1917 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington DC, United States | (888) 822-7560
Clean rooms include microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and iPod stereos
Free Wi-Fi and hot breakfast buffet
24-hour business center and guest laundry room
24-hour fitness center
Free shuttle service within two miles (limited schedule)
On-site convenience store
Suites with sofa beds available
Affordable parking compared to most DC hotels
Daily fee for parking
No on-site restaurant or room service
Located in an uninviting neighborhood with no subway nearby
Over three miles from the National Mall and downtown attractions
The five-floor, 126-room Hotel Arboretum has a mediocre location along a six-lane road in Northeast DC, but it’s a solid value for those trying to avoid the expense of downtown hotels. Highlights include clean and spacious rooms, a free breakfast buffet, and convenient amenities like a fitness center and small convenience store. Just note that business travelers that don't need highway proximity can often find downtown hotels in this price range; it may be worth comparing rates with The Dupont Circle Hotel.
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Scene
Generic but comfortable hotel, right off busy New York Avenue
Located next to New York Avenue -- a busy and gritty six-lane road frequented by commuters heading in and out of Maryland -- the Hotel Arboretum is surrounded by other hotels, fast-food chains, a gas station on the corner, and a nearby police station. The area can feel a bit rough, but the vibe inside the hotel is relaxed and welcoming. The decor in the lobby is generic and uninspired, with beige walls, tile floors, and fake plants. Lots of guests flock to the free breakfasts and morning shuttle service (families are the predominant clientele), so early risers may find that mornings in the lobby can be hectic.
Location
Situated off busy Route 50 (New York Avenue), a 15-minute drive from Capitol Hill
Hotel Arboretum is located in Northeast DC, just off of I-95 and Route 50. Without any subway service nearby, guests have to rely on buses, taxis, or their own cars to get into the heart of the city (where parking is often challenging). Major tourist attractions like Capitol Hill and the National Mall are about 15 minutes away by car. Fast-food restaurants and urban sprawl surround the immediate area, but the tranquil U.S. National Arboretum is an eight-minute walk away. A free hotel shuttle runs within two miles, but the schedule is limited.
Rooms
Clean rooms with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and microwaves
Each of the 126 rooms and suites at the Hotel Arboretum includes a microwave, mini-fridge, flat-screen TV, iPod compatible bedside stereo, and coffeemaker. Rooms are fairly spacious and clean, but the decor is generic and uninspiring. Other than red accent walls, everything is decorated in bland shades of beige, brown, and white. Rooms come with two queen beds or one king bed. Suites also include a wet bar and a separate living area with a sofa bed. Rooms in the back are reportedly quieter than rooms in the front, and all rooms are non-smoking.
Features
24-hour fitness center and business center
Hotel Arboretum isn’t fancy, but it has plenty of convenient features. Highlights include a 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour business center, and a small lobby convenience store. Guests can also take advantage of free extras like a hot breakfast buffet, property-wide Wi-Fi, and a free shuttle to various locations within a two-mile radius (hours are limited and the shuttle can fill up fast, so book ahead). There’s also a guest laundry room, dry cleaning services, meeting rooms, free morning newspapers, and a basketball hoop in the parking lot.