Old Town or Georgetown? Hotel/Restaurant/Shopping

[Anonymous]

Next weekend, DH and I plan to stay in either Georgetown or Old Town for my 40th birthday. We will be there just one night (we live in Reston, short drive, lol). We are looking for a 1) hotel recommendation walkable to 2) restaurant recommendation 3) which will have best walkable shopping options (looking for casual jewelry for me) open on a Saturday night. (worry smaller boutiques might be closed Saturday evening). Since we'll be staying overnight, parking not as big a concern (assuming hotel will have parking), we plan to walk once we check in. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

We did a night away at Hotel Lorien in Old Town and liked it. If you do a Kimpton Hotel sign up for their rewards program-it gets you $10 from the minibar with every stay.

Bravo is next door if you want a fancy dinner. If you want something more laid back, I like Virtue down towards the river.

Don't know Georgetown as well.

[Anonymous]

Brabo-not bravo!

[Anonymous]

Definitely one of the Kimpton hotels! There are a couple of them in Old Town Alexandria. And yes, sign up for the reward program - it's free and easy. Awesome hotels with great service and cool, less cookie cutter decor.

I would do Old Town. The boutique-y shops *might* close early on a Saturday, but I think for an upcoming holiday, you have a better chance of having more shopping options than Georgetown. There are lots of places along King Street (maybe closer to the Waterfront), and some of the side streets.

There's a free trolly that runs up and down King Street - it's hop on/off every 20 minutes or so. It's not hard to walk the entirely, from the Masonic Temple to the waterfront, but maybe walk King St for shopping, and take the trolly back. There are great Kimpton hotels on both ends of King Street, and in the middle. I think they bought out Morrison House?

[Anonymous]

Link to Kimpton Hotels in Old Town. I swear I don't work for them or have any connection to them. But I stayed in one of their chains about a year ago, and am now a very loyal fan - much better stay than others in a similar hotel grade.

http://www.kimptonhotels.com/hotels/hotels-alexandria.aspx

[Anonymous]

Restaurant Eve is just off King St on Pitt near the Monaco and is highly recommended.

[Anonymous]

If you stay in Old Town, when you leave on your last day you could take a trip across the Wilson bridge and check out the new outlets at National Harbor if you really want to do some shopping.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the tips. We were all set to stay at the Hotel Monaco in Old Town tonight. Sadly DS has a wicked stomach virus and we will have to do another time Not the way I planned to spend my birthday!