Great trip review, thanks! Your experience dipping into a hotel minibar for the first time was hilarious!

You can also include photos within your blog posts (look for the small picture frame icon), so if you want to go back and edit with a few photos of The Madison, give it a try...

Funny. How was that $7 water? Notice a choke or two when you took the first swallow?

Hi C...so glad to hear from you., We are looking at The Madison for July with the pup. Did you see any other pups on your visit? Did you self park or valet? Was it quiet in the rooms? Any outdoor restaurants close by? I was wondering about the mini bar! I thought that was so cute to add that credit! Thanks for your information!!!

Nice write up - we are going in May and I actually have been having some problems getting in touch with this hotel - numerous emails have gone unanswered and I try calling their 800 number listed and always get disconnected. I have read on Trip Advisor that parking is valet only and very, very expensive so we are going to take Amtrak from Philly. Have been trying to find out how far the hotel is from the Amtrak station in DC but so far no response so we will google and try to figure this out ourselves. Hope our trip ends up being as nice as your parents - so far their no response to my queries is a bit upsetting!

Denise, just use MapQuest Maps - Driving Directions - Map - enter Union Station Washington DC to 1177 Fifteenth Street NW, 20005. If it's too far to walk, you can take the Metro. (No charge for my services and no animals were harmed during my research).

Maybe it's my way of thinking, but can valet, gas and tolls be more expensive than train tickets?

It is a tough call on train vs. car - price of gas is up and I read on Trip Advisor reviews quite a few folks really complaining about the cost to park - like $40/day. Plus the hubby really gets very grumpy driving in traffic. Have not been to DC in 20 years so I am guessing traffic is probably pretty bad - we are going over memorial day weekend so I am guessing traffic would be even worse.

Denise--I think you can take the Amtrak to the airport and connect to the Metro--hotel is between 2 diff stops. The Metro out of DCA is amazing. If you want to park at airport, that might be an option.

Oh shoot--I forgot OP--Casole--great story! We'd love to see you more often in the forums!
Boy, do I understand the minibar guilt!! What a HOOT!

Hey all,

Thanks for the comments!

Bonnie, there were lots of pooches! Come to think of it, that's probably why I was sneezing my butt off, but they were all adorable. Yours won't feel out of place

We didn't have a car, we walked pretty much everywhere, but there are metros a couple of blocks away. We took a cab to and from the airport since the deal was so good, we splurged on that!

Not a lot of restaurants/"action" right around the hotel as it is pretty much a business area it seems. Within walking distance though we really enjoyed El Rinconcito, a little local El Salvadoran place, and Busboys and Poets, tons to see/do in the U street area, and lots of places on 14th street heading toward U St area as well.

The room was very quiet, ours faced a venting area so no view, but no noise either! We were on the 8th floor. Very comfortable beds too, firm which I like. The only thing I didn't like was the water pressure wasn't strong enough for my own taste, but not awful either, certainly not a deal breaker!

Denise, I hope you hear back, I can't remember which number I called, but I got in touch pretty quickly I think when I called to request two beds. I would not want a car in DC, and if your hubby is anything like mine that would not be a fun way to start a long weekend I saw the tripadvisor comments on valet pricing too...Good luck!

Nice report! And I'm glad to hear that your bed request of 2 beds worked out so well.

What a great idea for a LL property to offer a minibar credit - how fun! Hey Ben, we Luxury Link Loungers love getting the "extras" included in a our LL package. That's one thing that sets LL apart from others. Maybe you could have the LL staff suggest that new properties include a minibar credit as an "extra" in their LL package. It wouldn't cost the hotel that much and we'd love it!

Just reserved my Amtrak tickets - got lucky there was a sale so for RT for the 2 of us it was not that bad $120. Not too worried if I do not hear back -I will just make sure I have the info from the LL package and if anything happens, I will just say "this is what I am supposed to get" I have had to do that before and all works out in the end ;-)

Great review and looking forward to our mini weekend trip to DC - have not been there in 20 years so I am sure there will be much to do and not enough time!

Thanks C....Looking forward to going. Just found out the pet policy changed and it is now $75 per stay....little high but it should be fun! Glad to know the rooms were quiet. How did they credit you on the breakfast? (its included in the package but not sure if it is by dollar amount or something else.) I see LL has posted another LL property but there is no auction attached to it yet.......

ps- we will be driving. Hoping for parking less than 40 a day....

I was wondering how the breakfasts work also - I am guessing they have something notated when you check in and you just give them your room # after eating. We shall see - if a charge pops up, I know what to do about that ;-)

Hey Bonnie and Denise,

They gave me a letter at check in that said breakfast for two each morning is included. It didn't have any restrictions at all. It said to just sign the room check with our room number which we did. It all seemed way too easy (not a bad thing!), and I saved the letter just in case any stray charges showed up on my credit card, but nothing "errant" has happened at all and it's been a week. I am amazingly and pleasantly surprised!

At check out she just took a look at the computer screen and said "you're all set", I didn't have to explain anything.

It really was just an awesome experience. I saw over the weekend The Liaison Capitol Hill was listed....soooo tempting, I love Affinia properties! My mom and I are going back in September for the Book Festival, but will probably use some Marriott points for that visit.

Have fun!!

I just checked the Liasion for availability in July and I think we will try that over the Madison. The Madison just raised their pet fee to $75! (The Liasion is only $25) The Liasion also has a pet friendly restaurant. Thanks again C...still might do the Madison at some point...

ps-I am not familiar with Affinia properties...any more info on them?