The Westin Alexandria Old Town

I’ve stayed at this property twice now and plan to return. The employees I met were pleasant, the rooms have been clean and comfortable, and the on-site restaurant is quite good. It’s a short walk to two Metro stations and plenty of other places to eat.

The room was nice and very clean, and the staff were nice, though not especially friendly. There are plenty of dining options, but the burgers I ordered through room service weren’t good and weren’t cooked the way I’d requested. I didn’t rent a car, so I can’t comment on valet. The noise was the worst part. I heard doors slamming all day and night, as well as the people next door and their dog.

The website says The Westin is pet friendly, but when I called, an agent told me this location only accepts dogs. I’ve stayed at other Westin hotels with my cat, so the answer caught me off guard. Someone traveling with a cat or another pet could easily assume they’re welcome and then be turned away. The listing should clearly say dog friendly if dogs are the only pets allowed, so people can decide before booking.

I stayed for more than a month, spending thousands, including over $700 for one night, and didn’t ask staff for favors. Still, packages I left at the desk were never returned or acknowledged, I wasn’t offered a water bottle at check-in, and I got no breakfast vouchers or credit. As an Ambassador elite guest, I was entitled to points or a $25 daily breakfast credit because there was no lounge. I saw other guests eating breakfast every day, while I paid out of pocket. They remembered the pet fee for my dog, though, and charged it without fail. It felt like my loyalty meant nothing. The room move was the worst of it. I’d stayed in the same room for weeks, and the hotel had known for a month about an incoming block booking. Yet after 9 p.m. the night before, I was told to pack five weeks of belongings and move, with less than 24 hours’ notice, even though plenty of rooms seemed available. At 5:30 a.m., the night associate said not to pack and that someone would call at 10. Later, the manager called me a liar when I mentioned this. I wondered whether Marriott records calls, but they didn’t check. When I asked why I’d only been told at 9 p.m., the manager had no answer. She spoke condescendingly, ended the call in under two minutes, and threatened “removal” instead of apologizing or offering any goodwill. Her ego seemed to matter more than guest loyalty or revenue. The packages and benefits were one thing, but the way management handled the room move made the whole stay feel careless. I’ve never seen a hotel so eager to drive away a long-term guest. I won’t return, and anyone expecting their benefits or basic respect should think carefully. Different management could have prevented all of this.