Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Alexandria-Historic District

We stayed in a suite. Staff was friendly, there are restaurants within walking distance. Hotel room and bathroom were clean and they take pets. Hotel does look a little worn. The breakfast was good. This hotel is located 5 blocks from the water and 1 block from restaurants. Parking is underground.

Nope. Not again.
1. Indoor Pool not available for use.
2. Hot tub not available for use.
3. AC and Heat control not available for us.
4. Breakfast buffet not available with fees already paid.
5. No free shuttle to Metro.
6. Rudest people I have ever met at the front desk. NOT HELPFUL.
Ok with all that… the room we stayed in for four nights at 650.00 (yep, no buffet included) was very clean, comfortable and well maintained. The area is safe and the grocery store about ½ mile away is easy to get to and well supplied. The shuttle to the airport is VERY accurate with time and the drivers are very nice and helpful.
I will not stay here again though. It’s crazy that I couldn’t control our temperature in our room because the hotel engineers didn’t feel it was necessary (as explained to me). I was roasting at night and a little cool would have been nice. I couldn’t open the patio door because there was no screen and didn’t feel like dealing with bugs flying in.
The facilities as advertised are not available and the front desk staff didn’t seem to think that was a big deal. After walking DC and over 10 miles, the hot tub and a glass of wine would have been nice. But nope…
Next time… another place…

I loved my stay. The beds and pillows are nice. The hotel is nice. The staff is so friendly and helpful.
Great place to stay and great price.

Hotel needs some remodeling! The restaurant closes at 9:00pm. They gave me the suite room: big spacious room, but with old carpet all the way on the floor. I noticed some mild dew on the shower door: this is an indication that the hotel needs some remodeling. I asked for some water (basic essential need to life … Not large space) and I had to negotiate with the person at the front desk to get 2 simple, basic water bottles.

Completely my fault for not checking reviews here before my wife and I booked two nights here. I immediately canceled the second night and booked someplace else. After staying four nights at the Hilton in Mark Center we wanted to be closer to family residing in a rental home near by and try and save a little money at least in parking fees which at the Hilton were $ 24 per day. We expected a much less beautiful room but expected a Holiday Inn to at least be clean. The Lobby fooled us because the room screamed Bates Motel. Not a completely horrible experience the staff was very pleasant but the linens, carpet and bathroom was dirty/​subpar and definitely not worth the rate. Seems like Holiday Inn slapped their name on an old crappy hotel and did a shabby job rehabbing it. Shame I didn’t check all the reviews here first and was fooled by a decent lobby. Please excuse my horrible grammar I’m writing this at 1:30 am after about :30 mins after getting in this gross room. My wife doesn’t even want to use the sheets and I don’t blame her.

The hotel itself is decent-​comfy beds, pillows and such but that’s about it. We were highly impressed with the way they had the lobby decorated for the upcoming Christmas season but that’s seriously as good as it got. Upon checkin we were not given any sort of information about where things were or the wifi at all just a simple sliding of the room key and that was it.
The shuttle… that’s where they get you. When we got picked up from the airport they were great, arrived on time the driver was very sweet and loaded up our bags very quickly and upon dropping us off was very kind and told us what was in the area to enjoy. Upon hearing this our group was told that the shuttle would also take us down to the popular King Street where there was popular shopping as well as a wide variety of restaurants to eat at. When the driver dropped us off we asked to verify the pick up times as well as the location and we were told they pick us up at the same location at 20 past the hour. We ate and came back at 15 past the hour and started our freezing wait in the 45 degree weather for the longest time for this shuttle who never seemed to show. We called at 15 past when we got there to verify the time FOR THE THIRD TIME to make sure we had the right time and at 45 past the hour we decided to walk towards the hotel in hopes of seeing the driver so he could pick up our freezing group along the way. We then saw him going towards the hotel which means that he completely skipped the pick up spot and had already rounded the block. We called the hotel and they said to go to the Crown Plaza and the shuttle driver would pick us up from there since that is where his driver was… after waiting for the driver for 7 minutes a driver finally showed up and took us back to the hotel.
Upon arriving back in the lobby we talked to Shawn behind the desk and he still would not accept fault for anything that had happened all he would say is how he «understood» not that he was sorry or do anything to fix the issue until the other member in my group flat out said «what are you going to do to fix this?» Shawn then responded with «we aren’t at that level yet.» So apparently waiting for TWENTY FIVE MINUTES IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES isn’t enough for even a simple I’m sorry or any attempt at resolution at the issue.
He ended up finally agreeing to a complimentary item from the room service list which I ordered from him at 7:27 PM and he said would be delivered in twenty minutes well now it’s 7:55 and I’m still here waiting…
Worst customer service skills at this location, if you are doing anything more than traveling to and from the airport and sleeping in your room and never having to deal with the staff you should be accommodated by the bare minimum but anything more than that and you’d have better luck literally anywhere else but here.
Good luck!

