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Summary of reviewsThe American Inn of Bethesda is highly praised for its prime location, which is a major highlight for many guests. Conveniently situated near the NIH and Walter Reed, it offers easy access to a plethora of restaurants, stores and metro stations, making it a strategic choice for visitors. The area is described as safe and quiet, contributing to a restful environment and the hotel's necessary amenities, such as free parking and in-room air conditioning, add to the convenience.
Guests appreciate the friendly and professional staff with specific mentions of individuals who go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. The morning front desk, in particular, receives accolades for being responsive and helpful.
Regarding the accommodations, opinions on the rooms are mixed. Some guests enjoy clean and comfortable rooms with amenities that meet basic needs. Comfortable beds and pillows are often highlighted as contributing to a good night's sleep. However, the cleanliness of the rooms and the hotel itself tends to be inconsistent with multiple reports of issues such as dirty carpets, musty smells and unmaintained bathrooms.
The breakfast offering, a grab-and-go format, receives varied responses. While some find it convenient, others are disappointed by the limited selection and portion size, feeling it falls short of a full meal.
In summary, the American Inn of Bethesda excels in location and customer service, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious travelers and short-term stays. However, it faces recurring challenges in maintaining consistent cleanliness and room condition, which prospective guests should be aware of. Show more
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Categories
Hotel near Golf Courses
With a location just 1 mile from Columbia Country Club, this inn provides excellent access to a prominent golf facility. It is also a short drive from other well-known golf courses in the Bethesda area.
Business Hotel
Accessible Hotel
Hotel with Gym
3-Star Hotel
Room Types
Queen RoomThis room features one queen bed.
Double Room with Two Double BedsThis room features 2 double beds.
Double Room with Two Double Beds - South WingLocated in the South Wing building, this spacious room features free high-speed internet, a cable TV and a large closet. The en suite bathroom offers a hairdryer and premium toiletries.
Please note, the South Wing building is located on the grounds of the property and is connected to the main building by an open-air corridor. Please note, there is no elevator access to the rooms in the South Wing building.
Standard Queen RoomOffering free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The air-conditioned double room offers a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a safe deposit box, tumble dryer as well as a quiet street view. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
5.3
Rated
Location
The American Inn of Bethesda boasts a prime location that receives consistent praise from its guests. Situated conveniently within Bethesda, it is particularly noted for its close proximity to the NIH and Walter Reed, making it an excellent choice for visitors to these institutions. Guests appreciate the hotel's walkable distance to numerous restaurants and metro stations, which provide easy and quick access to the city center and Washington, DC.
The surrounding area offers a variety of dining options and stores, enhancing the overall convenience of the stay. The inn's location near downtown Bethesda is considered both safe and quiet, ensuring a restful environment. Guest testimonials frequently highlight the cleanliness of the rooms and the value for money offered by the hotel.
Additionally, visitors commend the friendly and accommodating staff, as well as the essential amenities like free parking, air conditioning and USB chargers in the rooms. Despite some mixed feelings on certain aspects, the American Inn of Bethesda remains a strong choice for those seeking a well-located, comfortable and reasonably priced place to stay in the Bethesda area.
Breakfast
American Inn of Bethesda offers a breakfast option that has sparked varied responses from guests. The service is a grab-and-go format with items packed into a brown paper bag. Typical contents include a small yogurt, mini-muffin, a piece of fruit such as an apple or orange and a small bottle of water. Some guests found this approach convenient, noting the availability of coffee machines in the rooms.
However, others felt that the limited selection did not meet their expectations for a proper breakfast. Common critiques described it as a snack rather than a meal, highlighting the small portion sizes and lack of variety. Guests often had to request the breakfast bag in the morning and it was only available during a specific window of time.
The shift from a previously well-regarded buffet to the current format has been attributed to changes necessitated by ongoing health concerns. Despite the mixed reactions, the inclusion of a quick breakfast option does offer some advantage for those on the go.
Rooms
Nestled in Bethesda, 'American Inn of Bethesda' offers rooms that evoke mixed reactions from visitors. Some guests find their accommodations clean and comfortable with a few even commenting on the comfort of the beds and pillows. The rooms, often characterized as small or tiny, provide basic necessities and can be described as nicely appointed, suitable for those on a budget.
However, many reviewers noted the need for significant maintenance and cleanliness improvements. Recurring issues include unpleasant odors, often attributed to old carpets or inadequate ventilation. Several rooms were described as very dirty with issues such as mold, unclean bedsheets and poorly maintained bathrooms contributing to an overall feeling of this. Instances of broken or missing items, as well as problems with the air conditioning and door key functionality, were also highlighted.
Despite these shortcomings, the hotel manages to meet some guests' basic accommodation needs, particularly for short-term stays. Ideally, future visitors should be prepared for varying room conditions and perhaps temper their expectations accordingly.
Beds
The beds at the 'American Inn of Bethesda' have received a range of feedback from guests. On the positive side, many visitors found the beds to be comfortable and clean with some highlighting the amazing and comfortable pillows, which contributed greatly to their restful sleep. The spacious beds and the overall comfort of the rooms were also noted favorably. However, not all experiences were impeccable; some guests encountered issues with the mattresses, describing them as filthy or akin to sleeping on a rock. Despite these concerns, the general consensus leans towards a comfortable stay, especially appreciated by those who enjoyed the clean and well-maintained bedding.
Cleanliness
American Inn of Bethesda offers guests mixed experiences when it comes to cleanliness. On a positive note, some visitors found the housekeeping to do a great job, leading to a few instances where guests described their rooms as nice and clean. One reviewer even mentioned being impressed with the cleanliness of their accommodation. Efforts to ensure clean rooms have been noted and appreciated by some guests.
However, the majority of the reviews highlighted significant cleanliness concerns. Many visitors reported dirty carpets, stained rugs and musty smells throughout the hotel. Issues such as mold on the walls, a dusty and pungent odor in the hallways and unclean bathtubs with rust and stains were common points of dissatisfaction. The presence of filth in entry areas, on windows and in bathrooms suggests that cleaning standards often fall short.
Compounding the problem, the cleaning crew reportedly missed servicing rooms for extended periods with some guests needing to clean their rooms themselves upon arrival. Stains on sheets and towels, dirty curtains and items left from previous guests further illustrate the inconsistency in maintaining hygiene.
While positive feedback highlights occasional successes in maintaining a clean environment, the recurring negative comments underscore the need for more consistent and thorough cleaning practices at the American Inn of Bethesda.
Staff
The reviews of the staff at the American Inn of Bethesda present a mixed picture, highlighting both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, many guests found the staff to be friendly, helpful and professional. Specifically, individuals like Angie, Katie and Patricia received praise for their exceptional service and willingness to assist guests, going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. The front desk in the morning often stood out as particularly excellent with staff members being described as responsive, thoughtful and knowledgeable.
However, there were also several instances where guests reported less favorable interactions. Some staff members were described as brusque, unkind or even unwelcoming. Issues such as the front desk being unattended, staff being preoccupied with personal activities like watching movies and general unfriendliness were also noted. These inconsistencies highlight that while the hotel does have some outstanding and dedicated staff, there are areas where service could be improved to ensure a consistently positive experience for all guests.
No, American Inn of Bethesda doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at American Inn of Bethesda.
No, American Inn of Bethesda doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at American Inn of Bethesda.