After walking a few blocks from the metro and arriving at the 1920 art deco Hotel Lombardy building, we were welcomed by the smiling doorman and led us to the teeny weeny front desk area for check-in process. Check-in was swift since I used the advance pay option when reserving online (this saves quite a bit off the week day rates; AAA card offers tremendous savings off the weekend rate; sometimes same day rates seem deeply discounted too). However, during check in, we were not told the one very important feature every business traveler needs to know: Hotel Lombardy does not have a business center. Although there is a full service Kinkos behind the hotel with several kiosks, unfortunately you don't receive any discounts as a hotel guest.

Now, back to the hotel: The guest rooms have two entrance doors -- the first is brown louvered wood that looks like a door that belongs on an old quaint ocean cottage and the second is the more traditional hotel door with magnetic access lock.

I was pleasantly surprised at the size of the guest room. It was large enough for me to entertain a handful of classmates I invited over. My guest room had two double beds with plush bedding, a work desk, a dressing room with vanity (and two robes), gorgeous steel and chrome bathroom fixtures against a white tile backdrop, and a separate wet bar/dining room (with curtain door closure) the length of the guest room. I travel with ear plugs so the noise was no problem at all for me. Oh, by the way, there is no complimentary breakfast. But who cares? The location is surrounded by eateries and a two level Whole Foods.

Oh, and the smiling doorman that led us to the teeny weeny front desk area for check-in process was there when we left. He was still smiling and working. But when he saw we were leaving, he placed the guest bags down, and the old style charming way, shook our hand and bid us a warm farewell.

Hotel Lombardy offers interesting rooms retrofitted into an old apartment building, in an extremely convenient location, at an unbeatable price. I was there on business, but next time would extend my stay for pleasure. Room was more like one in a smaller-scale European style hotel than large U.S. chain, but with all modern US amenities. Room was on the small side, but made up for snug size by being nicely divided into bed, bath and kitchen areas. Bath seemed freshly remodeled, immaculately clean. Great bed. Note: this room's windows (and this must be true of other rooms) opened right onto windows of surrounding offices,enough privacy was provided by blinds and curtains, but at least there was no street noise. However chatter in in hall was pretty audible. Wonderful bar downstairs, reminded me of bars in Venice!

Hotel Lombardy was an excellent value for the special AAA rate of $89.

Location - 5 stars. The location is perfect - short walk to many excellent D.C. area restaraunts (don't miss Ris!), the Foggy Bottom subway stop, a large Whole Foods market, and a CVS. For the location and price, we thought this was a great value hotel. However, we would not have paid over $100 for it.

Cleanliess - 5 stars.

Sleep quality - watch out here if you're a light sleeper and don't like earplugs. Based on other reviewers, we requested a room on the top floor. The hotel staff was very accomodating and gave us a room on the 11th floor (top), even though that meant they had to give us a free upgrade. However, this is a historic (read: old) hotel and, as with most older hotels, the walls are thinner and the pipes creak. My husband is a light sleeper and the noises within the hotel still bothered him, despite being on the top floor. However, he doesn't mind earplugs and slept just fine after putting them in. The shower was also a real problem. We didn't have a problem with the pressure, like other reviewers, but with the temperature control. The water was either scalding hot or freezing cold, with only one sweet spot for lukewarm water. It was kind of ridiculous b/c my husband and I were in a hurry to make a tour time at the Capitol building, but couldn't get the temp under control! On a positive note, the king beds are very comfortable and the sheets very soft.

FYI - no business center and they cannot print anything for you. There is a Kinko's near buy, but it doesn't open until 9am.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay and thought the location was what made the hotel a particularly good deal. We would have give the hotel 3 stars, but considering the price and location in downtown D.C., we gave it 4.

This is a lovely space. It fits in perfectly with the heritage of Washington.
The room was spacious, and the bathroom large. We felt right at home with the friendly team at the hotel who seem to be very proud of their hotel.
The location is fantastic - walking distance to so many places.
Two small niggling issues were that the wireless in our room was not working, and that they only provided us with one bathrobe.
We really appreciated the nice coffee that was provided.
The little meeting rooms are also great.
We will definitely stay there again.
I highly recommend this hotel.