I’ve stay here a few times! It’s okey!
It’s clean and stuff is nice !
Room service is a little hard to get a hold off and Manu is not vegan friendly but over all I would stay here again

FYI, this is a review I somehow never posted from October 2012 and it’s been sitting in my box since then so hopefully things have improved greatly: This is for the restaurant only. My kids, parents and I met my aunt and uncle there for breakfast on a weekday morning. We were seated shortly before 9AM, there were only 2 other patrons in the restaurant, yet our food was delivered meal by meal with the last meal arriving at 10:05AM… over an hour since we sat down! Most was cold, 2 orders were completely messed up and the waitress was anything but pleasant. I never complain in restaurants if the food/​service was bad… I just don’t return. But I couldn’t sit back and pay for something so completely sub par. I found a manager, who was pleasant and apologetic and she offered to cover our entire meal. I went back to the table, saw the manager talking with the waitress and the waitress came back with our bill saying she had reduced it by 25%. I told her the manager had said it would be free. She came back again with a completely different attitude than she had during the entire meal process, apologized profusely and made up some excuse of it being busy. I left a $ 20 tip as I didn’t want to embarrass my aunt and uncle who were staying there.

This is a decent hotel. They have agreeable employees, better than average rooms, and a satisfactory breakfast buffet.
However, be warned that their internet (wireless) does not work with government NMCI laptop computers. I mentioned this to the folks at the front desk on two different shifts that this was unacceptable for federal travelers who frequent the area. The front desk staff gave me blank stares and would only repeat the phrase «the internet is wireless».
Why they don’t have at least one or more wireless bridges for government employees to use their Ethernet-​only government issued laptops is beyond me. If you’re an NMCI user on business travel you’ll do well to check with another nearby hotel until they alleviate this situation.

This holiday inn could use some updating. The lobby is ok looking but thats about where it ends. The rooms are in desperate need of a 2015 makeover. And it wouldn’t hurt to flip the mattresses every now and then; I don’t like feeling like in some sex sling in a sex club in Berlin while I’m trying to sleep. The front desk staff were nice and that’s what got this place above one star. If your the manager reading this, PLEASE GET NEW MATTRESSES THAT ARENT SINKING LIKE QUICKSAND! Also hallway noise very easily carries into the room; sound proofing is a novel idea now isn’t it?

My letter to IHG Customer Service upon our return…
We have just returned from a three night stay at the Holiday Inn Express Alexandria — Historic District. We have been committed IHG members for the last year. Our travel needs are increasing and our commitment is wavering. The inconsistencies amongst IHG properties is frustrating. I am unable to book a hotel without first combing TripAdvisor, Unilocal and the like to see which IHG property I’m getting in to.
We spent a lovely weekend this summer at the Holiday Inn Baltimore Inner Harbor. We also spent a night in the Holiday Inn Express Coachella Valley that was one of the dirtiest, rudest places ever. Followed by a town in Nebraska which escapes me, but it was Nebraska so we gave IHG a pass. We thought the hotel next door to ours was an abandoned building and it was a functioning hotel. So we figured we’d better set the bar low.
But it was this weekends stay at the Holiday Inn Express Alexandria — Historic District that has made us reconsider being IHG members and building a relationship elsewhere.
1) We were given no area information or shuttle information upon check in. We received all helpful information from other guests and finally were given a shuttle schedule when we asked about it at the front desk. The shuttle service was prompt and polite. Shuttle to King Street area does not start until late afternoon, nor does the pool open until late afternoon. This should be stated clearly on the website.
2) We were given a room upgrade to a suite, we were told it was the nicest room. If that is true, I’d hate to see the standard room. If I was a new IHG customer and paid full price for that disgusting mess I’d have left immediately. The deep, nasty stains on the carpet were the first things to greet us. Then the unlit mini kitchen area, we actually used the flashlight app on our phone to make coffee. The bed is a SOFA BED, a pull out SOFA BED.
The shower stunk like mildew and did not seal, the water poured out onto the floor. There is a oddly large wall next to the shower, but no towel racks or hooks. The outdoor seating area is damaged, old and overlooks the top of the abandoned grocery store next door.
The bed is a PULL OUT SOFA BED. Did I mention that? I cannot get over that. It was so weird it was almost comical.
3) We were charged $ 20.00 a day for parking when there is ample street parking all around the building. Unlimited hours on the weekends. When I asked about it I was told the parking was already charged. Basically, tough luck.
4) No housekeeping service until well after 5:00 pm on all days. Ridiculous. Getting back to the room and wanting to have a glass of wine and freshen up for dinner. Nope.
5) Our last night there a very loud group checked into the room sharing a wall and adjoining room door with ours. They left and returned at about 2:00 am, very obnoxiously intoxicated. Yelling and crashing around. I called the front desk and was told they’d send security. We waited… watching out the peephole and listening as the noise escalated. No one came.
6) I could not get out of that dirty, weird hotel room fast enough. Backs aching from sleeping on a SOFA BED for three nights. Normally when ending a long weekend I’m sad to go. We left after about two hours of sleep after our neighbors finally passed out.
When we reached Spire Elite we decided to gift the Platinum status to my parents. At this point we’ve changed our minds as we don’t want them to wonder if we were actually doing them a disservice. I would have been mortified if they received the room we spent the weekend in and the lack of service.
I am planning a Thanksgiving trip to the Atlantic Coast, our first visit there. It may be our first trip in a long time with a new hotel chain.
I’ll be posting this letter as a review on TripAdvisor and Unilocal with photos attached.

