If you're doing a tourist trip to DC and don't want to spend the earth or stay in a backpackers this place is perfect.

The Channel Inn is only about two miles from the Washington Memorial, White House etc and was far cheaper than anything else in which was as close.

The hotel itself is pretty tired, decor is early 80s.

The staff look miserable but are probably paid next to nothing.

But hey, you're not paying that much to stay here either, so there's an upside!

Breakfast wasn't much to write home about and the bar was pretty average.

All in all, it was perfectly adequate for our stay.

I was booked into this hotel at a discounted rate with an airline voucher after missing my connecting flight out of Washington DC. I called the hotel and they told me a shuttle would come by soon. The van filled up quickly with "distressed travelers." It seemed that the airline's bad air traffic control night would be a windfall for the hotel.

I stayed at the Channel Inn in DC for three nights last week. I had really low expectations because of the reviews I'd read - I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. We (my husband and 3 kids and I) arrived at about 11:00 am. The front desk staff was reserved, but efficient - not rude at all. We were immediately given our room (rm 242). I was worried about the size because I'd read that the rooms are small. The room was huge - it was on a corner so that may have made the difference. We had been in the room for about 10 minutes when a maintenance guy showed up with a rollaway bed - I hadn't requested it, so I guess that the lady who checked us in counted all of us and was thoughtful enough to send it up. I anticipated the charge showing up on my bill, but it didn't!

The hotel is right on the Potomac River. A lot of the boats were decorated for Christmas and there was a Parade of Lights on the last night we were there. There are several good restaurants around including a bbq shack right next door. The hotel is within walking distance to the National Mall - we walked everywhere. The sidewalks are wide and the streets clean. It was very safe and I felt safe even walking back to the hotel at night with my kids.

The hotel is worn and outdated, but clean! Give it a chance!

This hotel is nothing to look at, but scores well for the location alone. I loved looking out over the Potomac. It was quiet during our stay. Yes, the rooms are dated and they did not have a coffeemaker.

Rooms were clean.

The units need coffeemeakers!!!

Pool was clean.

No issues and they assisted with the storage of our bicycles during our stay. i would have preferred a more secured method other than triple chaining to a post in the garage which is high traffic and the bikes could have been stolen. D- on the bike storage... B+ on the assistance.

All in all I would stay again. The hotel is not a budget breaker but keep in mind this is not the Taj Mahal.

Oh they do not provide bell service to your room. You get what you pay for.