Wyndham Vacation Resorts At National Harbor

Built in 2010,
this Wyndham resort offers 250 apartment-style suites and lots of
family-friendly amenities. The property, like most of National Harbor, has a
brick exterior and modern, generic style. An airy lobby features a wall of
windows, a reception desk against an aqua blue wall, and a contemporary sitting
area with an electric fireplace.  A model
sailboat and coastal wall art give the resort a vaguely nautical feel, but much
of the decor would blend into any chain hotel. Unique
highlights at this Wyndham include a small theater that offers daily movie
showings, a modern arcade, and an activity room that’s specially designed for
playing Wii video games. The resort’s main attraction is its seasonal outdoor
patio, which features barbecue grills, a hot tub, swimming pool, and kiddy pool.
Most of the clientele here are families, so expect the pool area to get packed
with kids on hot summer days.    

Wyndham
Vacation Resort is one of six hotels in National Harbor, a Washington
suburb constructed between 2008 and 2015. Located on the Potomac River in
Maryland, the 300-acre neighborhood is lacking in personality and has a bit of
a plastic, amusement park feel. Still, there are plenty of restaurants, shops, a
bike trail, marina, and waterfront park within walking distance to keep guests
entertained. A free shuttle stops right outside the hotel and will take guests
to the King Street Metro station in Old Town Alexandria (about 10 minutes
away). From there, visitors are a 20-minute subway ride from attractions in
downtown D.C. Driving into the city can be a faster alternative, but between
traffic and parking, it can also be a headache. Ronald Reagan Airport (DCA) and the
National Mall are about 30 minutes away by car (sometimes a bit less, sometimes more, depending on traffic).

The Wyndham consists of 250 one- and
two-bedroom condos with full kitchens and sofa beds, making them especially
economical for families. In 2015 the rooms were renovated with bigger
flat-screen TVs, fresh carpet, and fresh curtains. Each kitchen is stocked with a full-size fridge, oven, dishwasher,
microwave, blender, coffeemaker, toaster, and cooking utensils. The
decor is contemporary, but not particularly stylish. Think neutral walls, gray
patterned carpet, and framed photos of sailor’s knots and beach scenery. Select
rooms come with balconies and jetted tubs.

The resort offers a slew of features
for both kids and adults. Outdoors, there's a10-person hot tub, kiddy pool, playground, swimming pool, and a patio with gas grills.
Inside, guests will find a modest heated pool and hot tub, a sauna, massage
room, modern fitness center, game room, an activity room designed for playing
Wii video games, and a lounge with a pool table and board games. Other perks
include a kids' club, scheduled kids’ activities, a movie theater with daily
showings, DVD and video game rentals, a business center, and guest laundry
room. Parking is available for a daily fee, and a free National Harbor shuttle
stops outside and runs to the nearest metro stop (King Street). The only thing
noticeably absent at this resort is a restaurant -- so be prepared to cook in
your room or venture out for meals.