What do you think about Club Wyndham National Harbor?

[liwarren]

Thinking about booking here but can't tell if they have a larger pool hidden somewhere. Not sure if there is a beach nearby. Friends that will be joining us are beach/pool lovers!! I am wanting to visit my brothers alma mater Annapolis naval academy as I loved going there many years ago and want to have my DH and friends see it. Thinking this may be the best resort for easy access to DC and other areas to visit??? Suggestions?? Thanks for the help!

 

[troy12n]

This is my home resort, although i've only actually stayed there once.

There is an indoor and outdoor pool and indoor and outdoor hot tubs. There is not a beach anywhere nearby. It's also not really close to Annapolis, and they charge like $40/night for parking.
Me and my family stay in DC metro area at least once a year, and almost always stay at Old Town Alexandria because it's a better location, closer to DC, right across the street from the Metro, and close to lots of stuff to do and nice restaurants. And also fewer points to book. They are also in the process of remodeling Alexandria and have some rooms blocked off. I have already made my booking there for Christmas 2023.

My wife's family lives in the area so we visit them every other Christmas and usually once a year outside of Christmas. Basically because of the parking situation at NH (gets expensive) and more points, we only book NH if we can't get into OTA, and so far have only had to do it once.

That said, it's a very nice and still new resort. Rooms are decent sized and nice.

 

[schoolmarm]

Well, there is some sand at the waterfront and some boats, but it certainly isn't really a beach. OK--sand/water might be a beach. There is a kiddie pool and an outdoor pool and outdoor hottub with waterfall. There are cabanas and lounge chairs outdoord. The indoor pool is smaller and there is an indoor hottub.

It's about $25/night to park in the ramp across the street and if you go to the sales update they will comp your parking. You have in and out privileges at the ramp. If you have status at MGM, you could park--free or cheap--at the casino and take the bus to the resort. But the bus is only every 20-30 minutes.

You are totally on the other side of DC to go to Annapolis.

As for getting around, you will likely need your car. National Harbor has a City bus nearby but it is a long ride to the Metro. You could also take the boat to King Street Alexandria and then the Trolley to the King Street metro station. OR DRIVE to a Metro station and pay to park there to transit into the city or to Amtrak....none of this is really convenient. So just drive and try to park in DC.

It's a lovely resort. Lots of funky (and many pricey) eating places and they often have concerts at the waterfront.

If you want free parking and easy access to the Metro, stay at Old Town Alexandria.

 

[chapjim]

Both Old Town Alexandria and National Harbor are within 30 minutes of home, even allowing for traffic congestion. We haven't stayed at NH in a while and parking and points cost are the main reasons why not. We have never stayed at NH unless I could book a 1BR at a discount and upgrade to a 2BR Presidential. To avoid the parking charge, I suppose I could drive to NH, unload the car, drive back home and take Metro to NH. Haven't done that.

If one can book with a VIP discount (or rent from a VIP) and get NH to comp parking in exchange for attending a sales presentation, NH can make sense. The National Harbor development is kind of fun. Lots of restaurants and shops, live entertainment now and then at the Plaza Stage. The Gaylord resort and convention center is nice to walk through although if you've seen the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, the facility at NH will disappoint you.

Old Town Alexandria is a better choice if going into the District is why you're visiting the area. Driving into the District is not recommended. I don't do it and I've lived here for thirty-eight years. In fact, the District is not a very safe place. (To paraphrase Former Mayor-for-Life Marion Barry, "Except for the killings, DC is one of the safest places in the country.")

As @troy12n indicates, there's no beach nearby and Annapolis is about an hour away. The Potomac River is cleaner than it used to be but I wouldn't swim in it, even if there were a beach.

 

[chapjim]

Well, there is some sand at the waterfront and some boats, but it certainly isn't really a beach. OK--sand/water might be a beach. There is a kiddie pool and an outdoor pool and outdoor hottub with waterfall. There are cabanas and lounge chairs outdoord. The indoor pool is smaller and there is an indoor hottub.

It's about $25/night to park in the ramp across the street and if you go to the sales update they will comp your parking. You have in and out privileges at the ramp. If you have status at MGM, you could park--free or cheap--at the casino and take the bus to the resort. But the bus is only every 20-30 minutes.

You are totally on the other side of DC to go to Annapolis.

As for getting around, you will likely need your car. National Harbor has a City bus nearby but it is a long ride to the Metro. You could also take the boat to King Street Alexandria and then the Trolley to the King Street metro station. OR DRIVE to a Metro station and pay to park there to transit into the city or to Amtrak....none of this is really convenient. So just drive and try to park in DC.

