I visited Washington DC for business and stayed at the Renaissance. The company paid $200 per night.

If you are arriving at Reagan National Airport and you do not have much luggage, head straight on to the Metro station (subway) and catch the Yellow line (to Fort Totten). The subway will take you straight downtown. exit at the Chinatown/Galleria stop and you can resurface on 9th street. the hotel is a couple of blocks north on 9th and H st. (numbered st going N-S and lettered st going E-W) If you travel outside of rush hours, it's $1.35 for the trip.

On weekdays, the place is primarily for business travelers. I didn't see much in terms of families with small children. so it's quiet. the swimming pool is under renovation (during my stay around 6/08) Typical business hotel as seen in neon lights 9instead of incandescent) in the bathroom. the room is clean and a copy of USA Today is delivered every morning. there weren't really any features that make it distinct (like Embassy Suites layout and full breakfast)

Bring a good pair of walking shoe if you like to explore on foot. I saw a lot of kids with flip flops; those are not very comfortable for long walks. Some good chain restaurants nearby (Ruth's Steakhouse, McCormick and Schmick, Starbucks for your caffein fix, etc.) or you can walk to the Amtrak Union Station by the US Capitol and try B. Smith restaurant (if you prefer a non-chain restaurant) inside the station there are lots of fast food places.

Had to stay at the Renaissance WDC for a conference and booked the 'club' floor. Having just stayed at the Renaissance LAX, I thought I'd be getting something extra special on the club floor. No chance, tiny room. No instructions or directions on how to use the club lounge... nothing. A waste of money. I doubt I would recommend the hotel for any reason, it was without doubt, impersonal to the point of diffidence. Certainly NOT the experience I'd had at the LAX property which I cannot recommend highly enough.

My wife and I stayed a week at the Renaissance in June, 2008 on a sightseeing tour of Washington DC. If I could think of anything negative at all to say it would be that there was a lot of noise from the street below our room from traffic. Every other aspect of our stay was fantastic. The room was exceptionally clean and well appointed. The housekeeping staff did a great job every day. Every single employee was cheerful and friendly. They all greeted us each time we came and went with a smile and a hello. They were all helpful and made it seem as though we were sincerely appreciated. There were 3 metro stations within 3 blocks of the hotel, all within an easy 5 minute walk. There were many restaurants nearby and a movie theatre about 4 blocks away in China Town. The hotel is located close to all the major museums and the national mall. Only 5 blocks from the White House. Parking was 22 dollars per day. We never moved our car all week. The concierge was friendly and very helpful. All the things I had read about the hotel being located in a bad neighborhood was totally wrong. We walked all over the neighborhood both day and night and never once felt uneasy or nervous about our safety. We saw about 3 homeless folks at different times in doorways asleep, but there were police everywhere. There are tons of business people walking the sidewalks all the time and we felt quite safe. All in all we were well pleased and would reccomend the Renaissance to anyone wishing to stay in Downtown DC.

We booked the Renaissance last minute for a business training that my husband was attending, and I tagged along for a mini-vacation.

The hotel is clearly geared towards business and convention but was just fine for a mini vacation as well. The pool is closed for renovation, as is the fitness center, but a mini-gym has been set up to take the place of the latter.

We booked for $170 a night on Priceline. If we had paid more I might've been annoyed with our room location (on the 2nd floor, with a very odd view into the in interior lobby, and a long LONG walk from the elevators). The room was very clean.

The hotel is a few blocks walk away from the Red Line Gallery/Chinatown metro stop. Also a straight walk down 9th to the National Mall. A "Five Guys" burger joint (amazing, about as delicious a cheap burger as can be had beat only by In-N-Out in CA) is close by, as are many other moderate to high end restaurants. I wouldn't want to walk around the area at night, say after 9, but during the day it was just fine.

I would give the Renaissance 3.5 stars if possible. I chose 4 because the room was very clean, staff were polite, and location was good. The only downsides were the slightly sterile/business-like qualities of the place.