My friends and I stayed at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington Virginia for our trip to the 2009 Inauguration of President Barack Obama. It is conveniently located only two miles from Washington DC and right next to Crystal City Metro stop.

My mom and dad made the reservations for my friends and me at a Marriott because they know that all Marriott Hotels are fully wheelchair accessible. I’ve been very comfortable at every Marriott I’ve ever stayed in because they are very accessible.

Entering the hotel is easy for a nice doorman always is there to open the door for you. The lobby is beautiful and very spacious with every area having full wheelchair access. There are some areas with steps but close by is a sloped floor that leads you to the area. The restrooms located off the lobby are very spacious and fully ADA compliant for wheelchair accessibility.

I was especially happy to see that this Marriott has a wheelchair accessible customer service desk which makes check in very easy. Juliana, the manager of Crystal Gateway Marriott greeted me with kindness and was very courteous and accommodating.

My friends and I got our room key and headed to the elevator which we found spacious and was able to fit all four of us; me in my wheelchair; all of our luggage and my roll-in-shower chair that I always bring with me when I travel.

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Our wheelchair accessible room was perfect. It very spacious with two large double size beds; a sitting area; a wheelchair accessible desk; a large flat screen TV; a large wheelchair accessible bathroom; a large roll-in shower; a wheelchair accessible sink; an ADA compliant toilet; ADA required safety grab bars at a perfect height.

The most amazing part is that the indoor pool and hot tub in this Marriott are wheelchair accessible! The pool has a chair lift to transfer a person from a wheelchair into the pool and the hot tub has a sling lift to transfer a person into the hot tub.

Only problem is – We didn’t bring our bathing suits! Getting into the nice hot tub every night would have felt wonderful after returning long days of sightseeing, travel and the cold.

I give Crystal Gateway Marriott FIVE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. I give Juliana and all the staff at this Marriott FIVE STARS for their hospitality and great service. Thank You!