Business meets Pleasure in the District of Columbia

Marriott Hotels sponsored this post. All opinions of the hotel and my stay are my own.

I never spend enough time in DC, and it’s embarrassing how little I’ve seen of such a vibrant, culturally impactful city. Washington, DC, is one of the most visited cities in the United States for business and pleasure. And no wonder. With major iconic landmarks like The White House, Supreme Court, Lincoln Memorial, and the home of industry chiefs like the Department of Energy, Capitol Hill, and the National Archives, lots of work gets done. And just as much sightseeing. So I spent a weekend with Marriott at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View and Residence Inn Arlington Capital View, discovering some of what the capital had to offer. And it was quite a lot in a short amount of time!

Situated South of the Pentagon, in the urban underground business district nicknamed the “Crystal City” in Northern Virginia, the Renaissance Arlington Capital View and Residence Inn Arlington Capital View are two sides of the same coin (or building) resting on the SW bank of the Potomac River, directly across from Washington, D.C. The “view” in Capital View describes the panoramic sights of the dome of the Capitol Building, the downtown skyline from across the water, and up close and personal views of planes taking off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Almost exclusively populated by high-rise apartment buildings, corporate offices, hotels, and trendy shops and restaurants, the location for the Marriott brand hotels is an avid traveler’s logistical dream.

Renaissance Arlington Capital View and Residence Inn Arlington Capital View

Whether you're seeking to capture the luxurious spirit that Renaissance is known for or the quirky, independent earnestness that long-term business travelers rely on from Residence Inn, both are housed on prime real estate just less than a mile away from the airport. Both hotels will have fun, bright decor, and gracious staff.

The Renaissance rooms are sleek and well-designed, with giant, plush queen or king-sized beds, soft blue walls to promote relaxation, and a clean, bold minimalist decor. The bathroom, showers only, are hidden behind a big frosted sliding glass door and features Aveda's aromatic shower amenities. Hit the 7th-floor gym, or settle in for the night with on-demand shows and movies. A call downstairs for late-night nibbles includes fresh Gelato delivered to your door.

In contrast, the Residence Inn rooms have a low-key studio feel with darker red and orange hues to promote creativity and energy for travelers to spend more productive nights working away from home. The room has equally plush queen and king-sized beds, bold red walls, and a sitting area with a rotating television to separate sleep from leisure time. Studies show that longer-term TV watching bed disrupts sleep patterns. And work productivity. The room also comes with fully stocked kitchen items, double stovetops (no oven), and full-sized refrigerators for those trying to eat healthy on the road and tired of ordering takeout or eating in restaurants. Bathrooms feature traditional tubs with showers for long soaks after a full day of meetings. Long-term travelers can wash and dry their laundry on-site on the 7th floor before heading to the terrace overlooking Crystal City.

SOCCi

There are no boring hotel bars here, but rather the effortlessly hip space dubbed SOCCi, doing triple duty as a cool bar, Italian restaurant, and lounge. Residents of both hotels can mingle with locals and business guests while sipping cocktails like a London Lemonade or snacking on happy hour favorites like Spicy Sausage Hummus and House Chips + Balsamic Onion Dip (and a bit of pesto). In addition, SOCCi is the hotel’s mixed-use bar, eatery, and in-house food delivery service for breakfast, snacks, or dinner. The True North—northern salmon with avocado, mashed potatoes, edamame succotash, and micro-greens — hit the spot for this tired traveler.

Arlington has a lot

The great appeal of Arlington is its proximity to all things District of Columbia while staying out of the high-traffic areas in favor of a calmer, more workable environment during the day. The second-largest principal city of the Washington metropolitan area, Arlington has gained acclaim as the home to vital installations for the capital region and U.S. government, including the Pentagon, Reagan National Airport, and Arlington National Cemetery. In addition, many schools and universities have campuses in Arlington, most prominently the Antonin Scalia Law School of George Mason University. The hotel’s excellent location also means the car stays put longer with no parking, and even then, it’s just a short ride across the Potomac to the bustling streets of Downtown DC.

Whatever the reason for your stay, Marriott forms the basis for a perfect business + pleasure combination. After all, doesn’t everyone deserve a little fun after the workday? And all that fun... comes with perks! 

Special Offer: Winter Platinum Status.

Get Upgraded to a Platinum Member for an entire year

Baby, it's still cold outside, but business travel and conferences to the DC area are heating up! Stay ten nights or more at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View or Residence Inn Arlington Capital View and get awarded Marriott Rewards Platinum Status instantly. Just mention the offer during scheduling or check-in to redeem your platinum status

Discounts are valid for stays through February 28, 2018

Renaissance Arlington Capital View

2800 S Potomac Ave, Arlington, VA 22202 

(703) 413-1300, marriott.com. Rates start at $170.

Residence Inn Arlington Capital View

2850 S Potomac Ave, Arlington, VA 22202

(703) 413-1300 marriott.com. Rates start at $99