Sonesta Es Suites Fairfax Fair Lakes

“Great location and good breakfast”

This is one of the few places that offers a two-bedroom suite. My 98-yr-old mother wasn't fond of the fact that the rooms were not connected with the main building with the front desk, breakfast buffet, etc. I didn't mind it at all. The breakfast buffet was quite good - eggs were some of the best I… more

This is one of the few places that offers a two-bedroom suite. My 98-yr-old mother wasn't fond of the fact that the rooms were not connected with the main building with the front desk, breakfast buffet, etc. I didn't mind it at all. The breakfast buffet was quite good - eggs were some of the best I've had at a hotel with the exception of them being made to order. Everything was fresh and not overcooked. I would have liked more fruit (cut up or whole) and my mom would have liked pastries. Rooms were nicely appointed and clean. Great location too. We will go back.

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“Economic and comfortable extended stay option near Dulles.”

Nicely refurbished Sonesta suites, with well provisioned and comfortable rooms. Furnishings and interior have been refreshed in past few years and the tv and WiFi system is excellent. Bedding and bathrooms comfortable and toiletries of a good standard. The courtyard space is gorgeous and the gym is… more

Nicely refurbished Sonesta suites, with well provisioned and comfortable rooms. Furnishings and interior have been refreshed in past few years and the tv and WiFi system is excellent. Bedding and bathrooms comfortable and toiletries of a good standard. The courtyard space is gorgeous and the gym is above average for this level of property. Newish appliances in kitchenette and inbuilt ice-maker in fridge. Good shopping adjacent, along with walkable pub/restaurant, Starbucks, petrol, grocery stores etc. Onsite coin laundry. just around the corner from regular and express exits for I-66. Warm welcome from the helpful reception team. Downsides are minimal, but noticeable. Some details in rooms are missing - no desk chair at a large desk make that workspace unusable, small garbage bins and no recycling, no privacy curtains in the window - only heavy drapes. From pictures online this seems limited to some rooms, so perhaps I was just unlucky. Free breakfast low on fresh or healthy options. Parking charge of $5 per night a bit silly for such a suburban location - the carpark is hardly in demand! Some clientele appear to be living full-time in hotel and gives it a seedier feel than it should merit. On the whole, I would use this hotel again.

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“Not bad but could be so much better”

My family and I stay at this Sonesta property for about a week at a time when we visit family and friends in the area. We've probably stayed at this Sonesta hotel six times since 2019 and we almost always get the double bedroom. Positives: The location is great and the staff is always friendly an… more

My family and I stay at this Sonesta property for about a week at a time when we visit family and friends in the area. We've probably stayed at this Sonesta hotel six times since 2019 and we almost always get the double bedroom. Positives: The location is great and the staff is always friendly and responsive. Negatives: There are just a few recurring issues that we think could make the hotel so much more attractive and enjoyable. 1) The room lighting is just too dim. We resort to bringing our own lamps and bulbs because the low-wattage bulbs used in the main rooms and bathroom shower are just too dim. The dim lighting makes the room look dated. And there is one small lamp next to the couch with a round globe that gives off a very bluish light that is hardly usable. Not sure why it is there. Seems like an afterthought 2) The room always has an interesting smell similar to a dirty vacuum bag that needs to be replaced. 3) We always feel like the carpets are not clean based on their appearance so we avoid walking on them barefoot or let our child sit on the floor. 4) The water pressure in some of the showers is too low. I don't know if it is the shower head but we know some rooms we have stayed in had low water pressure coming out of the shower. This was the case in room #116 we stayed in last year and #119 on our most recent stay. There is nothing significantly wrong with this hotel but it is in dire need of an update. If this hotel could be renovated with brighter lights, updated decor, and replace the worn out carpets and furniture, I think this could be one of the best hotels in the area when you factor in the convenience and location. I think next year we will take a closer look at the competition.

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