It's a lovely resort. Lots of funky (and many pricey) eating places and they often have concerts at the waterfront.

If you want free parking and easy access to the Metro, stay at Old Town Alexandria.

You do not have to go through the District to get to Annapolis from NH. Hop on the Beltway outer loop and take US 50 East.

 

[HitchHiker71]

You do not have to go through the District to get to Annapolis from NH. Hop on the Beltway outer loop and take US 50 East.

Exactly - this is how we transit to/from NH every time - 50W to the beltway to 95 to NH. Same in reverse when leaving NH - and 50 passes right by Annapolis - just hop off the 50 exit ramp for Annapolis and head into Annapolis proper from there.

 

[HitchHiker71]

As for getting around, you will likely need your car. National Harbor has a City bus nearby but it is a long ride to the Metro. You could also take the boat to King Street Alexandria and then the Trolley to the King Street metro station. OR DRIVE to a Metro station and pay to park there to transit into the city or to Amtrak....none of this is really convenient. So just drive and try to park in DC.

That same river taxi goes from Alexandria up to the D.C. Capitol port - no sense getting off the boat at Alexandria and transiting over to the Metro - just stay on the boat and get off at the D.C. port - yeah it's more expensive - but then you don't have to hop between boats/buses/trains both coming and going.

 

[HitchHiker71]

Thinking about booking here but can't tell if they have a larger pool hidden somewhere. Not sure if there is a beach nearby. Friends that will be joining us are beach/pool lovers!! I am wanting to visit my brothers alma mater Annapolis naval academy as I loved going there many years ago and want to have my DH and friends see it. Thinking this may be the best resort for easy access to DC and other areas to visit??? Suggestions?? Thanks for the help!

If the pool is important then NH is your only option - as Alexandria doesn't have any pools in comparison. The outdoor pools/hottubs are pretty good sized at NH. As others have said - the indoor pool/hottubs are smaller. The Potomac river is pretty dirty/polluted and IMHO isn't really safe to swim in as a general rule - that's why you won't see many people swimming in it even during the summer months. Lots of folks boat on the river in the summer months but I don't see many swimmers personally. I'd transit east to somewhere along the Chesapeake bay - which is a bit of a drive - if you want beach swimming.

Alexandria has better/easier access into the District IMHO. The metro is literally right across the street from the resort and is the cheapest transit option available. If you are avid walkers/bikers /scooter people - and distance doesn't scare you - you can actually transit into D.C. via the Mt. Vernon trail easily from the resort area - it's about seven miles each way IIRC - we have walked/biked on a few occasions when the weather is cooperative. Typically we will walk/bike into D.C. using the rental bikes in the area (pretty easy to rent/find/use them), then transit back via the Metro or the river taxi.

 

[schoolmarm]

You do not have to go through the District to get to Annapolis from NH. Hop on the Beltway outer loop and take US 50 East.

LOL! Jim, I consider driving ANYWHERE on the Beltway going "through the District" although technically it's going "around the District". I'm often that direction--Baltimore, Annapolis, my cousin's house in Bowie, U Maryland College Park is my main work site unless I'm at the Library of Congress or the Smithsonian.

Soooo, add some travel time for the Beltway.

Old Town is my preference for free parking and easy Metro. National Harbor was great for my last conference at the Gaylord. It was an easy walk. And I hosted colleagues in my discounted/upgraded 3 BR Presidential.

 

[chapjim]

LOL! Jim, I consider driving ANYWHERE on the Beltway going "through the District" although technically it's going "around the District". I'm often that direction--Baltimore, Annapolis, my cousin's house in Bowie, U Maryland College Park is my main work site unless I'm at the Library of Congress or the Smithsonian.

Soooo, add some travel time for the Beltway.

Old Town is my preference for free parking and easy Metro. National Harbor was great for my last conference at the Gaylord. It was an easy walk. And I hosted colleagues in my discounted/upgraded 3 BR Presidential.

Nice!

When I was working, I ran I-95/395 from the Springfield interchange up to Crystal City in Arlington. I'd leave home around 5:50 AM and be in my building by 6:10 AM. Seventeen minutes was the norm. If I could leave at 4 PM, it would only take me forty-five minutes to get home. I was not able to do that very often. The later the departure, the longer the ride home.

NH has a great general manager, Edwin Pierre-Louis. Super nice guy.