We stayed at this Hoiday on 7÷29÷15 .It was dirty and out dated, not up to hoiday inn standards. Breakfast was over priced also they have a $ 20 parking fee. Would never stay again!!!

I watched a homeless man get kicked out. So that’s cool… I guess. I think that’s a problem in this area?
This hotel is really old, hence the «historic». My room was a nice size, clean, had a fridge, and the bathroom was a fairly decent size. However, my toilet was kind of weird. The lobby is really outdated but the front desk staff is nice and accomodating. I actually was impressed with how they handled kicking out the homeless because I know I felt a lot safer after he was gone.
This hotel is about a 15 – 20 minute walk from King Street which is a straight shot. Along the way you’ll run into Trader Joe’s and another grocery store. So there’s plenty to do in this area as your headed your way down to King Street.
My company has a contract with this hotel so I do like the area it’s in. The hotel itself though is just meh.

The only good thing about this Hotel is its clean and neat. I had asked for a 2 double bed room that could sleep a family of 4. Normally hotels provide queen size beds at minimum when they say double beds. The double beds here were small full size beds which could sleep not more than 1 person comfortably on each bed. We literally had to adjust ourselves to fit on the bed. They charge 20 $ a day for parking. Breakfast is not complimentary. For 15 $ per head, you simply get a substandard breakfast with very limited options (fewer than what most motels provide). The bagels looked like they were several days old.

I practically lived here in 2013. While on a business trip with my family. They never cleaned our room, even with many requests, it was never done… But they did comp us with free dinners. It’s in a nice location, and they have bikes. They have a shuttle that tajes you to king st and you can also use the airport shuttle to get to DC proper. You can take the subway from the airport… The pool is esp nice on the summer, cause it’s partly outdoors!

This is a Holiday Inn, and was exactly what I expected from a Holiday Inn.
After having already booked, I was set up for disappointment by all of the Unilocal reviews, so I figured I’d review and set a few things straight.
I didn’t see a bug, short of the mint green one that was parked next to me in the garage. The shower didn’t drip, the faucet didn’t drip, the toilet didn’t make noise, none of that. In one review, the lady was disappointed that they didn’t have a Bed Bath and Beyond selection of shampoos, what a weirdo. They had what I would call normal bathroom shampoo? The usual coconut smelling little bottles that you secretly sneak home with you. I am sure if she asked for extra they’d have given it to her. Too much light? What are you a hermit? Too dark? Got a problem with lamps and opening the curtains?! Some people are very hard to please I’m sure. Fitness center was small? Its a Holiday Inn –not a Crossfit box, and there is one down the street if you’re feeling desperate. There is a small pool and a small courtyard too.
Listen, if you’re like the negative Unilocalers and anticipate this being the Ritz Carlton of Holiday Inns –its not, its a Holiday Inn –go check into the Ritz, its only several hundred per night more.
The WiFi is slow, but why you visit Alexandria and stay within walking distance of King Street and want to sit in your room and watch Netflix is beyond me. I dunno about the outlets being blocked by the bed, but the lamp had an outlet in the front of it and I conveniently charged my phone without rearranging any furniture. It is not a 30 minute walk to King Street, unless you need to take breaks along the way. I suggest you drive because VA weather can be unpredictable and walking in the cold and rain sucks.
If you want to stay at a clean, moderately cheap hotel not far from King St then this hotel is a good visit. If you anticipate lion statues and waiters with towels folded over their arms –probably not so much.
Across the street is a Giant (that’s the name of it) supermarket, so you can get whatever you want for your stay without going broke. The room had a mini-​fridge (no microwave though) to stock with water, soda, leftovers, whatever. Plus, King St isn’t far, we drove because it probably is a long walk for anyone wearing heels (her, not me). There was a nice restaurant and bar in the lobby (I didn’t eat at it). There was a small café in the lobby that had decent coffee and little sandwiches and stuff like that.
ONE complaint! You have to pay for parking. I hate that. I know that’s normal in Virginia and maybe it doesn’t bother other people, but I think that they should include it in the price of the room. The garage is okay, I think it had 6’3″ clearing and my SUV made it thru fine, and the elevator garage elevator goes to the lobby and room floors.
We also ate at Flat Iron steak not far from the hotel and I highly recommend it. We ate at Red Rock Pizza and it was good too.

