Cobblestone streets, Potomac waterfront, 15 minutes from the Mall by Metro — and usually better rates than staying in DC proper.
Old Town Alexandria is one of the best-kept secrets in the DC area for visitors who want to stay somewhere that actually feels like a place. Historic brick rowhouses, a walkable waterfront, independent restaurants, and a King Street that rewards an afternoon of wandering — all 15 minutes from the National Mall on the Blue or Yellow Line. And the hotels here are genuinely good, at rates that frequently undercut comparable DC properties.
This is where locals send family when they visit. Here’s exactly where to stay.
Where to Stay in Old Town Alexandria
Our top picks by category — vetted, specific, and linked directly to booking.
Morrison House
Autograph Collection property in a Federalist townhouse. Intimate, well-located, genuinely distinguished.
Check RatesHyatt Centric Old Town
Modern, well-run, rooftop bar with Potomac views. Walking distance to King Street Metro.
Check RatesEmbassy Suites Alexandria
Suite-style rooms, free breakfast, evening reception. Gives families real space without the DC price tag.
Check RatesHampton Inn Old Town
Reliable, well-maintained, free breakfast. Consistent value when the boutique properties are out of budget.
Check RatesWhy Stay in Old Town Instead of DC?
Fifteen minutes on Metro. Better rates. A neighborhood that actually has character. And you’re not fighting DC parking every time you leave the hotel.
Most visitors default to staying in DC proper — Penn Quarter, Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle — without realizing that Old Town Alexandria offers a genuinely superior experience for the same money or less. The Blue and Yellow Metro lines run directly from King Street–Old Town station into the heart of DC in about 15 minutes. You can be at the Smithsonian, the monuments, or Capitol Hill faster than someone walking from a DC hotel that’s off the main corridors.
The neighborhood itself is the other argument. Old Town’s cobblestone blocks, independent restaurants, and Potomac waterfront give you something to do when you’re not sightseeing — which most DC neighborhoods don’t. It’s genuinely pleasant to walk back to your hotel here. That matters over a long weekend.
The King Street Free Trolley runs the length of King Street from the Metro station to the waterfront, all day, every day — no fare required. It’s one of the most useful free transit options in the entire DC area and makes the whole neighborhood feel effortlessly walkable even if you’re not up for the hike.
Best Hotels in Old Town Alexandria
Boutique & Luxury
Morrison House
A Federalist-style boutique property with 45 rooms and suites, a serious restaurant (King & Rye), and the kind of understated elegance that makes Marriott’s Autograph Collection actually earn the designation. The most distinguished address in Old Town.
→ Check rates on Hotels.comLorien Hotel & Spa
Kimpton property with a spa, contemporary interiors, and Brabo restaurant — one of the better dining rooms in Old Town. The Kimpton brand delivers consistently and this property is one of their stronger mid-Atlantic locations.
→ Check rates on Hotels.comHotel Heron
A newer Hilton Curio Collection property with a distinct personality and strong location. Worth checking rates — it frequently outperforms on value for a boutique-tier experience.
→ Check rates on Hotels.comThe Alexandrian
A solid Autograph Collection property with a good King Street location, well-appointed rooms, and a reliable full-service experience. A step down from Morrison House but a meaningful step up from the chain properties.
→ Check rates on Hotels.comFull-Service & Well-Located
Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria
Modern, well-run, and positioned right in the heart of Old Town with a rooftop bar that has Potomac views. Walking distance to King Street Metro. The most straightforward full-service recommendation in the neighborhood.
→ Check rates on Hotels.comHilton Alexandria Old Town
A larger property that works well for groups and those who want the full Hilton infrastructure — points, loyalty perks, reliable service — in a good Old Town location.
→ Check rates on Hotels.comBest for Families & Extended Stays
Embassy Suites Alexandria Old Town
Suite-style rooms with separate living areas, free made-to-order breakfast, and the evening reception with complimentary drinks and snacks. Families consistently rate this as the best value in Old Town — the free breakfast alone covers a meaningful chunk of what you’d spend elsewhere.
→ Check rates on Hotels.comResidence Inn Old Town Duke Street
Full kitchens, separate living spaces, free breakfast, grocery delivery service. The right call for longer stays or anyone who wants the ability to cook. Well-maintained and consistently reviewed.
