The Smithsonian Vacation House - Walk To The Museums - Free Parking - Waterfront Reviews, Deals & Photos 2025

Q: Is The Smithsonian Vacation House - Walk To The Museums - Free Parking - Waterfront pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Q: Where is The Smithsonian Vacation House - Walk To The Museums - Free Parking - Waterfront located?

Located in Southwest, this vacation home is within a 15-minute walk of Museum of the Bible, National Mall, and International Spy Museum. United States Capitol and Smithsonian Institution are also within 1 mi (2 km). Waterfront Station is 8 minutes by foot and L'Enfant Plaza Station is 8 minutes.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Victoria M.

7 August 2014

Excellent Location

Location is excellent whether wanting to walk, drive or ride the Metro. Was disappointed that the grill didn't work & several things needed some attention; however, Wavely said he would send the plumber and another grill at 8 a.m. next day but we declined as the grill moment of July 4th had passed. He was easy to get in touch with during our stay. Still a month later we are waiting for return of our deposit which should be sent since many things needed fixing before we arrived. Overall, it was a good place for our family of 7.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Chuck F., Lakeland, FL

10 April 2013

Stop Looking! You Found The Right Place!

In twenty years of traveling, I have only walked away from two places without thinking, "They could have done a little better." The Smithsonian House is one of those places. The location is perfect. My wife and I set out to explore... walked ten minutes, looked up and The Washington Monument was to our left, and the Capital Building was to our right! We read that we would be close, but we never imagined we would be THAT close. I'm very apprehensive about neighborhoods, yet realized after we got home that I walked my entire family home from the Metro at midnight on one evening and didn't think anything at all about my wife and mother-in-law walking to the stores alone. Inside and out, the property was well suited to our needs and clean and well maintained. I traveled with my entire family and when I raise concerns about TVs in the extra bedrooms, the property manager had TVs installed before our arrival. The property manager was phenomenal! Even in 5 star hotels, I have never worked with someone so accommodating and attentive. We will return to DC again, because you can't see every thing in a week. When we return, The Smithsonian House will be home again!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Donna C., Concord, NC, USA

7 April 2017

Wedding

6 of us traveled to DC for granddaughter's wedding which unfortunately ended up being a very cold day. We arrived on Thursday night and it wasn't too cold and was able to get settled. The location is wonderful. Very convenient to everything, especially Navy Yard area and Nats Stadium. We were running around during the day on Friday and the owner sent maintenance man, Silva, over to replace some light bulbs. When we returned from the rehearsal dinner on Friday night, the temperature had dropped outside and the inside of the house was freezing. Called because heat wouldn't come on. Silva immediately came over to try and remedy the situation. He was awesome and did everything he could but ultimately the unit needed to be replaced and since it was the weekend that wasn't going to happen while we were there. They brought in space heaters so we were very warm in the bedrooms even though the downstairs was still very cold. The wedding was Saturday afternoon so again we weren't in the house much until bedtime. We left Sunday morning. Even though we had major issues, the response by Silva to try and resolve things was over and above. It was just too far out of his control.

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2017

10/10 Excellent

Matt D.

28 November 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

great location

location was fantastic - the owner was easy to communicate with - had a few things pop up but nothing that would cause us to not stay there again or work with the property owner

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Avery C.

14 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Super convenient, super cute

This charming townhouse was just what we needed for our DC vacation. We were able to walk nearly everywhere. The beds were comfortable, the neighborhood was quiet, parking was a snap due to the dedicated parking spot, and groceries were minutes away.

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christopher Z., Gardner, KS USA

10 July 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent for the cost.

The place is close enough to the National Mall to walk almost anywhere. Place had some minor damage when we got there but nothing bad. Worst thing was a bug was in kitchen, but the place was clean so I am assuming it came from another attached unit. For what it costs, this is a great place!

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

2/10 Terrible

Lisa K.

