Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center – Overview

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is a relatively new venue; it opened in 2008. The remarkableness of the complex is evident the second you walk through the front door. The sprawling event space frequently hosts all sorts of gatherings ranging from the tens to thousands. What makes Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center so unique is its role as a premier convention center and hotel. Altogether, the building houses 19 floors and close to 2,000 hotel rooms. The convention center portion is comprised of four floors with a variety of room types and sizes.

 

Overview

  • 546,889 sq. ft. of total event space – Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center may not be as expansive as some of the biggest convention centers in the country, but it still has a lot to offer. Between the four floors, visitors have meeting rooms, ballrooms, a sizeable exhibit hall, and plenty more to utilize.
  • 89 breakout/meeting rooms – There’s no better place to hold a meeting in the Oxon Hill, Maryland area than here. With 89 breakout and meeting rooms of different sizes, you can count on your meeting running smoothly. Rooms can be fitted with projectors, AV equipment, and other technical amenities. Several room setups are also doable, from a conference style to a classroom setting.
  • 180,000 sq. ft. exhibition hall – The Prince George’s Exhibition Hall is by far the largest contiguous space at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. The 180,000 square foot space can be divided into as many as five smaller rooms. It’s a go to spot for events in the area due to its flexibility. Because of the size, the exhibition hall can accommodate an array of configurations with tables, chairs, booths, etc.
  • 4 ballrooms ranging from 8,000 to 50,000 sq. – The convention center is always primed for a party thanks to its four ballrooms. The two larger ones can be found on the first floor: Maryland Ballroom and Potomac Ballroom. Similarly to the exhibition hall, these ballrooms can each be split into four lesser ballrooms. The third ballroom is ideal for smaller parties and gatherings. Unlike the other two, the Cherry Blossom Ballroom cannot be separated into different rooms. Another feature that’s unique to Cherry Blossom is the adjacent ballroom lobby space. Because the other two are housed on a floor with more breakout spaces, they don’t allow for a gathering area outside. Lastly, there’s the Riverview Ballroom. Like the name suggests, this one boasts a scenic view of the Potomac River. It’s not directly in the same building as the other three ballrooms, but it is on the property’s grounds.
  • On-site FedEx Office Business Center – Those who travel to convention centers for business events know how stressful it can be. Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center does everything it can to alleviate as much stress as possible. That’s why the complex provides guests with a FedEx Office Business Center. You can rely on this place for several vital services: copying, sending and receiving faxes, getting and sending packages, and reliable internet access.
  • 85,500 sq. outdoor space – With such a beautiful location along the Potomac River, it would be a shame to waste it. Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center utilized some of its space very effectively when it transformed it into an outdoor event area. The space itself is spread out across 85,500 square feet. It consists of the Orchard Terrace, Gaylord Pier, Potomac Terrace, Marina Promenade, Town Green, and Promenade Park. The Riverview Ballroom is also close by.
  • 1,996 hotel rooms (including 110 suites) – While many convention centers include an on-site hotel, Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center ups the ante. It is equal parts hotel and convention center. This place has 1,996 hotel rooms available across 19 floors. In some cases with on-site hotels, they book up really quickly whenever there’s a popular event happening. Because of the volume of rooms, this hotel doesn’t run that risk as easily. Booking as early as possible is always a good idea though.
  • Shops right in the hotel – Oxon Hill, Maryland, as well as the other nearby cities are teeming with stores. But sometimes, you might be feeling lazy. If that’s the case, you’re in luck. The building actually has a solid selection of shops; that means you don’t even have to go outside to do some shopping.
  • 24-hour fitness center & indoor pool – Exercising while you’re away can get tough. Not at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. The 24-hour fitness center is packed with cardio and weight training equipment. Regardless of the time, you can get a workout in. Just remember to pack your gym clothes. Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit either. The hotel also has a Junior Olympic-sized lap pool.
  • 7 on-site restaurants – A massive hotel has to have some dining options for guests. Here, you have seven to choose from. Each eatery has its own distinct vibe and décor, along with plenty of food and drink options. For more information on the on-site dining, read our article “Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center – Dining.
  • 24-hour self & valet parking – Accessible parking is a pretty big deal. You can count on it when you arrive at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Just look for the Gaylord Lot. There are a few other off-site lots that are less than a mile from the venue. And even more a mile or so out.
  • Only a half hour drive to Washington D.C. – This is one of the coolest things about staying at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. In about a half hour, you can be in the bustling metropolis of Washington D.C. It doesn’t get too much better than that.
  • Less than an hour drive from 3 major airports – Another awesome bonus of the venue’s location is how close it is to three of the area’s major airports. Reagan National Airport is only a 15 minute drive. Baltimore Washington International Airport and Dulles International Airport are just 45 minutes away.
  • Walking path that runs by the facility – Anyone who enjoys going for a morning stroll will be pleased. There’s a walking path right by the building. You can catch some pretty views of the Potomac River and National Harbor all while getting your steps in for the day.

 

Tips

  • Download “Navigate Gaylord Hotels App” on your phone – The Navigate Gaylord Hotels App is incredibly helpful for first time and returning guests. This useful app makes navigating the giant hotel and convention center very simple. It can also inform you of nearby attractions and restaurants you might want to visit, as well as special offers that are running at your resort that you are eligible for.
  • Bring some comfortable shoes – Between the size of the hotel and convention center, it’s guaranteed that you will be walking a lot. The last thing you need is for your dogs to be barking by the end of the day. Do yourself a favor and wear comfortable shoes whenever you can. You’re going to be covering a lot of ground while you’re there, especially if you plan on exploring the surrounding towns. Even if you have to carry around another pair of dressier shoes for the event you’re attending, it might be worth the minor inconvenience to preserve your feet from hurting or getting tired.
  • Take advantage of public transportation – There are several modes of public transportation that can take you to numerous popular towns and cities in the region. From the Harbor Circulator Bus that brings you to the Tanger Outlets and MGM National Harbor to the Metro train that drops you off in Washington D.C. Driving yourself is always an option too, but sometimes it’s nice to not have to deal with the traffic firsthand.
  • Countless shops and restaurants within walking distance – Here’s another instance when comfortable walking shoes are a definite plus. Venturing out to nearby towns is a great idea, but you won’t always want to travel that far. Whenever you’re looking for somewhere to eat or something to do that takes you away from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, check out the restaurants and stores in Oxon Hill. The venue is located in an advantageous spot for visitors. You can have a day or night out on the town without having to go very far.
  • Make sure to stop by National Harbor Marina – Depending on where your room is in the hotel, you might be overlooking National Harbor Marina. The second you spot the lit up Ferris wheel, you’ll want to go explore. Ride the Capital Wheel Ferris wheel. Enjoy a drink at The Flight Deck bar. Or, just relax and appreciate the stellar views from the dock.
  • If you like to gamble, stop by MGM National Harbor – No, you don’t have to go to Las Vegas to experience the wonders of an MGM Casino. All you have to do is take a three minute walk; that’s how far the casino is from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. MGM National Harbor has table games, poker, slots, and more.
  • Atrium facing rooms cost more – One of the hotel’s standout features is the naturally lit, lush atrium. The atrium is one of the coolest areas in the entire venue, so it’s not shocking that hotel rooms overlooking it will cost you more. If you value a gorgeous view than it might be worth spending more money. But every guest has access to the atrium, so getting a room with an atrium view isn’t essential.