Best Western Plus Alexandria / Fort Belvoir

Breakfast downstairs was surprisingly good for a free continental spread, with tasty eggs, plenty of juice choices, and pancake and waffle machines. The hotel was reasonably priced and about seven minutes from Mt Vernon, where we were going for wine tasting. The rooms look recently renovated, though the cracks in the shower pan and pop tiles in the bathroom are an odd choice. We stopped for Saturday night and would honestly come back.

For the price, this is the best place I’ve found. There’s a huge cafeteria with hot and cold breakfast options, padded booths, and local news on the TV while you eat. The building is attractive and clean, and there’s even a BBQ courtyard out back. It’s in a shopping area, with McDonald's next door, Art Massage beside it, and lots of restaurants nearby. Bus stops for Franconia-Springfield and Huntington metro stations are right out front, and parking is free. When I return, I might rent a car.

The staff are some of the nicest, most helpful people, and the rooms are pretty good. Still, this was my second stay, in a different room on another floor, and the same problem came back: oppressive humidity and a smell so strong it nearly burns your nose. I held back the first time, even though the toilet kept running, and decided to give it another try. The odor and humidity were just as bad.

The shower door only swings one way and leaves a small gap, so it’s best to hang up your towel. Stacey was the first person to ask what my service dog does after I mentioned him. He didn’t think PTSD was a real diagnosis and considered him an emotional support animal, which is fair given how people can be. A lot of places treat him that way at first, until they see he knows left from right, stays right next to me off leash unless he needs to potty, and actually performs a service. I have flashbacks and suicidal nightmares, and he grounds me. Lord Jesus has helped tremendously with those by giving me a Jesus like service dog that I trained myself. Great rooms and service!