2002 April 13 

• Checked in this day around 3:00 p.m. I have a $50.00 off coupon for two weekend nights. I will pay $69 times 2  minus $50.00 plus tax. Still paying more than I would for the Homestead Studio Suites through Hotwire.Com but for an extra $25.00 I figure what the heck. I'd like to stay at my favorite hotel. (Come Monday I will regret this decision)

• I have room 1124. Great front view. They have a one-liter bottle of water available for consumption. The cost is $4.50. I'd rather walk 15 feet to the soda machine and buy a 20 ounce bottle of soda for $1.50. Or drink free water from the spigot.

• Web TV keyboard is available. Could not access any menu to allow me to purchase the service. A call to the front desk on Saturday got me no result whatsoever. (See below). (Working in room 1128 on 12/8/02).

• Local Calls still $1.00

• Movies are $11.00 and up. They also have the Bubble Boy episode of Seinfeld for about $6.00.

• A limited cable TV is available. 

• The cotton swabs, q-tips, and sewing kit are gone. (Back in room 1128 on 12/8/02). They do have Neutrogena shampoo, conditioner, and lotion.

• The book which list the local services and hotel information has been upgraded. It has thick paper and a cushioned binder.

Why would I regret staying here. While it is not a big deal as problems with hotels go I do have a complaint. My complaint is that the hotel did not respond to my request for a service call. The time of my request and knowing it was not acted on prevented me from contacting a manager to correct the problem. 

On Sunday morning I noticed a problem with the shower not draining fast enough. I do not like standing in my dirty bath water while showering. I called the front desk, "Guest Services", to report a slow drain in the shower.  I also reported that I could not access the Web TV. I was told someone would be by to fix these problems. I left for the day. When I got back to the room late Sunday night I still had no Web TV. Monday morning I was still standing in my filthy bath water. This is B.S. There was no message for me telling me it could not be fixed. No one stopped by my room. 

Sadly I must say that I no longer believe this is the best value in Fairfax County.  (The previous feeling is no longer true as of 12/8/02. They are back on top.) While it has a beautiful suite. Plenty of room. A great location in Herndon. There are changes in the facility that turned me off. This hotel holds many fond memories for me but it is time to move on. Now I am not saying I will never stay here again. Far from it! What I am saying is that on my list of hotels when there are similar prices. This hotel is now low on the list. For example, a weekend rate of $69 here and a $49 rate at the TownePlace Suites-Chantilly makes me chose the latter. Even if the rates are the same I would probably stay at the TownePlace. (The previous feeling is no longer true as of 12/8/02. They are back on top.)

View of room from just inside door. To left is the wet bar an the bathroom door. To the right sofa and desk. Behind me is the door to the hallway.