We stayed at The River Inn over Memorial Weekend and chose the hotel primarily for its excellent location in Foggy Bottom on a quiet street of row houses,walking distance to the Kennedy Center and Waterfront, Metro, Georgetown and Mall. I also needed to sleep 4 people (couple, and 2 singles) without breaking the bank for 2 rooms in a standard hotel. I booked directly with the hotel which was less expensive than the internet sites. The hotel's website is a bit confusing but useful to see options and rooms. The reservation staff were helpful although I had to call again to get my reservation confirmation e-mailed. I chose the 2 room suite,Washington DC package which included parking, 2 continental breakfasts daily, 2 vouchers for the trolley tour, and 2 metro passes. I don't usually choose packages but the parking and breakfasts made this an attractive package (compare with AAA rate and then add on what you would have to pay for parking and breakfast) By booking with the hotel I also asked for a really nice room which I got: large corner suite, 2 very comfortable doubles in bedroom, separate living room with sofabed, TV, coffee table, large desk, good lighting , many lamps, round table and kitchen. As mentioned in other reviews kitchen has 2 burners and no dishwasher and enough crockery /tableware and pans for 4,microwave, toaster, coffee grinder and beans/sugar/sweetener. We found everything clean and in working order except for the safe and the hairdryer in the bathroom. The maid came in and cleaned daily. We were given extra plentiful towel sets, plush white, not frayed. I borrowed 2 extra bowls from the small restaurant downstairs, as we self catered 2 main meals.
I liked the layout with a small vanity area outside the bathroom. The towelling robe and 2 warm throws were nice touches, as was the shoe shiner and large deep drawers in dresser in bedroom. Internet connection, wireless and cable,was free and available.
The front desk staff were helpful but rather busy and did not seem to know anything about the package I had booked . I had to ask for the breakfast coupons and was given extra. We were told that the coupons were for a continental breakfast but were able to get full breakfast,however on Memorial day there was only a skeleton staff in the restaurant and minimal continental breakfast available. When I asked for the trolley passes and Metro passes on Sunday they were still not available and I was told the trolley was not running on Sunday. At that point, I explained that as the passes were not available and I only had that day to use them, I would like to convert back to the cheaper rate and cancel the package. The manager was apologetic and took $170 dollars off the total bill which was an excellent deal considering we did not pay for breakfast or for parking for 2 days. I think they were understaffed for the vacation weekend but were trying to do their best.
In summary, I liked the location, price and suite arrangement and despite a few hassles would definitely stay there again.
Be very clear about what you are booking and getting.
Most of all enjoy DC.

The River Inn is a pretty recently updated hotel in the adorable, quiet neighborhood of Foggy Bottom, just 2.5 blocks to the Metro (Foggy Bottom/GWU on the Blue/Orange Line). I stayed with two other people for three nights in a nice-sized Corporate Suite, which includes a queen bed, sofabed, desk, flatscreen TV, kitchenette and dressing area outside the bathroom.

At first glance, the room is very, very nice and brand-new, as the photos on their Web site would have you expect. The furniture made the room look very modern. The dressing room had a large mirror and marble counter - this space really let us spread out. When you start looking around, through, three things give away the age of the building: the kitchenette, the bathroom and the curtains. The kitchenette was everything we needed for a quick stay, but the appliances were pretty old. Same for the bathroom - the glass shelf along the mirror made everything look modern and polished, but the fixtures just dated the place. The tiles in the shower needed a good cleaning. The towel bar was the kind with porcelain holder on either side of a plastic four-sided rod. My sister, who was traveling with me, and I agreed that it reminded us of the bathroom in our grandmother's house that was built in the 1950s. The room's curtains were tattered and frayed with holes in them.

Overall, the room was very clean and comfortable and a great value (under $200 a night). But just a few little updates could really take the room to the next level.

