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A Director of Pet Relations Gets Put to 'Work' On Halloween

Where: 480 King Street [map], Alexandria , VA, United States, 22314

More Hotel Halloween Doggies! What more do you want on this Friday afternoon before Halloween? These awesome photos come to us from the Hotel Monaco Alexandria, which held its Howl-o-ween Costume Contest on Thursday. And just to show anyone worried about puppy labor laws that canine concierges do have a chance to clock off and get loose, here is the hotel’s Director of Pet Relations, bichon frise Charlie getting into the Halloween spirit. He’s dressed as chef Derek Simcik from the hotel’s restaurant Jackson 20—right down to the tattoos.

Then there was Scooby, decked out in Oktoberfest lederhosen, who took home the Top Dog award of the evening. (Kudos for hitting two October festive occasions in one, Scoobs!)

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The Lorien Hotel Wants Us To Give Up Facebook and Twitter

Where: 1600 King St [map], Alexandria, VA, United States, 22314-2719

We have definitely admired Kimpton's new Lorien Hotel and Spa since it opened up earlier this year. But their new special package is one we're finding a little bit confronting – although we suspect it's our fault, not the hotel's.

The thing is, the Lorien Hotel and Spa wants us to relax, and is worried that our addiction to social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook (we do mention them occasionally) might be bordering on a social dysfunction (they even found therapists who agree). So they are offering a Social Media Detox Program for the rest of this year.

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A Worthwhile Hotel Business Center Does Exist in 2009

Where: 481 King Street [map], Alexandria, VA, United States, 22314

Earlier this month we found ourselves on King St. in Alexandria, Virginia and decided to stay the night at the Hotel Monaco Alexandria . Not only did this Hotel Monaco offer a great location and the usual Kimpton chic rooms but staffers also saw to it that our vehicle, which at the time had a U-Haul attached to it, was given premiere parking on the street right outside the hotel. Nice touch.

Want more? There was a community Wii where some guests were engaging in a digital boxing match, a tasty restaurant attached to the lobby, and an actually useful business center.

Hold up. A useful business center in 2009? No such thing right? That is what we thought, however, this small biz center had everything you might need. A web-connected Mac which was running both Windows and OSX and an ATM machine. Take a look at our video to see what we're talking about.

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Lorien Presents 'The Weekender,' Bike and Picnic Included

Where: 1600 King St, [map], Alexandria , VA, United States, 22314-2719

There’s something altogether dreamy about a weekend getaway that includes bicycling, picnicking, and sightseeing in historic Virginia. So it only makes sense that Kimpton’s new Lorien Hotel and Spa in Alexandria, Virginia, would be the purveyor of such an idyllic scenario. After all, lest you forget, the Lorien is dedicated to the "story of dreams.”

The hotel’s “Weekender Package” includes use of two of the hotel’s “retro-chic” bikes, a picnic lunch for two from the adjacent Butchers Block, a custom-designed biking map, tickets to the Mount Vernon estate, two river cruise tickets with the Potomac Riverboat Company, and late 2 p.m. check-out. Available through Aug. 31, rates start at a totally reasonable $398 for two nights (yes, that’s just $199 per night). You can also add $30 per night to accommodate a family of four.

Perched near the metro at the edge of Old Town Alexandria, the Lorien is convenient if you need to offset all that rural goodness with an urban fix, just a quick jaunt into D.C. But, really, why sully a perfectly quaint weekend with city frenzy?

Book the package using rate code PFUN.

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Lorien Staffers Roll Out Red Carpets and Fix Flat Tires

Where: 1600 King St. [map], Alexandria , VA, United States, 22314-2719

We have to hand it to Kimpton for their newest hotel. Since opening Feb. 12, the Lorien Hotel & Spa in Alexandria, Virginia, has managed — first of all — to impress us (no easy feat). And now that three weeks have passed, we thought it high time to dig deep into the first take on the guest experience in the often ugly, no-holds-barred world of TripAdvisor.

Except, well, hmm. Seven reviewers, seven perfect ratings. If you’re like us, overly glowing reviews strike you as a little suspect — especially for a brand-new hotel. But these reviews just don’t sound particularly phony. On the contrary, they read like the words of genuinely happy customers. And get this: The hotel’s GM actually responded to five of the reviews, even including his phone number and email address so guests can get in touch if/when they return. Wowza.

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Inside the Lorien Hotel and Spa's Standard Rooms

Where: 1600 King St. [map], Alexandria , VA, United States, 22314

On Friday we unveiled a few photos of Kimpton’s newest hotel, the Lorien Hotel and Spa in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. All in all, we’re impressed by its, yes, dreamy details, from sweet clawfoot tubs to photography shot by the hotel’s iconic designer, Vincente Wolf. Today, enjoy this video of the hotel's standard guest rooms.

