nice location, pretty public areas, but the best reason to stay here is the staff at Rumseys Tavern. They are absolutely awesome! Food was good, nice draft selection. We will return (we are motorcycle travelers, this is prime motorcycle territory) just to visiit with the hardworking staff at Rumseys!

It's the little things that can make a difference between a pleasant stay and one where you start counting the minutes until checkout time - which is the case at this Clarion. Frankly we expected - and have gotten much better - service at other Clarions. Just a few example:

- Free wifi in the rooms, yes. One day only. The rest of the time, no connectivity, the staff shrugs. Forget the computer in the lobby, always mobbed with kids.
- Parking. As several others have noted, it was odd to see so many reserved spots for management right in front of the doors. I always thought it was the guests who were the important ones?
- Cream for your coffee, just getting that was an extraordinary struggle every morning. First morning, had to work through three separate people; second morning, no problems, just a 30 minute wait; third morning, back and forth with managers, then 2 people to bring it up! Should have taken 10 minutes, why all the hassles.
- Room service, you always have the vague feeling they're not really sure what they're doing.
- Sheets, not good when they're so worn out they constantly pull up into a wad. And then waiting hours to get another one.

That said, the grounds are beautiful, and in general the hotel is well maintained, food in the restaurants was passable and the staff has an appearance of professionalism.

But it's the little things that make or break a stay.

I stayed at the Clarion for a week for some training in July. I found that the staff there was courteous and helpful, the rooms clean and the food satisfactory.

The fitness facility was adequate - machines were working properly and they have a separate weight room just for free weights and weight machines.

The pool is small but I didn't go into it -- filled with kids and parents.

I loved how we had wireless I-net in our rooms free of charge -and adequate number of TV channels as well. The rooms were pretty cold so even in summertime, you may find yourself turning on the heat!

Overall, I thought it was a lovely campus and good hotel. They do a good job there.

I stayed at the Clarion Sat. 8/5/06 and found the hotel to be as expected from the internet photos, however the pool was a disappointment. The pool turned out to be a lot smaller that I was expecting after seeing the online photos. Also, online info said "no need to bring a towel, we have towel service for our guests." When we got there (it WAS late afternoon - appx. 4pm) there were no towels available and we hadn't brought any from home because of the "towel service". This was our only disappointment, everything else was great!
Judy
Winchester, VA