6 July 2022

Disliked: Cleanliness, communication, listing accuracy

Do Not Stay Here

The home was so run down and dirty no one got a good nights sleep in a week!! Upon check in the AC wasn’t adjusted like we were told it would be-so miserably hot. The door to the master bathroom is broken off the hinge-homeowner said they would fix it the next day and never heard another word and it was never fixed. Every towel in the home was left wet in the dryer so no one could dry off until they were all rewashed. After we had to go get laundry soap that was said to be provided. The “courtyard” is dirty and stairs are unsafe to walk on and could break at any moment-we couldn’t even bbq or enjoy the outdoors. The cockroach that greeted us was unpleasant, but we should have known that was how our stay would be. Don’t let any pictures or “good” reviews sway you. This house is horrible!!!! We flew across the country for this vacation and would never want another family to be as shocked and as disappointed as we were. We have many pictures to prove just how bad this house is!!!

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

4/10 Poor

Melissa M.

20 June 2022

Liked: Check-in, location

Pass on this property

I would pass on this property. They had window units in the bedrooms. The one in the master bedroom did close the outside elements out at all so we had mosquitos in the room. Also, the master bathroom had a moisture problem and it was literally leaking from the roof down to where if you didn’t have a towel down by the door, it would be wet where you could fall.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

6/10 Okay

Linda

19 June 2022

Liked: Communication

Disliked: Cleanliness

toilet paper holder had been ripped out of wall, had to balance paper on edge of tub. Tub didn't look clean so I showered although I prefer a bath. Bathroom floor in the corners was filled with a buildup of dirt. The property was advertised to sleep eight and at the last minute we were told that that 2 would have to sleep on blowup mattresses on living room floor. However the blowups did not retain air . So, the 3 teenage boys wound up on the couch. There were not enough washcloths. Bed linens were a low quality. Towels were good. When we stripped the beds on departure it revealed semen stains on the mattress pad (uggggh). We arrived with 2 cars but understood at the last minute that parking would be provided for only one car in the lot and that the other would have to park on the street. It would have been nice to know that the parking ticket (street signs were understandable by locals only) for $45.00 could have been avoided if the host had informed us of this so we could have moved the car. We thought that the parking "pass" assured us of a street space and it never occurred to us to move the car. I called the host on Thursday morning to tell him we were short of supplies (dishwasher soap and paper towels. He delivered them Thursday evening. Also, when I called him, I told him that we were considering checking out on Friday morning instead of Saturday and asked him if we could get a refund for the extra day. He refused. I'll dispute with c.c..We left apt. clean.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

David V.

13 June 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Family and Location

This property is well-suited for families visiting Washington DC. The location is great, a pleasant neighborhood in SW Washington, not far from the Capitol, the American Indian Museum, the Air and Space Museum. While the property has undergone a great deal of renovation, the front door lock needs work and the door to the master ensuite bath is falling off its hinges. Routine maintenance items. Also we have not yet heard anything about out damage deposit being returned.

Stayed 6 nights in May 2022

8/10 Good

Janel B.

2 June 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect location!

Great spot for getting the most out of location! Clean, nice neighborhood! We had a GREAT visit to DC!!

Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bev W.

11 May 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location

The location is perfect. Walking distance to the Wharf, close to museums and the mall. Supermarket within blocks. Close to I-395 and Regan National Airport. It was a perfect location for a reunion.

Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

8/10 Good

Meghan M.

25 April 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family DC Trip.

Easy location for our family to explore the city. From the wharf to the nearby metro we used this spot as a home base for a great family trip to our nations capital.

Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Megan R.

