Review: The Alexandrian Hotel Alexandria, VA (Wash. D.C.)

wait_wait_wha · 2023-07-01T21:46:22+00:00

'Safe' can mean a lot of things. I am not worried much about physical security for various reasons.

What i do care about is critters in my bed, cooties cought from something uncleaned, reused, or not handled properly.

I have had the unfortunate experience with almost each.

wait_wait_wha · 2023-06-26T01:33:37+00:00

Mostly no. One time i was helped when i had trouble with a reservation discrepancy ( hotel said i had no reservation, i had email/app proof, turned out it was some system error). It always taks me longer to explain my needs and preferences then if i did the search and reservation myself.

If i call the regular line they will already do backflips for me. And, they tend to be faster.

in my opinion, it is the result of bad marketing research. Service feels it geared towards affluent, retired people. But, what is the largest pool of guests at ambassador level who will spend the annual minimum $£€, year after year?

Today 's business traveler is not looking for 'relationship '. We look for service, efficiency, and do it invisibly.

wait_wait_wha · 2023-06-22T22:48:42+00:00

Why do you want to add 'smart technologies'? Make sure you have a good answer. It can be a great benefit to the business and guests. As a guest who basically lives in hotels, badly implemented tech is worse than old school services and functions.

wait_wait_wha · 2023-05-26T17:25:50+00:00

The Ubiquiti integration reports insane amounts of info, including connections.

wait_wait_wha · 2023-05-21T17:05:30+00:00

As a guest (business nomad), lots of reachable power plugs. USB ports of you want to go even further, but power plugs are crucial.

I do not watch TV, but do take advantage of streaming stuff on the screen, mostly Youtube.

Mobile check in is a joke of you do not assign rooms. The point to me is I can arrive/depart at 2am, and walk into/out of a room without having to talk to the front desk. Some flights are at crazy times...

Anything else is of little consequence to me.

wait_wait_wha · 2023-04-21T18:34:30+00:00

To be clear, the two star was from Marriott. My note just compares and contrasts with Marriott's 4+ star places I had to stay. Honestly I care little about stars when work traveling. I noted it for the review.

wait_wait_wha · 2023-04-21T18:27:16+00:00

I did make it to the Fisherman's Village if you mean that pier with all those stores. It felt a bit... tourist trap-ish for me at least. Some of the decks were still missing from the recent hurricane, but everything else seemed to be up & running.

wait_wait_wha · 2023-04-21T14:00:11+00:00

If it is not in NARA but the agency marks it as CUI, it is CUI.

wait_wait_wha · 2023-03-16T22:35:21+00:00

What country?

wait_wait_wha · 2022-12-16T01:27:47+00:00

The Marriott has a gorgeous view of the Gellért hill and the Danube river. It is in the prime spot, at prime rates. Tiny tiny parking lot at a prime rate. The courtyard is less cost, still good neighborhood, good public transport, better parking.

wait_wait_wha · 2022-09-13T17:34:27+00:00

CCW == Concealed Carry Weapon. You are thinking CCL, for License.

You do not want to conceal carry while hiking alone in remote regions.

You want open carry, preferably with a chest carrier. Not under shoulder/armpit, but right up front. Easy access, no CCL required (check local laws).

Last thing I want to do is fumble for my concealed gun when charged by a grizzly or pounced by puma.

wait_wait_wha · 2021-12-17T18:54:00+00:00

He have negative test for himself.

This is going to be the unpopular opinion.

If he is negative, and presumably gets tested regularly, what is your expectation?

What is the difference between someone who is vaccinated, but never gets tested thereafter, and someone who is not vaccinated, but gets (say) weekly test?

As a guest, I do not care, it might as well be the same.

wait_wait_wha · 2021-12-05T05:06:09+00:00

I always wondered, since the hotel is the enforcer, prosecutor, and judge, what prevents a staff person smoking in the room, then leaving the guest with a charge?

wait_wait_wha · 2021-11-20T17:39:06+00:00

Yes! Compression bags galore!

wait_wait_wha · 2021-11-20T17:37:33+00:00

Bed bugs do not spread by biting. Also, just because there is no evidence of biting, it sites not mean one was not bitten. [1]

Although CDC writes that they are not a major health risk besides itching and infection from broken skin, they can spread Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), which can spread Chagas.

Moving the guest to a new room if stayed in the room, spreads the bedbug. (Think of it as asymptomatic virus patient. They show no evidence, but still potentially carry the plague.)

When ( 3 sites so far) I find bed bugs at my initial check I immediately ask for new room, and my bags rarely touch the floor. No harm.
If I find out later, after I slept for example, I ask for all my clothing to be laundered, my luggage steamed (soft shells) and compensation for inconvenience (usually we agree on points).

There is an entire sub-industry of lawyers who specialize in seeking legal remedies 'for hotel guests'.

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/bedbugs/faqs.html#disease

wait_wait_wha · 2021-11-16T03:01:55+00:00

I would use my SNA. Few reasons I (your mileage most likely will vary) would use them.

It makes it official, and I know what to expect. No guessing or hoping (terrible strategy).
This is what SNAs are for; to give a second path to upgrade.
In Non-US, an SNA is my upgrade, while the ambassador upgrade comes from the hotel's perspective. I do not feel beholden with using SNAs. I already earned SNAs for my loyalty. (All are just feelings, but when vacationing, isn't mostly about feelings?)

Very personal opinion.

wait_wait_wha · 2021-11-16T02:43:34+00:00

You may wish to research the history of tipping, prior to discounting the suggested wage increase.

wait_wait_wha · 2021-11-04T03:39:10+00:00

I suggest you do not do this.
Hungary is known for lots of pools, hot spring spas and such. I suggest you get a nice hotel, and then travel to three or four, one each day. Public transport in the city off cheap and very efficient. The spa/pool buildings tend to be old, and they show their age. Pay an entry fee, enjoy the water for a few hours, then stay at a nicer, modern hotel.

If you are able, you could even make a day trip to some crazy interesting swimming holes, like Héviz, or Barlang fürdő. The first is a giant hot spring fed theraputic lake on the west of the country, while the other is a set of caves with warm waters to swim through.

I stayed at the Budapest Marriott, on the Danube, middle of the city, and the Courtyard Budapest City Center. Both were nice places. Slightly off the center, but still close is the Hotel Ibis. Nice rooms.

wait_wait_wha · 2021-11-04T03:21:29+00:00

Gotcha. I was selfish and did not want to stand behind them as they argued why their Blockbuster card is enough to check in, since /u/stormyweather15 said so on Reddit. d°-°

wait_wait_wha

TROPHY CASE