This post contains affiliate links from some of my advertising partners. I may receive a small commission on purchases, at no additional cost to you. While you don’t have to use these links, I appreciate your support of my blog when you do. You can read my advertising disclosure here.
Located at the heart of Washington’s Mt. Vernon Square neighborhood, the Marriott Marquis Washington DC is one of the favorite hotels for business travelers. The property boasts 1,126 guest rooms and 49 suites spread across 16 floors, many of which are wheelchair accessible. I have completed two stays at this property, and it served my accessibility needs well.
Room Rates & Reservations
The cost of a hotel room at the Marriott Marquis varies considerably, with prices directly related to demand. Due to the fact that it is connected to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the hotel routinely sells out when major conferences are in town. Rates might be as low as $150 per night on weekends, but often rise to $350 or more per night during the week.
During my most recent stay in March, I was able to get a room rate of $155 per night inclusive of tax — an amazing deal for any hotel in the District of Columbia.
Reservations can be made online via the hotel website.
Wheelchair Accessible Hotel Room
Not all room categories include accessible rooms, but there are standard and club-level rooms with ADA accessible bathtubs or roll-in showers. According to the hotel website and hotel staff, there are no suites with a roll-in shower.
My guest rooms were numbered 9040 and 15040, located on the the 9th and 15th floors, respectively. 15040, pictured in this article, features a king size bed and roll-in shower. Room 9040, which is not pictured, has two double beds and a roll-in shower. While the guest rooms are obviously different (one bed vs. two), the bathrooms are identical and described later in this article.
The bed height was measured at 25.5 inches from the floor to top of the mattress. With a platform base, there is no clear space underneath the bed to accommodate a patient transfer lift.
Power outlets and USB ports are integrated into both the lamp and clock, which are located on the nightstand. I used one of these outlets to charge my power wheelchair. Electricity in the United States is delivered at 120 volts. Travelers from outside North America may need to use a step-up power transformer to charge wheelchairs that require 220-240V. Please see the FAQ on charging a power wheelchair abroad.
A desk with wheeled office chair, a chest of drawers and a high-definition television are located opposite the foot of the bed. There is plenty of space to operate a power wheelchair and I had no difficulty turning around in place.
Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom
The wheelchair accessible bathroom was less spacious, but sizable enough enough to accommodate my power wheelchair.
I found the bathroom to be compliant with most ADA design regulations. The roll-in shower featured a folding wall-mounted seat with a height of 17 to 18 inches, as well as grab bars and a handheld showerhead within reach. The L-shaped shower seat was backwards, however, as the longer portion should rest against the back wall.
The water pressure in both of my rooms was weak and, after speaking with maintenance personnel, I understand this is a problem throughout the hotel.
With 27 inches of clear space under the sink, it was easy to roll my wheelchair underneath. The top of the sink measured 34 inches.
The height of the toilet seat was 18 inches and there was space to park a wheelchair alongside for a safe lateral transfer. Grab bars provided alongside the toilet and in the shower were between 36 and 37 inches high.
Despite some issues with the shower, this bathroom is one that disabled people should be able to use confidently.
Restaurants & Dining
The hotel offers a number of restaurants on-site: Anthem, a retro American diner; The Dinitary, a bar offering small plates and more than 200 whiskeys; High Velocity, a traditional sports bar with a full menu; and the Lobby Bar, with traditional American cuisine and cocktails in a casual environment.
Marriott Marquis Washington DC also participates in Marriott’s Fresh Bites program, offering 24-hour room service for pick-up or delivery.
Location & Transportation
The hotel is located in the McPherson Square neighborhood and is within walking or rolling distance to the Convention Center, the CityCenter DC shopping mall, Chinatown, Capital One Arena, Franklin Square and a number of museums and restaurants.
McPherson Square/Convention Center Metro Station is less than two blocks away, providing connections to the Blue, Orange and Silver lines of the Washington, DC metro system. The Blue line services Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, making accessible transportation to/from the Marriott Marquis hassle-free. Private transportation is also available — The hotel concierge can arrange for a wheelchair taxi or guests can order a wheelchair accessible Uber from their smartphones.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, the Marriott Marquis Washington DC is a great choice for accessible accommodation when visiting America’s capital city. On each visit to this hotel, I have had a fantastic stay — comfortable beds, accessibility that meets most of my needs, convenient dining options and a direct connection to the convention center are all positives. If the accessibility I’ve described here will meet your needs, I encourage you to give the Marriott Marquis a try!
Featured image courtesy Marriott Hotels.
