Austin G.
Yelp
For a two-night staycation, my wife, seven-year-old daughter and I checked into the Ritz-Carlton, one of Arlington's only luxury hotels. Right outside the Pentagon City Metro and connected to the Pentagon City Mall, here's our experience.
1) Check-In: With the app, it's easy. Our stay was in the app with all the details. Check in went smoothly. Upon check in, you can choose a mobile room key or physical key cards. Staff offered to help with our luggage.
Next to the check in desk is a Ritz Kids kiosk that my seven-year-old daughter enjoyed. After filling out a few questions, she was given a coloring pad, crayons, a scavenger hunt map, a stuffed animal, and gummy bears. "I feel like a princess," she said.
2) Rooms: We stayed on floor 18, the club access level, in a double bed room with views of D.C.'s monuments. We could see the Washington Monument, the National Cathedral, and nearby Air Force Memorial (in Arlington).
The room came with a desk, luggage stands, a closet, a small bathroom, a mini bar, and a snack bar for pay.
There were enough outlets and the bathroom came with a shaving kit, a dental kit, and more. The water pressure was great and the water can be turned to soft or hard.
For the three of us, the room's beds were small. Both moving around a lot, my daughter and I shared a bed and didn't sleep well. The second night we got a mattress for the floor so we each had a place to sleep.
3) Amenities: The hotel has a third floor gym with weights, machines, a sauna, and steam room in each changing room area. The pool was closed for renovation.
There's the Sante restaurant and bar on the ground level near meeting rooms.
The Club Lounge on the 18th floor offered five meal times throughout the day with quality food, views of the monuments, and plenty of tables to sit and read. They also had wine, drinks, and a candy bar.
In the lobby, there's a postcard area to send free postcard to friends and family.
The hotel offers valet service.
4) Service: The Ritz is know for the "Ritz-Carlton Way." Every staff member was genuinely friendly, remembering our names, and treating us like family. At every step, they offered to help. When we bought dumplings that needed to be frozen, they stored it in the hotel freezer for us.
Our daughter felt special throughout our stay. At dinner, the restaurant Sante placed a stuffed animal on her plate. The valet service let her pick a toy from their toy box. She loved staying here!
5) Area: It's near the Metro and the mall is connected with all types of shops and a food court. For good coffee, walk two blocks to Commonwealth Joe. The Metropolitan Park and Long Bridge Park are close with trails, public art, and views.
(Disclaimer: The hotel hosted our stay, but views are my own. They didn't ask for me to post.)