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Hotel check: Lorien Hotel & Spa

Published: 19/12/2011 - Filed under: Home » Archive » 2011 » December 2011/January 2012 » Tried & Tested » Home » Tried & Tested » Hotels » United States »

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HOW MANY ROOMS? 107 rooms,16 suites, 6 terraced suites 

ROOM HIGHLIGHTS With designer Vincent Wolf’s style, color palette and sophisticated appointments, the Lorien offers the necessities and if needed, the luxuries of business travel.PRICE Internet rates for a November stay during a weekday range from $169 for standard rooms with suites starting at $269. 

CONTACT Lorien Hotel & Spa, 1600 King St., Alexandria, VA, Reservations (877) 9-LORIEN. lorienhotelandspa.com 

VERDICT  The Lorien Hotel & Spa lives up to its myriad awards, delivering comfort and luxury, and the restaurants are exceptional. Plus the Global Business Advantage program offers added VIP status and discounted room rates.

BACKGROUND  The Lorien Hotel & Spa is a relatively newcomer on the Washington hotel scene. Opened in the past three years, the Lorien is not lacking in recognition, from rave traveler reviews to a raft of hotel, spa and dining awards. The Alexandria, VA boutique hotel delivers a business experience that’s restful, rich with amenities and still close to the action.  

WHAT’S IT LIKE?  The six-story property draws you in with a welcoming bellman and valet service, through a brick courtyard into a modern lobby with stacked slate wall, sloping ceilings and large comfortable seating. From the library with books all covered in white, to the warm colors and rich large furniture, to the connected outdoor spaces, the common areas are calming and relaxing.  

WHERE IS IT? As one of the American Planning Association’s Top 10 Streets in America, Alexandria, VA’s vibrant and eclectic King Street is an 18th century seaport with a 21st century vibe. The Lorien is nestled in the “Old Town” neighborhood, just two blocks from mass transit and a short cab ride to various city centers and airports. 

ROOM FACILITIES The Lorien offers a variety of rooms and suites. The standard rooms are spacious, featuring a custom Kimpton Sealy mattress, cotton bathrobe, and luxury Aveda bath products. Flat screen televisions, radio/audio docking stations, as well as a good-sized desk, ample and accessible power outlets and complimentary wired and wireless internet for Intouch members, made my stay productive, to say the least.

One unique service I found went above the run-of-the-mill the room amenities. The bedside menu is more than traditional room service; The Lorien offers a “Dare to Dream” sleep menu with an extensive list of complimentary and for-purchase items like masks, bed wedges, humidifiers, and a variety of pillows, plus a “Dare to Dream” bath menu. 

In addition to Kimpton’s Intouch loyalty program benefits, the Business Advantage VIP customer receives upgrades at check-in on top of their discounted room rate.

As with other Kimpton Hotels experiences, before starting the day, guests can enjoy complimentary gourmet coffee and teas every morning in the lobby. At the end of the day, get a taste of their “Hosted Wine Hour” every evening, 5:00 to 6:00 PM. Among the themed seasonal drinks served up by the Lorien’s mixologists, I found the Blackberry Sangria unexpectedly refreshing.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS Hip meets history in the property’s three unique restaurants led by DC’s 2009 Chef of the Year Robert Wiedmaier. The Brabo offers an award-winning combination of regional ingredients and the Chef’s Belgian influence. The foie gras and Grilled Eco Friendly Pork Chop were exceptional amalgams of flavors. If you don’t see it on the menu – ask. Don’t be surprised at the creativity and wiliness of the staff to delight the guest.

Less pricey but equally chic, The Brabo Tasting Room’s menu boasts complex and flavorful dishes. From a choice of wood fired tarts, soups, and sandwiches, I opted for one of the signature mussel dishes. Rich flavor packed with a punch of chorizo complimented a very large portion of mussels.

For travelers on the run, fast meets fresh in the farm-to-table take-out menu of the Butchers Block, featuring house-made specialty sandwiches and Charcuterie platters.

MEETING And LEISURE FACILITIES Downstairs, 3000 square feet of flexible meeting space is bathed in natural light and opens directly onto outdoor venues. Or move the meeting upstairs where there’s an additional 4,000 square feet of suite space that also includes indoor and outdoor areas. Hosts 100 guests for sit down functions or 125 for receptions. 

If a spa appointment is not for you, take advantage of new fitness equipment and access to the spa locker rooms and steam room. The facility includes stair steppers, free weights, yoga mats and balance balls.   

By Ross Atkinson

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