Everything looks nice and neat. but there is no heat!!! and its nov!! its 35 degrees out side!!! other than that everything looks nice and neat and the staff is attentive

There is no way this hotel is anymore than two stars. No way.
First, it’s situated in a part of Old Town I didn’t even know existed because it sits so far away from King St. that you can only find it with a GPS.
Went in late with a co-​worker, asked for rooms on the same floor, if not very close together. Went up to the rooms and that’s where MY fun began. My co-​worker, by the way, thought her room was ‘adequate.‘
The first thing I noticed was how incredibly cold it was in the room. Then it hit me that the room had too much space for the furniture in it. Come to find out it’s handicap accessible. As astute as I can be, this didn’t come to me until after I’d already unpacked (if I’m going to be somewhere for four days, I move in). Once I unpack I refuse to put all of my things back into a suitcase that took me two hours to fill. It doesn’t work for me. I should have rethought that position.
This room was so disgusting I couldn’t believe they actually rented it. One of the more obvious defects was that one of the curtains was torn and hanging limply. That’s so unattractive. There was no microwave or fridge. This being a sort of business hotel I would think they’d at least have a place to warm up leftovers from the fabulous cocktail hour where you stole all those weenies and cheese. No, sorry, cold weenies for you.
Everything seemed very old and used. It felt sort of Bates Motel-​ish to tell the truth. The air conditioner worked on its own time, the internet was abysmal. My co-​worker with the same cell carrier as myself always had bars in her room. I’m pretty sure my room was reinforced with steel and concrete to assure that I’d never have contact with the outside world while in there. Terrible.
The tub wouldn’t drain water. Oh, that’s because the stopper wouldn’t stay up by itself. The bathroom was huge, too. It was just so disconcerting and cold and sterile. At lease my co-​worker had a cozy room with full length mirrors and a nice closet area. I had none of that. It was so hideous.
To cap all of this off the beds were hard and those pillows. I have never, ever, ever in my years of travel even to the most remote of places (Bosnia, anyone?) have I ever put my head down on pillows this ridiculous. They were square, hard and small. Whoever dreamed those up needs a new job. Like at 7 – 11 where ingenuity this great will get you sweeping the parking lot.
The only good part about this place was that it was quiet, the bar was good and the bartenders were funny and personable.
There are better hotels in this area, FIND THEM.

Alex front desk very helpful. So that was a nice entrance… Helped guide me to some local dinner spots.
Décor OK. Beautiful exterior lobby — medium — plus, I don’t sit out in the lobby, it was too cold for outside patio and the restaurant was closed due to holiday season (???). So unfortunately I wasn’t able to reap the décor refinery.
Balcony — plus, i love having a punch of cool crisp Washington air… So yum.
Then it got fun…
Dripping in the shower I was about to put a big squirt of body lotion in my hair. Wait for it: no conditioner. Killed 20 minutes of my very early morning prep to wait for someone to bring me conditioner. Now that kills an experience. I wouldn’t have dreamed to ask at the front desk for conditioner while checking in.
Buffet closed. No way, Christmas season — no dinner, room service available??? Breakfast — deserted area — to get a server out was a mission — just hassle and hassles.
Also, the morning of my conditioner fiasco the front desk manager assured me (after me questioning 5 times) that I would have conditioner in my room. You got it — no, next morning same dripping mess again.
I don’t want hassles. I don’t need luxurious spas. I need easy, efficient, clean and this Holiday Inn disappointing. Stay in Holiday Express only — FOR ME!

I’ve been to this hotel before and I practically had no issues back then so I decided to come back here on my quick DC visit.
Location: Couple of blocks away from the metro station and a couple of blocks away from historic downtown Alexandria.
They were pretty cool and they got me an early check in with no issues whatsoever. They offer a free shuttle to the Braddock Metro Station as well as Reagan International.
There’s a bar in the lobby, a restaurant that serves pretty much everything, indoor pool and a fitness center on the 2^nd floor.
Decent rooms with HBO and free wi-​fi. If you’re a Holiday Inn frequent member, they give you a nice little gift bag with some goodies. They also provide you with at least 8 or 9 pillows per bed so you can pretty much build a fort if you wanted to. They give you free USA Today newspaper every morning.