There are more than two dozen hotels to choose from around Washington Dulles airport. While one – Marriott – is right across from the terminal, the others are concentrated in three areas around the airport.
Among those are two Holiday Inns, the Holiday Inn Washington – Dulles International Airport and the Holiday Inn Chantilly – Dulles Expo. During last month’s trip, I stayed at the former.
Getting to the Hotel
Before making your way to the hotel, make sure you are headed to the correct one as there is a different Holiday Inn, Chantilly – Dulles Expo, about 8 miles south of the terminal. Holiday Inn Washington – Dulles International Airport is located about 4 miles – or 10 to 15 minutes of driving – northeast of the airport terminal.
If you are arriving or departing from the airport, you can also take advantage of the hotel’s free shuttle bus. It runs twice an hour (at :15 and :45) between 4AM and midnight from curbs 2A and 2H. If you need to get to the hotel outside of those hours, you can call the hotel to request a pickup.
If you need to make your way from Washington, DC, you can take the Metro and bus to the airport, and take the free shuttle from there. Since Yukihiro and I arrived at Union Station by bus fairly late at night, that wasn’t an option. Instead, we took Uber. The 32-mile ride cost about $50.
The hotel is also close to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum. If you have some time, I certainly recommend checking it out. An Uber ride from the hotel to the museum will set you back about $12.
Check-in & Lobby
Right past the hotel’s entrance, there was a reception desk. Since there was no one else waiting to be checked in when we arrived, the check in was very quick.
As is the case with most hotels, across from the reception desk, there was a seating area with some benches and sofa chairs. Besides that, there were also flight information display screens showing both departures and arrivals.
The lobby also featured a larger seating area with some more benches, counters equipped with power outlets, as well as tables with chairs. There was also a pair of computers available for the hotel’s guests to use.
Guest Room
Upon check-in, we were assigned room 2155, a standard twin room. The room was at the very end of one of the dead-end hallways (see the map below) and almost as far from the reception as it gets.
Inside, in the rooms hallway, there was a closet with – besides the usual hangers and safe – an ironing board and an iron.
Just past it was the bathroom entrance, but more about that further down.
Large part of the room itself was take up by a pair of queen size beds, each with four pillows of different hardness.
Both the pillows as well as the beds themselves were very comfortable.
With the hotel being near Washington, DC, two panels with photos of the Jefferson Memorial and the Capitol were displayed above the beds.
Across from the beds, there was a counter with a TV, a coffee maker (and some tea bags), a couple of reading lights, and a mirror.
Separately, there was a movable work desk with an office chair. While the chair was not overly comfortable, it was way better than what many other hotels of similar category offer. I also found the movable desk to be more practical than a regular fixed one.
Finally, in the corner by the window, there were a sofa and the air conditioner.
As is, unfortunately, the case with many hotels in the United States, the air conditioner was very loud.
As for the bathroom, it was equipped with a bathtub. Plenty of towels as well as amenities including soap and mini bottles of body soap, shampoo, and conditioner were provided as well.
Other amenities such as toothbrushes and razors were available upon request.
Dining & Breakfast
There were two restaurants inside the hotel: O’Malley’s Pub which was open from lunchtime until late at night and Chantilly’s Restaurant which was open for breakfast.
Besides that, there was also a small store in the reception area where sandwiches, snacks, drinks, and other refreshments – as well as some amenities – could be bought.
Drinks and snacks were available from vending machines that were located in several places throughout the hotel as well.
While our rate didn’t include breakfast, we still decided to have it at Chantilly’s since there didn’t seem to be any other option within walking distance of the hotel.
The buffet breakfast cost $12 per person (excluding a tip).
Both lighter, cold items as well as hot items were available.
Starting with the lighter items, there was a selection of cereals, yogurts, bread, pastries, and fruits.
There was an “oatmeal station” with a variety of toppings as well.
Sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, and potatoes were offered as well.
One could also order eggs, French toasts, waffles, and pancakes, as well as drinks including orange juice, coffee, and tea from the staff.
Gym & Pool
On the hotel’s ground floor, the hotel’s fairly nice indoor pool and gym could be found as well.
The pool was fairly large and surrounded by plenty of lounge (as well as regular) chairs.
The gym was equipped with plenty of cardio and weight-training equipment.
It overlooked the pool.
Holiday Inn Washington – Dulles International Airport Summary
Overall, I can only recommend staying at the Holiday Inn Washington – Dulles International Airport.
Considering that it’s only about $100 per night, the service was efficient, the lobby was large, and the room was comfortable. Besides that, the facilities including the breakfast restaurant, gym, and pool were more than decent as well.
What I would say was the only downside of the hotel was the fact that there didn’t seem to be any restaurants or shops anywhere within walking distance. That’s, however, the case with many airport hotels.
