Westin Alexandria Old Town offers fitness-minded Marriott members a superb, refined approach in Northern Virginia and nearby Washington DC.
Location
Opposite the courthouse near the US Patent Office, the Westin Alexandria Old Town is in the heart of classic Alexandria. Accessible by the nearby Capital Beltway (I-495), six minutes south of the Pentagon and major attractions in Washington DC, and just 7 miles from Reagan National Airport.
Address: 400 Courthouse Square, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: +1 (703) 253-8600
The Westin Alexandria Old Town is part of the Marriott Bonvoy program. Be sure to read – Everything You Wanted To Know About Marriott Bonvoy.
Lobby
Double-height ceilings with natural features greet guests. A strength of the lobby is the casual nature of chairs and sofas away from reception (to the right of the entrance) where I often saw lawyers and inventors preparing for upcoming meetings at the US Patent office. To the left, past the seating areas, was Trademark Drink and Eat serving cocktails and dinner in the evening, hosting breakfast in the morning.
Despite the rest of the hotel’s business-first approach, Trademark had a split personality. One part breezy banana republic where Hemingway in the corner would have not been given a second look; one part sports bar filled with rowdy businessmen fresh from a convention.
Suite
Thanks to my Marriott Bonvoy Titanium elite status, I was upgraded to a suite at check-in. Some hotels use “suite” a little more liberally than I would, that’s not the case at Westin Alexandria Old Town. The suite was large, tastefully decorated and carefully planned out. It was a true suite in every sense of the term. If there was a question as to the value of Titanium status with Marriott Bonvoy, this stay proves that Titanium is highly valuable for travelers lucking for a premium experience at standard prices.
Living Room
The entrance to the suite is at the far end of the living room with a coat closet and guest bathroom for visitors. On the right side of the living room was a large desk and lots of room for seating.
An extended cabinet runs the length of the wall opposite the living room couch. It offers a sink and coffee station but missed the mark without either a mini-fridge, microwave, or even plates and glasses.
Bedroom
Windows surround the bedroom with views of the courthouse and Old Town. A TV is set on top of the dresser; his and her chairs are split by a reading lamp. The decor is clean, subdued, and feels more like being in friend’s elegant home. A bedroom bench sits at the foot of the bed.
Westin’s approach to wellness runs throughout the guest experience. Sleep oil is placed near the bed to help guests rest easy.
Bathroom
The one area of the suite that could be improved is the bathroom. The shower-over-tub design is a miss, especially the body-hugging curtain. It features a rain shower head which is a plus as is the border-lit mirror.
Westin’s wellness initiative extends to the soft robe conveniently hung in the bathroom.
Marriott Bonvoy’s Service and Benefits
Titanium or Ambassador Bonvoy elite members are treated to benefits like free breakfast, lounge/club access, late checkout, and the additional bonus points. Holding one of the Marriott Bonvoy credit cards that provide entry-level status or status acceleration also makes those guests eligible for an upgrade to a suite or more advantageous room, much like the suite I received.
I’ve spoken often throughout the post about Westin’s wellness initiative which of course includes healthy breakfast options. There are classic American breakfast favorites among a number of hearty but tasty menu options for those focused on fitness. I ordered a fruit juice and vegetable smoothie to accompany an egg white omelet served with a salad.
I don’t always go out of my way to be healthy, but the food was delicious and when given an easy option, I made a better choice for myself.
For more information on the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, see this post.
Value
Westin Alexandria Old Town offers the convenience of Northern Virginia (close access to Washington DC) with premium rooms and a focus on health and fitness. The hotel offers room from $180/nt to $220/nt. The average nightly price is appropriate for the area and if you’re fortunate to receive an upgrade, provides an excellent value for money.
For Marriott Bonvoy members, prices start at 30,000/nt for a standard room. This provides a value of 0.66¢/point, much higher than Suites and Lobbies valuation of 0.45¢/point. Given that 30,000 points are worth about $135, Suites & Lobbies recommend Bonvoy members pay with points for their stay. For those considering other Marriott properties in Northern Virginia and Washington DC, there are many options, but few present a greater value for Bonvoy points.
Get points quicker and redeem them here with a Marriott Bonvoy credit card. Here is an article we wrote about – Why The Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card May Be The Best For Travelers.
What do you think? Have you stayed at the Westin Alexandria Old Town? How was your experience?
