We booked on Priceline and were under the impression that a three-star hotel (as it was listed) would be a little nicer. They didn't give us our bed preference and no one was around to take our bags to our room.
That said, the room was generally clean and parking in the deck below was convenient.

Perfect location near the Capitol and the Mall. Parking underground. Friendy and efficient staff. This is a top class Holiday Inn. Rooms big and in top class condition. Good breakfast nice bar and a starbucks on ground floor. Did'nt get a chance to tray the Smitzionian restraunt but it looked good. Located near all the museums and especially the Air and Space Museum - dont miss it . The Hotel is right beside a Metro station. Look no further for a superb place to stay in Washington

My family of five (children ages 6, 10, and 13, wife and I ) stayed here the fisrt week in April 2008. I chose the hotel based on location (and reviews here) and would PROBABLY go back.
Most previous reviews are very accurate : excellent location; central to most attractions; close to The L'Enfant Metro and the Smithsonian Air and Space. The restaurant food... well, it never lured us in. Looked at the menu ... most meals were over $20 and the "kids eat free" breakfast was "with a paying adult" and whether the 2 adults (possibly 3, with our 13 year-old) ate at the buffet ($9.99 each) or ordered from the menu ($7.00 and up, plus drinks) ... would have run us over $30 either way.

Having Starbucks in the lobby was great !!! They are open 5:30 AM to 9 PM !!! (A friend had given me a $40 Starbucks gift card at Christmas, I brought it along and the kids LOVED hot chocolate after a chilly night out ... and I loved coffee in the morning !!!)
The McDonald's is right next door and is open 6 AM to 10 PM.
There is also a Quiznos steps away (open until 8 PM).
Folks, Starbucks has one door opening into the lobby and the other door to the Street. Quizno's and McDonalds require walking outside but are in the same large building (without crossing the street). For variety, you can try Cafe 529 but they and most other Capital restaurants within a few blocks close between 4:30 PM and 6 PM.

The only pool is outside (top floor) and is closed until May. Too cold to swim.

The room is NOT oversized. With two double beds, the extra rollaway bed we got (a single or full-size) would barely fit between the window and the next bed. Certainly no room anywhere else. The refridgerator was nice ... ice-chest sized. No microwave. Did have a coffee pot in room.

I'm sorry to say that the train IS a factor. I heard it several times and we were on the COURT_YARD side which I knew to request from this website and other reviews. It never WOKE me up, but if I were awake (whether 12 MN or 5 AM) I could hear it and it was noticeable. I would NOT have wanted to be on the train side !!!

The biggest problem I had with this hotel was the add-ons. Our reservations were for 5 and the max. capacity was 5, but when I called down the fisrt night to REMIND them again to bring the roll-away bed they informed it would be another $15/night charge. Well, that was in addition to the $25/ day car parking fee, which I knew about ... but still, after paying nearly $300/night for a room for 5 I kinda felt like I had already PAID for my 5th person. And my parking space.

In terms of value, I have stayed at MUCH nicer hotels for less (than $300/night). I have stayed at Holiday Inn Express' (elsewhere) with 2 more comfortable queen beds for half the price. I'm SURE the cost is more because it is Washington, DC ... it's a great location, and we were there during prime season (spring break, Cherry Blossum Festival). This hotel
for $139 or less (as I saw some people got) would be a steal !!!

If I were to do it agian, I would look VERY CLOSELY for a nice Embassy Suites or other more roomy hotel within walking distance of the attractions. If I could not find an alternative, I would stay there (Holiday Inn Capital) again.

I would also recommend to anyone going to Washington to familiarize yourself with the Metro subway stations early on in your experience. We walked more than we needed to when $1.35 per person will get you from Foggy Bottom to L'enfant Plaza.

If you use the Metro more, it's not as important to be close to the Capital or to the White House. Just be close to the nearest Metro station !!!

We stayed at the Holiday Inn during the week of Easter. It was very crowded in DC at this time, but the Hotel was in an excellent location. Close to Metro, the Mall and it had a Quisnos and McDonalds just down the street. The room was an average room, but it was very clean and well maintained. We were not on the railroad side, so we had no problem with the noise as others have complained. We were not as fortunate to get the $99 a night special, I imagine it was because that is the busy season, and had to pay twice the price. But we did have breakfast included which was a big plus. They have a superb breakfast buffet! We didn't try any other meals at the Hotel so can't give a rating on that. Overall, we had a great stay and if we return to DC in the future we will stay at the Holiday Inn Capitol because of it's convenient location.