So, we stayed at Penn during the Howard Homecoming weekend. It was cold on Friday when we arrived. We definitely looked for the heating and thermostat so we could warm up the room, only to find out that only air conditioning was on. No heat. October 21st, when it's supposed to be on from October 1 in DC. We did notice a sign that only cold air would come out if the heat wasn't turned on in the building, but no dates for when it would be on. We were given a small heater to heat the room after calling to find out the heat wasn't on. We should have been informed at check-in. It was 48 degrees that night and the next morning.
Then, in the middle of the night, around 3:30am, a fire alarm went off and we had to go outside in our pjs for 30 minutes. Glad the fire dept came and everyone was safe, but we weren't given an explanation of the situation once it was over. Also, with all the people using portable heaters in the building, it was terrifying to think that there really was a risk of fire that night!
With that, we liked the room and the building was cute. Location excellent. Wouldn't come back unless it was spring/summer though.