 

[troy12n]

If the pool is important then NH is your only option - as Alexandria doesn't have any pools in comparison. The outdoor pools/hottubs are pretty good sized at NH. As others have said - the indoor pool/hottubs are smaller.

The thing is, there used to be a pool available to guests at OTA, they had an agreement to let Wyndham guests use the Hilton Pool and workout center. At some point that changed. Supposedly, OTA guests also have the ability to use the facilities at NH, including pool. I was told this at an update at OTA years ago, but since it is logistically difficult to get there and back, I never tried it.

The Potomac river is pretty dirty/polluted and IMHO isn't really safe to swim in as a general rule - that's why you won't see many people swimming in it even during the summer months.

Agree 100%, it's not a body of water I would ever consider swimming in... hard pass.

Also, at OTA, the rooms are all over the place as far as view/things to look at. If you get a room on the West side of the building you see the circle drive when you check in, if you have a room on the East side, depending on where your room is, you can get a view of the Metro/train tracks, or a view of a run down housing complex next door, or a view of a block wall. I was once in a 1BR deluxe at the far end of the hallway past the laundry room and literally had a view of a block wall, think the room was 515 or 516it was a 1BR DLX, which could have been part of a 2BR LO, it has a connnecting door. I know there are several rooms like that. The "05/06" rooms are like this as well.
Whenever I go, I request 507/607/707, because they are 2BR DLX right by the elevator, but also have a nice view of the trains, and i'm a dork I guess because I find it fascinating to watch them.

More often than not, I get that room. This is the ONE resort I don't specifically request a VIP upgrade at because the upgrade path is either a 2BR LO, which I do not want (it's smaller than the DLX) or a 2BR Presidential, which I don't know what the view is going to be.

Some of the rooms apparently have balconies, but i've never gotten one, so I can't tell you those room numbers. I know the 505(DLX)/506(suite) is a 2 BR LO, which supposedly has a balcony because I saw someone post a video of that room

 

[liwarren]

Thank you all for your replies. I may look elsewhere. This is beginning to not look so appealing to me. I appreciate every comment! Thanks again!

 

[schoolmarm]

Some of the rooms apparently have balconies, but i've never gotten one, so I can't tell you those room numbers. I know the 505(DLX)/506(suite) is a 2 BR LO, which supposedly has a balcony because I saw someone post a video of that room

There are TWO balconies at OTA. I was in one on the first floor near the check in desk. This 1-BR is a SUPER HUGE DELUXE! There are two rooms by the check in desk and they SHARE the balcony. The balcony is small and looks out to the housing development across the street. If you look up from the road you can see the second balcony. It is not by the one I was in. It is more towards the train station. I don't know if it is shared or not.
I don't know the room numbers, but perhaps someone can sleuth it out.

 

[jackio]

There are TWO balconies at OTA. I was in one on the first floor near the check in desk. This 1-BR is a SUPER HUGE DELUXE! There are two rooms by the check in desk and they SHARE the balcony. The balcony is small and looks out to the housing development across the street. If you look up from the road you can see the second balcony. It is not by the one I was in. It is more towards the train station. I don't know if it is shared or not.
I don't know the room numbers, but perhaps someone can sleuth it out.

We were in that room once, too! I thought it was odd to have to share the balcony with another room. The unit was gorgeous, though.

 

[ronparise]

II grew up in the DC area near the University of Maryland, and after College I lived in Annapolis. and raised my daughter there. Ive been in Florida for almost 30 years. When I was a Wyndham owner we stayed at National Harbor and drove to Annapolis every day to visit with my 90 yo mother in law.. Its about 20 miles on the beltway from National Harbor to Md Rt 50 then another 25 miles on Rt 50 to Annapolis. Its about an hour drive mid day. or mid night. Rush Hour is anybody's guess

Fun Facts.

Regarding the Potomac River. Just upstream from National Harbor is the Blue Plains Wastewater treatment plant (the biggest sewage treatment plant in the world). On an average day appx 300,million gallons of treated wastewater are discharged into the River


Senator Joe Manchin (WVa) lives on his boat docked at National Harbor

The Smoot Sand and Gravel Co owned the land that is now National Harbor, They created the harbor at National Harbor when they removed sand and gravel from the river banks and bottom. They supplied the sand and gravel that went into the concrete used to build the Pentagon

 

[HitchHiker71]

There are TWO balconies at OTA. I was in one on the first floor near the check in desk. This 1-BR is a SUPER HUGE DELUXE! There are two rooms by the check in desk and they SHARE the balcony. The balcony is small and looks out to the housing development across the street. If you look up from the road you can see the second balcony. It is not by the one I was in. It is more towards the train station. I don't know if it is shared or not.
I don't know the room numbers, but perhaps someone can sleuth it out.