This hotel was chosen for my group, but I did like it at first. I stayed there 6 nights. The Corporate Suite is a large studio suite with a hidden kitchen behind a wall on which the other side is the bed. You walk into the hallway near the dressing area and the bathroom is on one side. The closet is on opposite side. Then the short hall opens into the bedroom. You see the bed and couch first. All along the back wall is a bank of windows with room darkening curtains. The windows open if you want. The A/C is controlled by a wall thermostat but blows out a unit under the windows. As you enter the room, to the side is the desk and then finally the kitchen tucked away. The TV is a wide format flat screen-probably 42 inches wide. The couch in the room was not used by me but I don't think it was a sofabed. There is also a chair but no ottoman. I had to drag it over to the bed and used the bed as a n ottoman once. The desk is nice and large with a free connection to wired Internet. But, bring your own cable - good thing I brought my own.
On first glance, the place looks wonderful. I was extremely happy with everything. Until I saw the stovetop in the kitchen - it was disgustingly filthy and geasy. I cleaned it up a bit before I cooked and kept hoping he maid would clean. But never was it cleaned.
The kitchen is almost complete. There is no oven or dishwasher. The refrigerator is quite old but did a cooling job for my many items, but only has ice bins for freezing your own ice cubes.
I cooked some of my meals to save money and not have to eat out a lot by myself. There is a Trader Joe's about two blocks that I walked to for great food. The bed was pretty comfortable and I am extremely picky - I can't sleep on hard beds. The towels were huge sheet size and fairly plush. Although I was surprised by this place offering some older towels that have ravelled seams and strings on the towels! The bathroom had a dressing area with long counter and cushioned seat for applying makeup. However, the lighting is horrible. There used to be an overhead light, but it was removed. The light switch is still there but nothing happens. This was the same complaint by all my other business colleagues staying there.
I used the large drawers in the dressing area for my things and that was a plus being right outside the bathroom and away from the windows. The sink is inside the bathroom and has no counter space other than a shelf above it. Watch your head though as you wash your face in the sink. The River Inn provides very nice robe to use as well as a throw blanket. There is a safe inside the closet but it didn't work - it was permanently locked in an open position. I wanted to use it but didn't bother complaining about it. I didn't want anyone in my room fiddling with it. It was bolted to the floor so they couldn't very well exchange it easily.
Walking to many things nearby is convenient and I felt very safe. I walked to Trader Joe's , 7-11, and the Metro station. Not too many restaurants nearby but I ate meals I prepared from Trader Joe's. I didn't eat in the on site restaurant but did enjoy a breakfast brought up for room service. It was good.
The room was quiest except for the night some nearby room's smoke alarm kept beeping all night. I called that night when I went to bed and someone came to my room to ask what I was hearing and he told me it was probably the elevtor. I pointed out that it WAS NOT the elevator but a smoke alarm beeping every 30 seconds or so. After he quit talking, he heard it and went in search for it. However, the next morning it was still beeping. I called again. The desk said the engineer couldn't locate it. Then after my second call, they found that it was in the room across from me. Fortunately, I travel with a humidifer that has a white noise sound to drown out the beeping. If I had continually heard it, I would have demanded they find it before I went to bed.

When I checked out, I complained only of the disgusting stovetop. The Manager overheard and gave me credit for my room service breakfast. That was the only charge that was my personal expense and not paid by my company. Now that I think about it and write this up, I wish I had asked for at least one night to be credited.

I took some pictures so you could see the room. I would stay there again if I got a better rate and the Homewood Suites wan't available.

Overall:
Nice features: !) kitchen behind the bed and living room area so you don't see it. 2) large towels. 3) coffee beans and coffee grinder in room. I didn't like their beans so bought my own fro Trader Joe. 4) Comfortable bed. 5) nice robe for my stay. 6) Room Service. 5) Large TV viewable from bed. 6) Trader Joe's two blocks within walking distance. 7) 7-1 about two blocks the other direction, toward the Metro station. 8) Neighborhood is great - you are in amongst row houses and the walk to everything is very nice. 9) Reasonable distance walk to the Kennedy Center. Kennedy Center has free concerts every night of the year. Mostly standing room but very entertaining. 10) Quiet room except for one night. 11) Courteous and helpful doormen who will go around the block and call a cab for you and bring it to the front door.

Disappointiing: 1) Disgusting stovetop. 2) Some worn towels with strings - Good thing I brought my own scissors to cut them off. 3) No Internet cable 4) TV very awkward viewing from desk. The desk is a bit far and your body is at right angle to the TV. 4) No attention to details like when to clean stovetop and when to throw away towels. 5) No attempt to find the noise until I complained a second time.

This hotel should not be attempting to make themselves look like they are a luxury hotel, as they can't pull it off. It is only worth it if you can get a great rate at $200 or less.

We stayed at The River Inn for 4 nights with our two kids, ages 9 and 12. It was great - big enough (we had the suite) so that we had room to spread out, and 2 TVs. The location was perfect - we walked over to Georgetown for two dinners, but were thankful we were a bit away from that touristy area. The Metro was close, as well as a Trader Joes! We had nothing but positive experiences - the staff was wonderful, the breakfasts (included) were amazing - everything fresh and tasty. We had room service one night - a bit pricey but worth the convenience and very good. We loved the fact that the windows opened to enjoy a warm day and there was real art on the lobby walls! The staff was extremely helpful. There was a bit of peeling wallpaper in the bathroom, but this was the smallest of imperfections. Our family appreciated the fact that it wasn't just a blah chain hotel. We plan to stay again on our next trip to DC.