Tired old hotel, but great location
I stayed at this hotel for three nights when I was last in Washington DC. This is the first Holiday Inn that I've ever visited that has let me down.
When I arrived for check-in I was told that the room was not ready and that I would have to wait another hour before I could check in. A scowling bellhop reluctantly took my bag and stored it so that I wouldn't need to carry it around while waiting for the room, I handed him a tip and received a grunt in return. I returned an hour later to attempt to check in again and the room still wasn't ready.
The room itself appeared to still have its original early 1980s furnishings, which some people might find quaint or endearing. What wasn't endearing though was the Cold War-era air-conditioner in the room, which was as loud as an idling truck. The one wink to modernity was a large flat screen television near the bed, however it would frequently cut out mid-programme and display a forlorn "No Signal" message. 
The room also had free WiFi, ironically though the signal was only strong enough to be usable on one side of the room: the side without the desk. Fine if you want to surf the web in bed, not so useful if you need to get some work done. 
The room was clean except for one pillow that had what appeared to be a dime-sized blood stain on it. I put it aside so that Housekeeping would see it and wash it (or at least change the pillow case) only to return in the evening to find they'd put it straight back on the bed - stain and all. 
HOWEVER... my stay wasn't all bad. 
- The hotel is in an excellent location, literally 5 minutes walk from The Mall and the Smithsonian Air & Space museum. 
- I ordered a room service dinner on the first night and the food was superb - my compliments to the chef! 
- Aside from the one cranky bellhop I encountered, the staff were all nice and easy to deal with. 
All things considered, would I stay here again? Probably not.