HotelChatter - Stories about Lorien Hotel and Spa

Washington: The Five Best Hotels Just Outside of Washington, D.C.

KatieK — 2009-11-13T16:00:19-05:00

<![CDATA[In many cities, a suburban stay equals hours on the train each morning and night. But Washington D.C. is small enough that its closest suburbs are often destinations in their own rights from Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, to downtown Bethesda, Maryland. Throw in D.C.s crime-ridden rap, combined with the suburbs-serving Metro, and suddenly it makes sense why so many D.C. tourists actually spend the night in a neighboring city (where, ahem, the residents have the right to vote). Of course, this is hardly a secret; so if youre looking to the suburbs for a no-frills deal, stick to family-friendly classics. Otherwise, here are our picks for five convenient suburban DC hotels that offer more than just a free (stale)

Alexandria: The Lorien Hotel Wants Us To Give Up Facebook and Twitter

amandak — 2009-09-17T09:08:54-05:00

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.

Alexandria : Lorien Presents 'The Weekender,' Bike and Picnic Included

KatieK — 2009-06-03T12:25:41-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/17697/lorien.jpg" class="top"> Theres something altogether dreamy about a weekend getaway that includes bicycling, picnicking, and sightseeing in historic Virginia. So it only makes sense that Kimptons new <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Lorien+Hotel+and+Spa/local/1394">Lorien Hotel and Spa</a> in Alexandria, Virginia, would be the purveyor of such an idyllic scenario. After all, lest you forget, the Lorien is dedicated to the "<a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/2/12/1093/79207/hotels/The_Lorien_Hotel_Will_Start_Making_Dreams_Come_True_Today">story of dreams</a>. The hotels <a href="http://www.lorienhotelandspa.com/alexandria-hotel-packages/index.html#alexandria-weekender">Weekender Package</a> includes use of two of the hotels 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 <a href="http://www.potomacriverboatco.com/">Potomac Riverboat Company</a>, and late 2 p.m. check-out. Available through Aug. 31, rates start at a totally reasonable $398

Get Late Check-Outs Without the Haggling at Kimpton Hotels

juliana — 2009-04-30T17:01:53-05:00

It's like Kimpton Hotels is peering into our lives lately or maybe they've just been reading our constantly updated Twitter feed. Either way, they seem to know exactly what we we're into these days.

First, they started offering us the choice of continental breakfast or cocktails for only a $1. Now, in honor of something called "Better Sleep Month," they are giving guests who check-out on Sundays a late check-out of 2pm automatically. No hagggling, hassling, begging, pleading or crying necessary.

Alexandria : Lorien Staffers Roll Out Red Carpets and Fix Flat Tires

KatieK — 2009-03-06T13:46:15-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/17697/lorien.jpg" class="top"> We have to hand it to <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Kimpton%20Hotels">Kimpton</a> for their newest hotel. Since opening Feb. 12, the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Lorien+Hotel+and+Spa/local/1394">Lorien Hotel & Spa</a> in Alexandria, Virginia, has managed first of all to <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/2/23/92852/6087/hotels/Inside_the_Lorien_Hotel_and_Spa_s_Standard_Rooms">impress us</a> (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 <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/TripAdvisor">TripAdvisor</a>. Except, well, hmm. Seven reviewers, <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g30226-d1230044-r25048830-Lorien_Hotel_Spa_a_Kimpton_Hotel-Alexandria_Virginia.html">seven perfect ratings</a>. If youre like us, overly glowing reviews strike you as a little suspect especially for a brand-new hotel. But these reviews just dont sound particularly phony. On the contrary, they read like the words of genuinely