Highlights: The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City

•Hotel’s suburban Virginia location is just two Metro train stops away from Washington DC, and neighbors a large shopping center

•Fresh, contemporary look added to guest rooms and suites with a $9 million renovation

•Fully-equipped business center, ample in-room workspace, and high-speed Internet access are a boon for business travelers

•The Grill Restaurant serves quality American cuisine in formal surroundings, while the Lobby Lounge offers nightly entertainment

•On-site fitness and massage center includes a steam room, sauna, whirlpool facilities, and an indoor lap pool

Amenities: The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City

• 366 rooms, 18 story. Pets accepted. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access. Restaurant, bar. Fitness room. Indoor pool, whirlpool. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City

Just two Metro stops away from Washington, DC, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, is well-situated for both getaway and business travelers. Travelers who want to explore will like the hotel’s close proximity to The Fashion Centre shopping mall, which has 170-plus boutiques and shops, like Macy’s and Nordstrom. They can even walk to Pentagon Row, a vibrant shopping center with boutiques and outdoor cafes.

Business travelers also will like the hotel’s ideal location, just minutes from the airport and Washington. Once they’ve arrived, they’ll have access to high-speed Internet throughout the hotel, a fully equipped 24-hour business center, and ample meeting or retreat space. If they need help with translation, the multilingual staff can help them out.

The hotel recently underwent an extensive $9 million renovation in mid-August, so its 345 spacious rooms and 21 suites feature a warmer, fresh look with more contemporary furnishings, luxurious bedding, and lovely window treatments. But don’t worry about it all looking too different because the changes are in keeping with the traditional Ritz-Carlton style. No matter which room you choose, you can enjoy a view of Washington or the Potomac River. Those who are willing to pay a little more for privacy and additional pampering can stay on the signature Ritz-Carlton Club Level, consisting of two floors of the 18-story building. The Club floor level guests have exclusive access by elevator only and can visit the lounge offering food and beverages five times a day, or receive help from a specially appointed concierge.

Mobil Three-Star-rated, The Grill, is the hotel’s highly regarded restaurant, offering American cuisine amid the charm of warm wood paneling and delicate crystal chandeliers. The plush Lobby Lounge features live music nightly for those who want to enjoy some nightlife, but don’t want to leave the property.

Those getaway or family travelers who want to enjoy some major rest and relaxation will be pleased to find a fitness and massage center, with an indoor lap pool, to round out the amenities. Couples, whether they’re newlyweds or celebrating an anniversary or other milestone, can indulge in a long list of massage treatments at the spa or talk to the concierge about the rose petal turndown, in-room massages, and other special services available to them.

The hotel offers baby-sitting services for family travelers with young children, but not many more services. But family travelers can still receive help from the concierge about nearby museums, monuments, parks, and other attractions that would be of interest to children.

(+) Good location, refined style ideal for business and leisure travelers
(-) Limited amenities for family travelers, but still located near museums, parks and other attractions

Guest Services: The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City

The Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City staff was professional and well-informed about the property. The reservations agent who assisted with my booking thoroughly and enthusiastically explained the facility and contacted the front desk directly to have driving directions forwarded to me. I had similar telephone dealings with a concierge who provided incredibly precise instructions and made me feel confident that I wouldn’t get lost.

Check-in was smooth but slightly prolonged because the well-intentioned front desk agent described in detail the hotel’s services, and the shopping and food opportunities at the adjacent Fashion Centre shopping mall. The bellman warmly welcomed me and offered concise explanations to my questions while attending to my luggage.

My wake-up call was perfectly pleasant, and operators were dutiful, efficient, and polite. I had the same experience with housekeeping and laundry staff, who promptly picked up clothes for pressing and had them back to me within an hour.

A few minor hiccups occurred during my otherwise pleasant stay. During one visit to the concierge desk, staff was busy and seemed inconvenienced by my request, only guessing at what time the mall opened. Upon departure, my luggage was about to be loaded into another guest’s car until the bellman turned his attention to me and stayed until my luggage and I were settled into my car.

(+) Well-informed, personable staff
(-) Doorman and concierge service could have been more detail-oriented and responsive

Guest Rooms: The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City

The hotel has 345 deluxe rooms and 21 suites, including 17 executive suites, three parlor suites, and one premium suite. All accommodations are spacious, from the 400-square-foot deluxe rooms to the special Ritz-Carlton Suite, which at 1,800 square feet is larger than a super-sized two-bedroom apartment. Executive and parlor units, boasting comfy sitting areas and 1½ bathrooms, are double the size of the deluxe rooms.

The decor remains classic to Ritz-Carlton styling: traditional wooden furniture, subdued colors, tasteful mix-and-match patterns, fabric-clothed lamps, and luxurious draperies. A $9 million spruce-up (due for completion by the end of 2006) isn’t straying from this look, even as it invigorates rooms with slightly more contemporary furnishings and a cobalt-accented palette of cream and gold. The room will feel like a home-away-from-home with its flat-screen televisions and wireless Internet access, which were included as part of the hotel’s recent upgrades. You can even step into the marble bathroom to enjoy a rainfall showerhead, which is part of the bathroom improvements, and find Bulgari White Tea bath products strategically placed on the counter.

