the Capitol.

Listen to the comments about the Hotel Harrington. It may sound like a good location...close to the White House etc...but if you could see it up close, you would realize what a low end, dreary place.

My guess is that they get a lot foreigners that want a cheap tourist class hotel and don't care,,..and families like yourselves that are shocked when they see the place.

The Harrington was not the best 35 years ago. If someone says it is excellent today I question their sanity, or their ethics. If insane, they might say it was good because of their mental condition. If they lack ethics, they might say anything for a price.

Skip the Harrington. Holiday Inn on Cap. Hill is okay, although that area at night isn't entirely cozy, but it isn't bad either. Try the Rosslyn Courtyard -- convenient to Metro but cheaper than across the river. I'd mention Crystal City but I think it's a monstrous place. Convenient but monstrous.

My husband stayed at the Harrington last December - it IS cheap, but he seconds, thirds and fourths all the above comments. He said it was dreary, dirty and in general awful.