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.