→ Check rates on Hotels.comBest Value
Hampton Inn Alexandria Old Town King St Metro
Reliable Hampton Inn right near the Metro station — free hot breakfast, consistent quality, and the best price-to-location ratio in the neighborhood when the boutique properties are out of budget. The name says it all: King Street Metro is steps away.
→ Check rates on Hotels.comHotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria
IHG’s boutique-adjacent brand with a distinct design aesthetic and good King Street location. Often priced between the chain properties and the true boutiques — a solid middle-ground option.
→ Check rates on Hotels.comWhat Old Town Alexandria Is Actually Like
Old Town is one of the oldest continuously inhabited European settlements in North America. The streets closest to the waterfront — the numbered streets crossing King — date to the 1700s, and the architecture reflects that. Walking from your hotel to the Potomac riverfront, you pass independent bookshops, wine bars, oyster restaurants, and the kind of local businesses that disappeared from most American cities decades ago.
King Street is the main corridor — walkable, lined with restaurants and shops, and anchored by the George Washington Masonic National Memorial at the top of the hill. The waterfront at the bottom has a boardwalk, boat tours, and outdoor dining that looks across to National Harbor on the Maryland side.
Metro: King Street–Old Town station (Blue & Yellow Lines) — 15 min to DC
Free Trolley: Runs King Street from Metro to waterfront, all day, no fare
Water Taxi: Seasonal service to National Harbor and The Wharf in DC
Airport: Reagan National (DCA) is 10 minutes by car or one Metro stop
Parking: Street parking available; most hotels charge for parking — factor this in
Best for: Couples, families, senior travelers, anyone wanting character over convenience
Getting to DC from Old Town
- Metro Blue or Yellow Line from King Street–Old Town station — 15 minutes to L’Enfant Plaza, 20 minutes to Metro Center. See our DC Metro guide for full details.
- King Street Free Trolley — runs from the Metro station to the waterfront on King Street. No fare, no fuss, runs all day.
- Water Taxi — seasonal service connects Old Town’s waterfront to The Wharf in DC and National Harbor. Our DC Water Taxi guide covers schedules and stops.
- Reagan National Airport (DCA) is one Metro stop from King Street–Old Town. See our Reagan National tips for everything you need on arrival.
- Driving into DC — read our DC parking guide and best DC parking apps before you go. Leaving the car in Old Town and taking Metro is almost always the better move.
Old Town Alexandria for Seniors and Accessible Visitors
Old Town is one of the more accessible neighborhoods in the DC area — flat along King Street and the waterfront, with Metro accessibility at King Street station. The historic cobblestone blocks closer to the waterfront can be challenging for mobility devices; the parallel streets one block over are paved. See our accessible DC travel guide and DC for seniors guide for full planning details.
Search All Old Town Alexandria Hotels
Rates and availability shift constantly. Check across platforms to find the best deal for your dates — the same hotel can vary significantly between booking sites.
Quick Reference: Where to Stay in Old Town Alexandria
| If You Want | Book This |
|---|---|
| Best boutique | Morrison House — Autograph Collection |
| Rooftop bar + full service | Hyatt Centric Old Town |
| Best for families | Embassy Suites Old Town — free breakfast + suite rooms |
| Extended stay / kitchen | Residence Inn Old Town Duke Street |
| Best value near Metro | Hampton Inn Old Town King St Metro |
| Spa + Kimpton experience | Lorien Hotel & Spa |
| Metro to DC | Blue/Yellow Line — King Street station, 15 min |
| Airport | Reagan National (DCA) — one Metro stop away |
| Free trolley | King Street — Metro to waterfront, all day, no fare |
| Water taxi to DC | Old Town waterfront to The Wharf — seasonal |
Old Town Alexandria is the kind of place that converts visitors into people who specifically request it next time. The neighborhood is real in a way that most hotel districts aren’t, and the logistics — Metro, trolley, water taxi, DCA a stop away — make it easier to get around the DC area than staying in most parts of DC proper. Book the boutique if the budget allows. Book Embassy Suites if it doesn’t. Either way, you’ll be glad you stayed here.
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