Washington, D.C. gets all the attention (and the tourist crowds), but savvy travelers know the best place to stay is actually just across the Potomac. Old Town Alexandria is one of the East Coast’s most charming neighborhoods, with a walkable, waterfront enclave of brick rowhouses, cobblestone streets, and tons of independent shops and restaurants. This well-kept local secret has easy access to all of D.C.’s major attractions without any of the tourist-corridor energy.
Hotel Heron fits right into that historic streetscape. Set in a landmark 1926 building originally constructed as the George Mason Hotel, it delivers a comfortable level of luxury while feeling like a natural part of the neighborhood. The heron theme carries through the whole property, from bird facts scattered around the hotel to a birdwatching book on the desk in your room. (Did you know a group of herons is called a siege?)
Location
The hotel has the best location in Old Town, just next to King Street, Old Town’s lively main street, which runs all the way down to the waterfront and is lined with independent shops, restaurants, and bars. Part of King Street is pedestrianized, which, along with cobblestone sections, gives it a decidedly European feel.
It’s a short walk to the ferry to National Harbor, the Torpedo Factory (a local icon that’s now an artists’ collaborative), and tons of eateries. The Alexandria waterfront is less than a 10-minute stroll away, and for history buffs, the Carlyle House and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary are both nearby.
A free Old Town trolley stops a block away from the hotel, and loops through the neighborhood, making it easy to get around without a car. It also connects to the Metro so you can easily explore D.C. and beyond.
Visiting D.C.? Check out our Perfect Washington, D.C. Three-Day Itinerary.
Rooms
The hotel’s 134 rooms are all a generous size, starting at 280 sq. ft. for a King Guest Room and ranging to 340 sq. ft. for a Terrace King. All rooms have comfortable beds topped with 300 thread count sheets, a desk and chair for remote work, and a minibar. Rooms are outfitted in a neutral palette of calming light colors, and the bird motif carries through in printed wallpaper on the closet doors and a birdwatching book on the desk.
The hotel is only a few years old, and the rooms look and feel new, with modern touches like bedside charging stations. Robes and slippers are provided, and bathrooms are stocked with Grown Alchemist amenities.
Dining
Hotel Heron has three unique food and beverage outlets, so you don’t have to venture far for good meals.
KILN is the ground-floor signature restaurant, serving Mid-Atlantic cuisine cooked over a wood-fired open hearth. Inspired by Alexandria’s first documented potter, Henry Piercy (whose kiln once stood just blocks from the hotel), the space is bright and airy during the day and romantic at night, when the lights dim and the focus shifts to the open kitchen.
For cocktails, check out Francis Hall, the hotel’s speakeasy, which is hidden behind a curtain down the hallway.
In summer months, take the elevator up six floors to Good Fortune, the rooftop bar with sweeping views of the Potomac, National Harbor, and the Washington Monument. The frozen drinks are a hit on a humid summer evening, and a live DJ amps up the crowd on certain nights.
Come back on a weekend morning, and you’ll find a quieter vibe, as yoga classes are offered with that same view.
Amenities
The fitness center is spacious, open 24/7, and well-stocked with free weights, treadmills, and a Peloton bike. Valet parking runs $45; dogs are welcome for $75. A daily destination charge of $25 is added to your rate, but it includes a $25 food and beverage credit usable across all hotel restaurants and bars, free fast WiFi, and daily lobby refreshments including coffee from local roaster Swings.