A few things we learned about the place on our tour: Instead of the usual Kimpton happy hour, the Lorien is working out the kinks for an alternative, since the Commonwealth of Virginia apparently prohibits giving booze away for free. Rest assured, the Lorien will be having some sort of convivial social hour, whether it involves drink coupons for use at the tasting room next door or s’mores around the courtyard’s fire pit.

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Kimpton's Newest Hotel, The Lorien Hotel and Spa

Where: 1600 King St. [map], Alexandria , VA, United States, 22314-2719

Yesterday we hopped down to Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, to tour the just-opened Lorien Hotel and Spa. We’ll have full coverage Monday, but for now, here are a few photos and our initial reactions of the Kimpton space.

The Lorien radiates a sleek, contemporary, moneyed feel that’s right on target in Alexandria. Like, you wouldn’t feel weird about coming back here after an afternoon strolling through Old Town’s antiques shops and bakeries, but you’re not going to drown in schmaltz either. The palette is all about soft grays, robin’s egg blues, and whites; old brick meets new slate.

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The Lorien Hotel Will Start Making Dreams Come True Today

Where: 1600 King St [map], Alexandria , VA, United States, 22314-2719

Proof that the recession hasn’t yet hijacked the hotel industry: Kimpton’s newest property, the Lorien Hotel and Spa in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, opens today — and right on schedule, we might add.

Located just outside Washington, D.C., the $50-million Lorien is Kimpton’s 11th outpost in the area and has been coronated the “crown jewel.” The 107-room boutique hotel is marketed to “celebrate the story of dreams.”

For starters, that includes a Grand Opening package through June 30th, boasting 20 percent off room rates, guaranteed room upgrades, $20 hotel credit for each night’s stay (to be applied towards spa treatments, dining, or retail at the on-site gourmet food shop), and a welcome amenity from Chef Robert Wiedmaier. Even better? According to the Lorien’s website, rates are currently starting at $179.

So that’s three new hotels to open their doors today (with Viceroy Miami and Ace Hotel Palm Springs). A little ballsy, to be sure, but we wish all three spots the best of luck.

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Skip Inauguration and Hit Lorien Outside D.C. in February

Where: 1600 King St [map], Alexandria, VA, United States, 22314

We've been anticipating the opening of Kimpton's Lorien Hotel & Spa in Old Town Alexandria, VA (right outside of D.C.) for a while now, and it looks like the dreamy-looking "crown jewel" of the D.C. area is set to open up on February 12th (long after the smoke has cleared from all the inauguration chaos).

To celebrate, the 107-room Lorien will feature Old Town Alexandria's first full-service spa, as well as a classic-meets-modern theme in all the rooms (which are decorated in robin's egg blue, gray, and white). The place is supposed to "celebrate the story of dreams" — which, in practice, means goodies like concierges who help dreams come true, and a "Dream Service Menu" packed with comfort foods plus an array of bath, aromatherapy, and pillow options to be brought to your room.

To help keep this dream within reach, the Lorien is offering a Grand Opening discount package until June 30th, which includes:

· 20 percent off the best available rate
· Guaranteed room upgrade
· $20 hotel credit for each night’s stay
· Welcome in-room arrival amenity from celebrated Chef Robert Wiedmaier

You can apply that $20 credit toward spa treatments, room service, dining at one of Chef Wiedmaier’s restaurants (BRABO by Robert Wiedmaier and BRABO Tasting Room) or toward gourmet items at The Butcher's Block (a Market by RW).

Standard room rates start at $279.00, and the Grand Opening package can be booked at Kimpton.com using rate code EMM.

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The "Dreamy" Lorien Hotel From Kimpton is Opening in February

Where: 1600 King Street [map], Alexandria , VA, United States, 22314

We’ve heard whispers about the new Kimpton hotel coming soon to the Washington, D.C., area, but we’ve now received official word (and an opening date!): the $50-million Lorien Hotel & Spa is set to open Feb. 12, 2009, in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.

Marketed as Kimpton’s “crown jewel” in the Washington metro area, the 107-room hotel will reportedly “celebrate the story of dreams.” That means perks like a 24-hour “dream” button on guestroom phones, which goes straight to the concierge who can help coordinate the guest’s every happiness, apparently. Plus, a “Dream Service Menu” features comfort foods as well as bath, aromatherapy, and pillow options available via room service.

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