First the good:

- Great location for 4th of July Fireworks. Walk to the corner, cross the street to the center median and you have a great view

- Very friendly staff

- Convenient to Metro

Now the bad:

- The rooms are a bit dated and bland and beige is the color of choice in the hallways, rooms, etc. The rooms have a very lived in feel about them and everything feels a bit worn.

- Parking is as bad as everyone says. The parking garage can accomdoate, at most, 20 cars so GW's parking facility a few blocks down is your best option at $16 a day

- Internet access in rooms does not work. We thought it was just us but encountered other guests who complained of the same at the hotels business center where internet access was working - - for a fee.

- For reasons still unclear, the AAA discount was not honored (when booking online their website states that your AAA card should be presented at check in).

- No in-room movies. Our son was disappointed since we usually wind down our day with a movie in the room but no such service is available.

Our next stay will be at the Residence Inn accross town.

We just returned from our second stay at the State Plaza and I find it to be a great value. The rooms are huge with two queen-size beds, a full kitchen equipped with dishes, pots & pans, toaster, etc., a dressing room, and a closet with iron, ironing board, room safe. Both times, our room was in the north building of the hotel so I don't know if the rooms are the same in the south building. Our room was immaculate and the staff was very helpful. There is a small restaurant on the ground floor. The food was very good and not too expensive. The location is very convenient and about a five block walk from the GWU/Foggy Bottom metro stop. This is a find for families on a budget because of the room size and the kitchen facilities. The room easily accomodates 2 adults, 2 children and a crib for a baby. Many attractions are within walking distance and there are convenience stores nearby to purchase groceries.

My husband and I drove from New York state to stay the weekend for a show.
The hotel has 2 'entrances' and you have to get to the right one before you can do anything. We had to walk all the way through an alley and through both hotels to get checked in. (We had to go back and forth the entire time to get to the 'front desk'.)
When we finally got to our room, the bathroom floor was filthy. Our room was located on an ALLEY , and next to the squeeky door to the stairs.
There are NO vending machines. Unless you accidentally take the elevator to the 'servants quarters' and then you'll find one ON YOUR WAY HOME.
If you are expecting a continental breakfast, good, fine, BUT be prepared to pay $35 for 2 people, have cold eggs, hard muffins, and a foreign woman (in our country's capitol no less) who greets you on entry to ask you if you 'KNOW PRICE?'
I'd advise you to look for a different hotel, unless all you want are sights, and a pillow.

Ok first the bad.....
Started with booking the room. Staff didn't know about the online rate, wouldn't honor. Called back the next day, "oh yes the online rate....."
When we arrived the air condioning wasn't on in the main room (we had a Jr suite which was a BR,Bath, LR with pullout sofa and kitchen.) they had to come and fix that. BOth ACs were on the entire time set at the lowest setting, and temp never got below 75*. Also one TV was fuzzy, bad connection with cable which never was fixxed.
The maids would come in several times while we were there and EVEN when the do not disturb sign was on the door. And they NEVER left enough towels for 4 people.
And they wouldn't honor the"get a $25 gas card each day of your stay" because we didn't park our car there (we flew). That little fact was not on the website.

The good...
You will not find, I don't think, a better location to the monuments. The Metro is a short 5 blocks or so. The Vietnam, etc are about 2 blocks away.
The hotel is dated, pay to use a small business center, but nice to have a kitchen with refrig and microwave. maids did the dishes each day too.
Easy location to hail a cab. Also a samll CVS drustore next door which we were in all the time....food, meds, drink,etc
Just remember you are not staying at a relative new place so you may have some problems.