Faded Elegance - but good location
I had no surprises at this hotel. I read the reviews, and I'm simply echoing what others have said. This was obviously once a great hotel. Its not threadbare, just a little tattered. The rooms are small and the property shows a lack of some long-term maintenance.
However, there are some nice details. The shampoos and soaps are much better than most. The staff is friendly. No complaints about general cleanliness or housekeeping. Very good continental breakfast in the morning.
Stay at this hotel if you want the convenience of being super close to the metro stop and being at Dupont Circle, with lots of great restaurants. Stay if you get a bargain rate.
Don't stay if you can't handle smaller rooms. Truthfully, I don't spend my vacation time in the room. It's a place to sleep - but I don't like unclean rooms. So this place worked for me. Clean, but small. 
If managment spent some money on maintenance (Sand an paint the fraying paint in the hallways and on some ceiilngs. Spruce up the place. Make sure all your furniture is in working condition), this would be a great hotel.