14 April 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location

Overbooked but host accommodated us

As a heads up: two days before our reservation, the host called me to let me know the property was overbooked and someone else had booked it first so he gave us the option to take a full refund or he could place us in another house that would accommodate our group. I was hesitant since there was no listing for this other property but since with such short notice there was nowhere else available we went with it. It turned out to be in a cute area of Georgetown instead, which was difficult since we had already booked tickets for activities on the other side of town. However the house was cute and clean, I did have to ask for extra blankets since the beds only had sheets on them. Other than that we enjoyed our stay and had a great weekend. He was accommodating of an early check-in and late checkout. Prior to this mixup, communication with he host was difficult - I messaged with a question about parking and he never responded until I messaged again and even then it took a couple days. After the overbooking, he gave his personal number and was easier to reach.

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Bonnie

1 April 2022

Liked: Cleanliness

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

The location of this property is what makes it worth the rental and cost. 15 minute walk to metro, grocery store, Starbucks and the wharf restaurants. Also close to Smithsonian and national mall within 30 minute walk. The condition of the property is what is disappointing. It is clear not much investment in furniture and most is cheap. Master bedroom did have a good bed.

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

2/10 Terrible

Denise H.

7 March 2022

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Nonresponsive Owner and filthy house

The house was dirty upon entry with the cleaning crew never showing up. The owner failed to respond to any inquiries including message, email and phone call. I had to clean the house and was stuck given friends flew in for a baby shower and I was hosting a party. Although the location was nice, the state of the house was unexceptable and I will not return nor recommend the house.

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jenna H.

19 November 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Genuinely delightful

This whole property is amazing. The parking is safe and private, the host is responsive and flexible, and the neighborhood is great. The whole house is always filled with natural light from the big windows, sunroom, and skylights throughout the second floor. Walking distance to groceries, coffee, restaurants, and the Capitol. Very quirky (in a good way!!!) and a really good choice for work or family.

Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021

6/10 Okay

Janelle S.

11 November 2021

Liked: Check-in, location

Disliked: Cleanliness, communication, listing accuracy

Great location, unprofessional experience

Our family of six stayed at the property for a few days while visiting Washington DC. We loved being able to walk to the Capitol Mall, grocery, and more. The area was safe and the dedicated parking spot was appreciated. However, the overall condition of the property was mediocre. Chair cushions were stained and chairs themselves were wobbly, towels and linens were randomly assorted and poor quality, electrical outlets were "loose" (cord would fall out when you tried to plug into the wall), and a huge mass of tangled wires behind the tv seemed unsafe. Overall, while the property seemed like it had been cleaned prior to our arrival (although my husband wound a women's bra in the couch cushions and a giant bug came out of the upstairs closet on the first night) the overall condition of the house was poor. In addition, check in/check out instructions were inconsistent - the wifi log in information provided was wrong and we had to call the owner to access it, check out time was listed at 9am but the owner told us 11 am. Finally, owner interactions were strange and a few hours after we checked out he called to complain that we had left a couple of upstairs windows open (my daughters had slept with the window above their bed slightly open and had forgotten to close it when we left ), and had left a few lights on. However, we were most disappointed when the owner accused us of causing a dent in the floor of the kitchen and telling us that we would have to pay for it to be fixed. This was not something we caused, and strangely we never saw a dent in the floor, even as we were leaving. He even went so far as to text me a photo of it and say that it would be our responsibility to fix it. The whole experience was strange and unprofessional. We would not stay again.

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Mary-Pat P.

22 October 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location!

Easy walk to get to the National Mall, Safeway was only a few blocks away. We had a few issues upon arrival, but contacted Wavely and issues resolved within 24 hours. They are in the process of updating furniture and other items in the house.

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

JOAN G.

29 September 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house and location

beautiful historical house but up to date facilities. It was the perfect location! Great people to deal with, very accommodating, will stay again!

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Joan B.

27 September 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

House was in a great location- walking distance to the Wharf area and the National Mall. House was well cleaned.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

2/10 Terrible

Sandy W.

30 August 2021

Liked: Location

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Dissatisfied!

