Yotel Washington D.C.

Not bad! Would stay here again for work. I wish I got the name of the lady who helped me check in and check out was the sweetest – she saw me struggling with the kiosks and just called me over and took care of everything.

The whole shtick for the hotel is a cross between space station/super modern. Just know that they’re super committed to it with the names (like the deck for the rooftop bar and station crew for the employees). I didn’t mind and the whole lighting in the room took me less than a minute to figure out. That said, on my last day, the lighting fixture seemed stuck on “Purple/Red.” I was about to leave (and resolved the problem by just opening the blinds for some natural light), but if I was staying longer, I’d be mildly annoyed.

The room was a little small by DC standards (so palatial by NYC measures). I liked that you could adjust the height of the top of the bed. Basic amenities, good shower setup. I’d probably bring my own shampoo/conditioner next time, the Urban Jungle bottles they provided dried out my hair. The temperature/pressure of the shower could be a lot better.

Free coffee/water/ice on every floor by the elevators. Didn’t get to try the gym or the breakfast/restaurant. I bring ear plugs and an eye mask every time I travel, so can’t speak to how loud everything was at night but I will say I woke up, parched, at around 1am and got up to get a cup of water – it was completely quiet on my floor at least.

I saw some reviews about the sketchiness of the neighborhood – I didn’t have any issues whatsoever. You’re right by Union Station and a ton of other hotels/office buildings.

My friend and I decided to take a weekend trip out of New York City for Labor Day weekend. She did some research and found this hotel that also has a pool because she knows how much I love a hotel with a pool 🙂 I’ve always wanted to go to Yotel located in Manhattan, but never got a chance to so I am glad she found one there in DC. I took my son along with us as well and he was so excited. Upon arrival I immediately started taking pictures lol.

The lobby area was clean and nice with a sitting area. They have a nice little coffee machine if you need your caffeine fix for purchase and the bar/restaurant over to your far right upon entering. There’s also a vending machine with snacks for purchase. Of course our room was not ready because check in time is 3 o’clock which I still don’t understand why hotels have that rule? You’re practically wasting the whole day. We were told by the front desk clerk that there is a room ready but we would have to pay a $50 early check-in fee..When we got that information my friend and I looked at each other and said that made absolutely zero sense if there’s a room ready and we are here why can’t we check in? Why do we have to pay an extra $50? We did not pay the extra because it doesn’t make any sense. That was the only negative I have on this hotel. We were able to leave our bags while we rome around to kill time until our “” room was ready””

After our walk around the area we finally came back to the hotel to check into our room. We were located on the sixth floor. As we walked into our room everything looked exactly like the pictures on there site which I appreciate and love. I honestly loved everything about the room besides the view……there was none hence, the reason I kept the curtain closed the entire weekend. I love the reclining bed and I actually want to purchase one for myself in my own home. There was a little control on the desk next to our beds that controls the lights in the room and we were able to change the lights to different colors which I am a big fan of.

The bathroom was great and my favorite part. besides the lights in our hotel room have to be the power button to turn the shower on and off. I mean it doesn’t get any better than that. The water temperature was already set so just to be able to push a button and have the shower come on was the best thing since sliced bread. I am definitely going to invest in that when I purchase my home. There was a nice size TV and a small mini fridge available in the room. I do wish that a microwave would’ve been included for late night eats in our room.

Down the hall was the complimentary ice machine and coffee maker which I went to check out. I got a cup of ice to cool my warm drink but instead I begin to snack on the little nugget sized ice cubes and let me tell you that was the best ice I have ever eaten in life no lie l. My son tasted it and he he wanted his own cup. I tried to convince my friend to try it but she politely refused, but then ended up getting it the following night lol. She agreed with me when I said the ice nuggets was great. I need a ice machine like that. Where can I buy it? Seriously I’ve never tasted soft ice if that’s a good way to describe it (: It was just great to munch on like a little snack.

The pool area was fairly nice lots of sitting areas, but because of the hot sun you’d want to stay in a shaded area, which was near to none lol.. there were also cabanas there, but from what I was told and the research my friend did they are super expensive. We didn’t eat at the restaurant within the hotel, but we did decide to have a drink at the bar in the lobby. Our mixologist James was super cool. I asked him if he could make us an Amaretto Sour and he did and he said we were able to take it back to our room which was pretty cool only because I had my son there with me and he’s only nine lol. Overall, I really enjoyed my stay there and I do intend on going back. I do recommend.

Super thin walls/windows, can hear TV/cough/convo as if there in the same room. Never experienced anything like this before.

Good from far, but far from good. The bad:

-if your coming for the pool, you will be disappointed. They do not allow you to bring drinks or food. Which makes no sense because if you spend money to stay here you should be able too.
-the food at the pool is trash and expensive.
-the cabanas are $500. This is ridiculously and not even in Miami is it this much. Crazy.
-check in early/checkout late is an automatic $50 which is charged via self check in. No way around it.
-rooms are small
-no umbrellas for the pool so if you want to sit in 100 degree weather with no shade this might be your place

The good:
-art and soul restaurant. Which you can come regardless if you stay at the hotel or not.

They truly need to re-group and re-think what is logical and practical. Such a disappointment.

I don’t leave bad reviews but im making an exception for Yotel. i book here for business and I’ve never had a positive experience. There is ALWAYS some sort of issue with billing, most recently I was double charged. Customer service is incredibly slow and dismissive. For a four star hotel, stay someone where they value customers