It is shared - we've stayed in the one bedroom deluxe - the other side is a one bedroom suite - so these two rooms are lockouts - IIRC the room numbers are 210 and 211 - but don't quote me on this. Might be 211 and 212.

 

[chapjim]

II grew up in the DC area near the University of Maryland, and after College I lived in Annapolis. and raised my daughter there. Ive been in Florida for almost 30 years. When I was a Wyndham owner we stayed at National Harbor and drove to Annapolis every day to visit with my 90 yo mother in law.. Its about 20 miles on the beltway from National Harbor to Md Rt 50 then another 25 miles on Rt 50 to Annapolis. Its about an hour drive mid day. or mid night. Rush Hour is anybody's guess

Fun Facts.

Regarding the Potomac River. Just upstream from National Harbor is the Blue Plains Wastewater treatment plant (the biggest sewage treatment plant in the world). On an average day appx 300,million gallons of treated wastewater are discharged into the River


Senator Joe Manchin (WVa) lives on his boat docked at National Harbor

The Smoot Sand and Gravel Co owned the land that is now National Harbor, They created the harbor at National Harbor when they removed sand and gravel from the river banks and bottom. They supplied the sand and gravel that went into the concrete used to build the Pentagon

Even worse, when there are prolonged and/or heavy rains, the entire DC sewage system overflows, sending raw sewage into the Potomac.

 

[Jimag]

Well, there is some sand at the waterfront and some boats, but it certainly isn't really a beach. OK--sand/water might be a beach. There is a kiddie pool and an outdoor pool and outdoor hottub with waterfall. There are cabanas and lounge chairs outdoord. The indoor pool is smaller and there is an indoor hottub.

It's about $25/night to park in the ramp across the street and if you go to the sales update they will comp your parking. You have in and out privileges at the ramp. If you have status at MGM, you could park--free or cheap--at the casino and take the bus to the resort. But the bus is only every 20-30 minutes.

You are totally on the other side of DC to go to Annapolis.

As for getting around, you will likely need your car. National Harbor has a City bus nearby but it is a long ride to the Metro. You could also take the boat to King Street Alexandria and then the Trolley to the King Street metro station. OR DRIVE to a Metro station and pay to park there to transit into the city or to Amtrak....none of this is really convenient. So just drive and try to park in DC.

It's a lovely resort. Lots of funky (and many pricey) eating places and they often have concerts at the waterfront.

If you want free parking and easy access to the Metro, stay at Old Town Alexandria.

A minor clarification would be to note Annapolis is approximately 38 miles from National Harbor, and that the route to Annapolis is about 3 o'clock from the D.C. Beltway, while National Harbor is about 6 o'clock. To say National Harbor is on the opposite side of D.C. is just a bit of an exaggeration.

 

[Jimag]

Both Old Town Alexandria and National Harbor are within 30 minutes of home, even allowing for traffic congestion. We haven't stayed at NH in a while and parking and points cost are the main reasons why not. We have never stayed at NH unless I could book a 1BR at a discount and upgrade to a 2BR Presidential. To avoid the parking charge, I suppose I could drive to NH, unload the car, drive back home and take Metro to NH. Haven't done that.

If one can book with a VIP discount (or rent from a VIP) and get NH to comp parking in exchange for attending a sales presentation, NH can make sense. The National Harbor development is kind of fun. Lots of restaurants and shops, live entertainment now and then at the Plaza Stage. The Gaylord resort and convention center is nice to walk through although if you've seen the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, the facility at NH will disappoint you.

Old Town Alexandria is a better choice if going into the District is why you're visiting the area. Driving into the District is not recommended. I don't do it and I've lived here for thirty-eight years. In fact, the District is not a very safe place. (To paraphrase Former Mayor-for-Life Marion Barry, "Except for the killings, DC is one of the safest places in the country.")

As @troy12n indicates, there's no beach nearby and Annapolis is about an hour away. The Potomac River is cleaner than it used to be but I wouldn't swim in it, even if there were a beach.

