Just returned from our 3rd stay within two years at the Courtyard Dunn Loring-- we are still just as pleased with this hotel as our first visit.

The hotel is very convenient to the Dunn Loring metro stop which is just a block away across a parking lot. A day pass is only $7.25, and the trains are frequent and the system is easy to navigate. (30 minutes to Smithsonian station)

A secured parking garage is available to hotel guests with direct access to the hotel elevators.

The hotel has a small gym (although they do offer a free pass to a nearby full-service gym) and pool/whirlpool with a lifeguard. A business center and mini-food mart are available in the lobby.

All employees that we were in contact with were very helpful and friendly, and room preferences were accommodated. A Marriott Rewards rate of $67 was available for Thurs-Sunday nights, although the rate skyrockets to the mid-$200s during weeknights.

One thing to note about the hotel is that there are no restaurants/shopping within walking distance. There are groceries and restaurants about a mile down Gallows Rd. or Lee Hwy, but nothing in the immediate area (hotel is surrounded by apartments/condos and office buildings).

We booked two rooms at the Courtyard Dunn Loring November 19 - 22 (checked out on Thanksgiving). One room was for my husband and me and the other was for my parents. The purpose of our trip was to sightsee around DC, but we decided to avoid (1) the often outrageous DC hotel prices and (2) all the "extras" such as daily parking and internet fees. This hotel was perfect for DC sightseeing. Here's the run down:

OVERALL:
We got a $99/night rate that included the full buffet breakfast each day (booked right from the website). Free internet and free, secure/gated parking. The only area I would say was "lacking" was the front desk hospitality. It wasn't bad, just not as warm as one would hope for.

BREAKFAST:
The breakfast buffet was terrific and wait staff gracious -- especially Maria from Guatamala. For $9.95 (ours was included), you could have a full breakfast buffet each day (offered 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.). It included, for example, eggs, biscuits with gravy option, bacon, sausage, potatoes, fresh waffles, omelet station, grits, fresh fruit, yogurt, assortments of breads and pastries, cereal, etc. It includes coffee and juice, too. It's a great deal and a perfect start to a full day of sightseeing.

ROOMS/PARKING:
We had two adjoining rooms. The elevators in the parking garage would take you directly to your room. The rooms were spacious and clean. I frequently stay at Courtyard while traveling on business and have had varying experiences; this was at the top of the list. Our king room had a spacious bathroom with counter space and a small living area with a pull out sofa, a fridge, great desk, self-controlled thermostat, and a window that opens. Carpet, furniture upholstery and linens were clean. My parents had a room with two queens, so it didn't have a living area but it did have a single arm chair in addition to the desk chair.

LOBBY/BUSINESS CENTER:
The lobby was lovely and spacious. Lots of chairs, tables, and sofas for lounging and a nice gas fireplace.

There's also a "Market" area in the lobby where you can pick up (24 hours a day) various snacks, beer, wine, water, etc.

From 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm they open a little lobby "bar" where you can have assorted cocktails.

The business center was inside the lobby area and had two computers and a few other various items. Great for checking email or making sightseeing plans if you don't feel like bringing your laptop.

LOCATION/PROXIMITY TO DC:
The location/proximity to DC could not have been more convenient. Since my elderly parents were with us, after reading the review of another traveler stating that the Metro was not very close, I was worried. We decided to brave it however and it was the right choice. The Metro could not have been closer. While you couldn't throw a rock and hit it, it was a long sidewalk away from the hotel (maybe a tenth of mile, two tenths at the most). My father's health is not great and he is very overweight, but he did not have a problem. I took a photo from our room window that shows the distance and will try to get around to uploading it here. The Metro system is super easy to use, safe, clean and inexpensive. I suggest printing out a color Metro map from the website and keeping it with you. Or, you can get one at the station when you arrive. The people who work at the station will assist you if you need help knowing where to go, how to use the machines, etc. Each day we took the Dunn Loring stop (where you stay) to the Smithsonian Metro stop; it was a quick 30 minute ride. The hotel is situated on the Dunn Loring stop on the Orange Line. The closest transfer station is Rosslyn and then Metro Center. For the novices, if the stop you need to get to is on another line, you simply get off at a transfer station and "transfer" to a train on the line you want. The trains are named for the last stop on each line in the direction you're traveling. That's how you know if you are going in the right direction (which is why you should have the Metro map). It's $3.15 one way from Dunn Loring to the Smithsonian stop and the train let's you off at the stop in front of the Smithsonian Castle. We didn't even have to transfer at a transfer stop.

The Dunn Loring Courtyard also has plenty of restaurants and shopping nearby if you need something to do in the evening. We ate at the Chevy's (which I don't recommend) and some American Grill in the Tyson's Corner mall that was fabulous. If you like Mexican food, there's a Mexican restaurant (Chipotle) at the Tyson's Corner mall, too.

CONS:
Aside from the lacking front desk hospitality, the only other thing I would mention is that the Courtyard Restaurant was closed the night before Thanksgiving without any warning except for a flier on the check-in desk which we did not see because we had already checked in. We came downstairs to have dinner on Wednesday evening only to find the restaurant closed in observance of Thanksgiving. It was a bit inconvenient because we did not feel like going out, but we did get some take-out menus from the front desk and had some light dinner delivered. I should also mention that there is no safe in the room. In light of another review that said the traveler got his/her laptop stolen, I decided to lock our valuables in our car each day. While not ideal, I figured at least they were insured that way and locked up.

For my recent trip to DC I was looking for 4 things in a hotel.
1. Reasonable rates
2. Good neighborhood
3. Close to a metro stop
4. free parking
I found all of this at the Courtyard. The weekend rates were very reasonable for the area. Sure I could have booked something cheaper, but I foud that either the reviews weren't so good at the cheaper hotels or the price of parking made up the difference. I booked a room with a king bed and a sofa sleeper. This was perfect for me, my husband and 6 year old child. The room was spacious and very clean. We were provided with a small refridgerator, iron, coffee maker, hair dryer, and shampoo, conditioner and lotion. I would have liked for the TV to have more channel choices (Like Disney) but this hotel was designed for business travelers, not chldren.
The staff at the hotel was very friendly and helpful. The pool was small, but did have a lifeguard on duty. The breakfast was well worth the 9.95 price. The standard continental breakfast was offered along with eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles and made to order omlets.
The hotel was just a short (and safe) walk to the metro station. It's true that there weren't many restaurants withing walking distance, but a short drive took you to Tysons Corner Mall and several good restaurant choices. Another short drive towards the interstate took you to several more restaurants.
My family has stayed at this hotel twice and will do so again in the future.

I stayed at the Courtyard because it is so near Metro. You can walk across the street and be on the platform in five minutes. This was helpful to me since I was involved in activities in Washington and elsewhere along the Orange Line.

The room was clean and I liked the mattress. I slept much longer than I intended each day, but that was a good thing since I was relaxed and able to enjoy the morning.

Anyone who has a car or is familiar with riding Metro should consider staying here. The limitation is that there are not a lot of things to do nearby, so you need to plan for that prior to arriving at the hotel with no food. There is a small convenience area in the lobby to buy snacks and drinks if you need to, though.

I will definitely stay here again when I return to Washington.