You can look forward to a good night’s sleep with the downy featherbeds, duvets, and high-thread-count linens, which make the beds fluffy and inviting. Other pleasant details include large closets with ample hangers, potpourri sachets, and a rack for trousers. Multi-line telephones, alarm clocks with CD players, large desks, and lush robes are also standard amenities in all rooms.

I was pleased with how the housekeeping staff neatly prepared my bed for turndown, but I found their service, overall, to be inconsistent. Although I arrived when it was still light outside, my room was already turned down with lights lowered and soft music playing. After a shower I called for a refresh and housekeeping graciously obliged, but my clothes and shoes stayed as I had left them.

(+) Renovated guest rooms display signature Ritz-Carlton style
(-) More attention to detail on the part of housekeeping would be preferred

Facilities & Activities: The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City

Guests will find several recreation opportunities on-site -- a fitness center, an indoor lap pool, and sauna, steam room, and whirlpool facilities.

The gym is small at first glance, but features the right equipment – elliptical machines, treadmills, free weights, and cardio machines -- for a full-day workout. The gym attendant on hand during my workout was knowledgeable about the equipment, but didn’t circulate the gym to offer water or towels (only a few machines had them). The locker room did have a generous supply of towels, which I was happy to see, but the facility needed some tidying.

Men and women have separate steam and sauna facilities, and there’s a shared whirlpool area. Guests may also book massages (sports, Swedish, aromatherapy, among others) through the fitness center.

Adjoining the hotel is The Fashion Centre shopping mall and its more than 170 stores and boutiques. Anchored by Nordstrom and Macy’s, the mall offers a bountiful selection of trendy chain stores, shoe stores, and upscale choices.

The hotel is located in a DC suburb in Virginia, but the adjacent Metro station offers quick and easy access to Washington. The National Air and Space Museum and other National Mall sights are just two stops away, as are Arlington National Cemetery and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Ten minutes from the Ritz-Carlton is Historic Alexandria and its cobblestone streets and colonial houses. Pentagon Row, a short stroll from the hotel, has several ethnic dining options, including local favorites Lebanese Taverna and Thaiphoon, as well as such quick-bite stops as Au Bon Pain and less commonly-found stores such as Sur La Table and the Denim Bar. There’s also an Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa there.

(+) On-site fitness center and massage services, easy access to Metro and popular DC sights, plentiful local shopping and dining options
(-) Hotel gym’s locker rooms could be freshened more frequently, and its staff could be more proactive

Dining & Lounge: The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City

Guests will have two good options for dining when they visit – The Grill Restaurant, awarded a Mobil Three-Star rating, and The Lobby Lounge.

The Grill serves elegant contemporary and American fare in a handsome wood-paneled dining room. An impressive large floral arrangement greets guests near the restaurant entrance. Tables, also adorned with gorgeous bouquets (mixed roses when I visited), are topped with fine linens and lovely china. Crystal chandeliers, traditional paintings, and upholstered seating add to the private-club feel. The Grill’s menu ranges from unfussy preparations such as crab cakes with rémoulade sauce and a 12-ounce New York strip steak, to global-influenced dishes such as Moroccan-spiced rack of lamb. Prime rib is featured Friday and Saturday nights. The lunch menu is well rounded, with flavorful, healthy salads and sandwiches among the selections.

On Sunday, The Grill offers an extravagant Champagne brunch, a popular affair that includes a raw bar and live music. At the regular breakfast, diners may opt for the hot-and-cold buffet or order à la carte (as I did). I found the portion sizes just right, the staff attentive and expeditious, and the setting comfortable. The only small glitch was when staff began to prepare for lunch service midway through my breakfast, clanking dishes and talking loudly. Despite the distraction, however, the classy setting and otherwise wonderful service made for an enjoyable experience.

The hotel offers round-the-clock in-room dining. Cocktails, small dishes, afternoon tea, and free morning coffee are served in the plush Lobby Lounge, where oversized leather chairs, small tables, and cushy loveseats are grouped into smaller seating areas. The bar here has a large selection of premium vodkas and other spirits, as well as specialty coffees and cigars. Staff isn’t as polished as in the restaurant, but there are some nice touches, including martinis shaken and served tableside in fine glassware, and coffee served in a lovely cup and saucer. Live music is a big draw in the evenings, so you should arrive early to secure a spot.

(+) Classic restaurant with high-quality American fare, and comfortable Lobby Lounge with live music

Business Services: The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City

Thanks to large desks, good lighting, multiple phone lines, and high-speed Internet access (and, by the end of 2006, Wi-Fi), guest rooms offer a comfortable yet functional nook for business travelers.

The hotel also has a small but perfectly adequate business center that’s equipped with a few machines -- computers, printer, copier, and fax machine. I was impressed with how the center staff member quickly assisted me with retrieving and printing a document from a floppy disc.

The hotel is an ideal location for meetings, conferences, or retreats. Configurations vary, ranging from an intimate 310-square-foot room to a 7,200-square-foot ballroom that can be broken up into three smaller areas.

(+) Business travelers are well accommodated, whether they choose to work in the hotel’s fully equipped business center or in their guest rooms