Oh, come on Jim, I've lived in Northern Virginia since 1978. I commuted to Constitution Avenue NW until 2017 and drove into the city countless times for pleasure and I continue to do so. To say that the Capitol, the White House, the monuments and museums on the mall, the restaurants in Georgetown or other places downtown, or any usual tourist destination is not safe just isn't true of D. C. more than any other major city. Free two-hour parking is usually available on the mall with little effort, and the National Harbor and Old Town Alexandria locations have a water taxi available to D.C. Moreover, the Old Town location is adjacent to the Metro train station. I agree with you on swimming in the Potomac near D.C., but then you wouldn't catch me swimming around Manhattan in the East or Hudson Rivers, or in the Charles River around Boston.

 

[chapjim]

You commuted to Constitution Ave from 1978 until 2017 (more or less). Did you drive into the District or use Metro/car pool/van pool, etc.?

Carjackings have proliferated since 2017 and most people would like not to put themselves at risk. For me, driving into the District for pleasure is not a pleasure.

The water taxi may be a fun ride but it is not an economical way to get around.

 

[Jimag]

You commuted to Constitution Ave from 1978 until 2017 (more or less). Did you drive into the District or use Metro/car pool/van pool, etc.?

Carjackings have proliferated since 2017 and most people would like not to put themselves at risk. For me, driving into the District for pleasure is not a pleasure.

The water taxi may be a fun ride but it is not an economical way to get around.

I used every means available to commute except van pooling. Over time I drove solo, carpooled, and used the Metro Silver Line train. Now that I am retired, I regularly drive into D.C. for the theatre, to dine, or to take my grandkids to the museums on the mall or to a show at Kennedy Center. When I go to the Smithsonian museums, I never have trouble parking for free on the mall, although there is a two-hour time limit. I usually park on the street with ease when I go to the theatre, but, if the streets are crowded because of competing events, I use readily available underground parking.

But then, I am not fearful in cities or of crowds, and I appreciate what cities offer. I have spent most of my life in D.C. and New York City, and I have never witnessed a mugging or a carjacking.

As for the water taxi, I highly recommend it for visitors.

 

[HitchHiker71]

But then, I am not fearful in cities or of crowds, and I appreciate what cities offer. I have spent most of my life in D.C. and New York City, and I have never witnessed a mugging or a carjacking.

Most muggers and/or carjackers tend to target marks that aren't familiar with the cities - and stray off the beaten path into areas where these types of crimes tend to occur and recur more often - areas you likely avoided altogether based upon your knowledge of the cities in question. Criminals know very well what to look for in a mark - so I'm not surprised to hear you say you've never witnessed a mugging or carjacking as a result - you would not have journeyed into or through areas that you knew well to avoid for various reasons - whereas a tourist obeying a GPS that takes them through a bad area doesn't know any better for example - whether they are driving or as a pedestrian.

 

[Jimag]

Most muggers and/or carjackers tend to target marks that aren't familiar with the cities - and stray off the beaten path into areas where these types of crimes tend to occur and recur more often - areas you likely avoided altogether based upon your knowledge of the cities in question. Criminals know very well what to look for in a mark - so I'm not surprised to hear you say you've never witnessed a mugging or carjacking as a result - you would not have journeyed into or through areas that you knew well to avoid for various reasons - whereas a tourist obeying a GPS that takes them through a bad area doesn't know any better for example - whether they are driving or as a pedestrian.

Ok, I yield, while noting that I travel overseas for pleasure once or twice a year. As a tourist, I almost always rent a car, always visit cities, and frequently use a GPS. I love rural areas, particularly mountain villages and ancient seacoast towns, but I must admit to spending most of my time in urban settings. I have never been mugged or carjacked in my travels, and I have never witnessed a mugging or carjacking.
Best regards,
Jim

 

[HitchHiker71]

Ok, I yield, while noting that I travel overseas for pleasure once or twice a year. As a tourist, I almost always rent a car, always visit cities, and frequently use a GPS. I love rural areas, particularly mountain villages and ancient seacoast towns, but I must admit to spending most of my time in urban settings. I have never been mugged or carjacked in my travels, and I have never witnessed a mugging or carjacking.
Best regards,
Jim

I witnessed two muggings from a distance in Philly when I worked in the city over a 15 year period of time. Both were in areas that I would define as "borderline" - not in an outright bad area - but not in a good area either. Several of my co-workers in Philly had experienced being mugged - none of them were city dwellers - but we did all work in the city every day. You just never know.

 

[Jimag]

I witnessed two muggings from a distance in Philly when I worked in the city over a 15 year period of time. Both were in areas that I would define as "borderline" - not in an outright bad area - but not in a good area either. Several of my co-workers in Philly had experienced being mugged - none of them were city dwellers - but we did all work in the city every day. You just never know.

Truly said!