I chose the Hampton Navy Yard mostly because it had great reviews and looked like it would be an easy base to get up to the Mall. However, this is just a standard well-maintained Hampton Inn. There’s nothing special about it unless you are here for a game. And I found a lot to dislike during my three nights here. I will not stay at this hotel again.

Good things:

• Reasonably inexpensive for DC, but not the only option in the city in the same price range.

• The breakfast is free and better than most (which means I actually found something edible), but it isn’t that good and options are very limited.

• The area has a few decent restaurants mixed in with a lot of high-end fast-casual and take-out options. But there are a ton of choices within a block of the hotel. And there are a lot of bars.

• Great bed.

• Super comfortable side and desk chairs.

• Navy Yard metro station is on the other side of the same block. You really can’t get any closer. (Unfortunately, with the Yellow Line down, getting to the Mall currently requires a transfer a L'Enfant Plaza, which is always busy.)

• Area around the hotel is busy and feels very safe.

• Very clean hotel.

What I hated about this Hampton Inn and Suites:

• With tax the valet parking is over $60/per night. That’s what you would pay at many hotels in far handier locations for sightseeing and twice what budget hotels in better locations charge. AND THERE ISN’T ANY ALTERNATIVE. Yup, you read that right. In a neighborhood with a zillion offices, residential units, and a ball field, there don’t seem to be any public parking garages within a reasonable walk of the hotel. (All "public" parking in the area appears to be controlled by the ball field and only used during games and events.) Hotel staff was completely unhelpful and a little hostile when asked about parking options.

• The wifi login isn’t secure, so isn’t really compatible with some (Many? All? A few?) computers, including mine. (It worked fine on my phone and I did eventually get my computer to connect – after about an hour of fussing with it.) This is a problem in a lot of places, so not unique to this hotel. What I hadn't run into before is a wifi log-in screen that (on any device) tries to trick you into signing up for Hilton Honors by stating that there may be a charge for wifi if you don’t. (Just click that you don’t care and you’ll get the sign-in page where you can access the free wifi included in your room rate.) Hotel staff confirmed that the wifi login can be “tricky.” And no, there isn’t any way for Hilton Honors members to sign in (at least not if they didn’t book through Hilton.)

• No handy electric outlets at the desk. Staff confirmed that built-in outlets in the desk don’t work, so you have to pull the desk out from the wall or crawl under it to plug in your electronics.

• Uncarpeted floors. I’m sure they are easier to clean, but the floors are very noisy and you will hear every slam, bang, and shout your upstairs neighbors make. Everything at this hotel is noisy, whether you are moving a chair or closing the door that covers the mini-fridge. The walls aren’t well insulated either, so you’ll also get to enjoy lots of shouting by your neighbors in the halls.

• Heater noise. The heater in my room emitted a loud, high-pitched piercing noise that we could only stop by giving up our ability to adjust the temperature.

• Hilton generally seems to have the worst pillows of any major chain and this hotel was no exception.

Note that I am a Hilton member, but I didn’t reserve through Hilton because my member “discount” rate was so much more expensive booking through a third-party site. (I did pay with my Hilton card, so staff could have guessed that I am a member.) But perhaps my decision not to book through Hilton resulted in a less than positive check-in experience with staff and maybe even a slightly substandard room. No idea. But after a hideous drive into town the Hampton Navy Yard was far from a welcoming retreat.

I recently stayed at this property when attending a wedding in the District. I chose it primarily because of its location and because it was one recommended by the wedding organizers. Its location was ideal. When we first entered, we received a warm, friendly greeting at the front desk. The staff was friendly, helpful, and efficient during our stay. Our room was clean and comfortable. The buffet breakfast has good variety. Valet parking was easy.

I would unhesitatingly stay here again!