Living space: terrible, unsafe and disappointing . Owner called my cell phone several times prior to (check-in). He never left a voice mail since his number is unidentified. I believed it was a spam call until he text me simply say (call me). That was disturbing and very unprofessional. I did not know whi he was until a few text later. I called him and he informed me that there was a plumbing issue that has been fixed. However there are (two holes) in the kitchen ceiling to ensure the plumbing issue was resolved. Key box: the condition was very old and not easily accessible even with the code provided. We had to call the owner for assistance. He knew why we were calling and walked us through on how to acess the key. Condition of rental space: they was a feeling of uneasiness thought the property. Inconsistency with theme and cleanliness of furnishings. Insect issue: Huge flies upon our arrival and well into the second day. We spent much time swatting and chasing these huge and very active flies. In total we killed 14. Also, each time we opened the front door there were hundreds of mosquitos to the point three guest left with ten+ bites by Sunday morning. The dining chair (4 out of 6) were stained and one extremely wobbly to the point we had to set it aside. In the same area there was an over the oven microwave sitting in the floor (upside down). The bedding in the first (secondary) was stained on both beds.The air conditioning unit in the bedroom closest to the wash and dryer was not securely installed. The two accordion side were not flush there leaving room for the heat, humidity, insects, rain, etc. The towels provided in the linen closet were worn out and very poor quality. Due to the look of them we decided to wash four sets Friday evening. When we opened the dryer they were clothes from a previous guest including panties and personal garments. The secondary bathroom: has a hole in the ceiling above the back part of the shower away from the shower head with no proper cover/vent. Very disturbing when you shower and looking at the hole. First floor half bath: has the same uncovered hole with no proper cover/vent. First floor wooden storage cabinet had two credit cards left in plain view. We were guessing previous renters. Access to back area with grill and patio seating: this unfortunately ran with the rest of our experience. There is (no) handle or lock on the back slider (only) a hole. Please have management contact me.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Brooke G.

11 August 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Review

The house size and location was great. Having a free parking space was really nice and not something you can easily find in DC. Mr. Wavely was very responsive whenever we needed to reach out.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Stefan H.

25 June 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Had a great time at the SWDC property. Great location, spacious, and comfortable. Thanks.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

Ami P.

16 May 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Quick DC Getaway trip

Myself and a few friends took advantage of low fares to Dc for the weekend. Waveley was very communicative. He lets us check in early and out late. Pros: LOCATION!!! Wavely strongly encouraged that we take the quick walk to the Monument. And we are so glad we did. It was an amazing site to see. Beautiful. There’s a Safeway grocery store and Starbucks about 2 blocks. Very convenient. Space: greatly accommodated 6 ladies and allll of our luggage. Parking was fine. We used the space designated to the house. Located perfectly right behind the house. The property description doesn’t list that. But there is one. I called Wavely and he promptly answered and let us know which parking space was him. Kitchen and bathrooms are pretty modern and very nice. Bedrooms: are nice and spacious. This could be a con for some as there’s just 1 TV in the master. We didn’t care tho. Cons: We didn’t get an opportunity to use the backyard. But it’s cute kinda small. The WiFi didn’t work. However I know if I called Wavely back I’m sure he would’ve fixed it. But none of us had to work. So no big deal. There were no wash clothes. But we just walked to Safeway and bought loofahs. Again no big deal. There were plenty of all other linens. The decor/furniture is worn. Could use an update. Some pieces clearly antique and have an odor. No biggie either. It is called the Smithsonian House. All in all Wavely was a great house and the house served our purpose. Great neighborhood. We sat on the front porch at night to people watch. Very safe neighborhood. Would definitely stay there again. Sorry Wavely! The last person to leave the house put the key inside the mail slot on the door. Instead of back in the box. But Wavely was cool about it. But our apologies! She was the last to arrive when we checked in and didn’t know where to put it. We were all on our flights so she couldn’t ask anyone. And we forgot to tell her. Our bad. But thanks for being so accommodating. You made our stay all the more better.

Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

The Smithsonian Vacation House - Walk To The Museums - Free Parking - Waterfront

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