An older hotel, the Holiday Inn Alexandria is conveniently located near the Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station. Having lived in Alexandria for 9 years, I can tell you that being close to the metro is key to having a successful visit. The hotel itself is adequate, with an indoor pool for the kids on those rainy Washington days. Additionally, there is a movie theater across the street as well as a TGI Fridays and some other eating establishments. The rooms are clean and comfortable, but feel a bit worn and in need of an update. They do provide a small fridge and microwave as well as free wireless internet. Given the price range (upwards of $150 during the summer season), I would consider the Hampton in Old Town which is newer, only two blocks from the metro and is closer to a wider variety of local eateries.

We just got back from our visit to Washington DC and we stayed at this hotel. Since we had booked it through priceline, we weren't sure what to expect. We were given a very nice room on the 9th floor that was quiet and non-smoking as I had requested. The front desk staff was about the nicest we've ever encountered - very helpful answering questions and writing down directions or looking up phone numbers for us. We had free internet access in our room and had no problem using it. The cable TV selection is very limited and the pay per view movie selection is poor - nothing we cared to see. So we successfully downloaded a movie over the internet from Netflix and watched it on our computer screen. I loved that we had a refrigerator and microwave in our room where we were able to store leftovers from our dinner in Alexandria and heat it up the next night.

Since we are a family with three children, this was a nice hotel for us as it is kid friendly. All three of our kids ate free at the breakfast buffet each morning, so our family of five all had a hot breakfast for $15. The hot food was mediocre, but there was also cold cereal, danish and a selection of whole fruit and juices. The pool was on the cold side, so I didn't swim, but the kids did one night. The hotel is near a metro station, but we ended up driving to Arlington and parking there to catch a hop on / hop off tour bus. We visited Mount Vernon which is less than 10 miles from the hotel so it is convenient for that.

This place is absolutely not worth the money. We are a combo of business/pleasure travellers, and the only thing going for the hotel is that it is 2 blocks from a Metro station and parking is free. It is at least 45 minutes to the Smithsonian or downtown, but unlike most of the places in suburban DC area you need a bus to the train station. Hotel problems: 1) When we saw that the room was clearly a 1-person room (3 pillows rather than 4, and a very narrow bed), I called to ask for a 2-person room, and offered to show our printed online reservation, but there were no rooms for 2 people available. Although my companion is a rewards member at the gold level, they did not warn us about this at check-in. 2)Plumbing is a major issue (shower hot water handle was stripped so I could not turn it off before the tub overflowed, though I admit they quickly got us a new room and helped transport our stuff); 3)Internet access (standard in most places) is a sole laptop in the lobby, and costs $1/minute or part thereof; 4) free breakfast in the restaurant (not in the lobby as in most places, where you can come and go as you please) requires here a dated ticket and is valid ONLY to the PERSON PAYING the BILL This was confirmed at checkout, we let them know that we feel this is preposterous. That is, if you want to eat with your partner, you have to pay, contrary to what we were told at check-in--and this is standard fare at best. I had to register as a rewards member to get a ticket from the front desk! **This hotel is petty by cutting corners in the wrong places. My companion, who is not the pickiest, will not stay here again (we tried but could not get the Marriotts as they were sold out 2 weeks in advance. ***Area notes: The hotel area is strictly government buildings and not walker-friendly, but a mile away is lively Old Town Alexandria, accessible by local bus, or lot parking at $2/hour (at night, do not know what it costs during the day.) Old Town is splendid to walk around, with good antiques shops, but these close between 4-6pm, depending on foot traffic.

I stay at this hotel every time I travel to the DC area. The Metro (subway) is right next to it. The staff is wonderful, the rooms have aways been clean, it is not fancy but for the area and the fact that all we do is sleep there it is wonderfull. Parking is free which is also a plus. There is a movie theater across the street also Starbucks, Ruby Tuesday's and some other place to eat.. If you book with the Entertainment Book card it runs about 55.00 a night.
It is in a very safe area and I have stayed there for the last 6 years. It is also easy to get to.