My wife and I stayed at the Salamander overnight before our flight out of Dulles to Tanzania. To preface this review, I specifically booked this hotel due to past experience with Mandarin Oriental, so I was disappointed to hear of the exchange but gave it a shot anyway. I was disappointed with check in, with the staff, and with the general atmosphere. The hotel itself was clean, the finishes were decent, and the spa area is very nice...I just don't feel they warrant the price tag when the other variables are lacking. We arrived around 11:30, I had informed months before that the arrival would be around 12. We were told it wasn't guaranteed, but they would put that one in priority to be ready. Upon our arrival, we're told it is just awaiting inspection and it should be no later than 12:30. No problem, we visited The Lounge for lunch. We wrapped up around 12:30 and the weather precluded us from exploring much outside the hotel. Long story short, our room was not ready until 2:40. I acknowledge that check in time is actually 3, but had it been presented that way, we would have gotten a taxi and went elsewhere to kill 3 hours. The staff did not seem very invested in the hotel or interested in us. In my experience, something that sets 5 star hotels apart is the staff willingness to go the extra mile, to make a note to check back in with you, and to always be present. Between the doormen not paying attention, the front desk giving no updates on the room status without prodding, and waiting at the Lounge hostess stand for several minutes before going down to the bar and asking the bartender if we should seat ourselves (he found the hostess), it was just lacking. I don't need someone to hold my door or be worried about us sitting in the chairs by the front desk for 2 hours, but I paid for that experience and did not get it. Lastly, the general atmosphere...it just did not have a 5 star vibe. In 5 stars, folks are walking around, ensuring nothing is out of place and everything is picture perfect. This was not the case, the lobby restroom was in a bit of disarray...no one ensured that folks were there to help. It was just disappointing. All that to say...the place is clean, it is nice, you won't be disappointed there. But I believe I would have gotten better service at the Hilton down the road for half the price. Or we've stayed at the Park Hyatt in DC previously and absolutely adored the staff and facilities.
Outstanding
113 Reviews