This Waterfront Virginia Town Has a Chic New Hotel With a Rooftop Bar and Stunning Views

Alexandria, Virginia, located just 15 minutes outside of Washington, D.C., is a destination in its own right. The waterfront town, which has also been highlighted as one of the best places to live in Virginia and one of the best cities in the U.S., is a perfect blend of modern conveniences and historic charm. It has a rich history, stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture, and a vibrant Old Town, a nationally designated historic district.

In the past few years, Alexandria’s hospitality scene has grown with a few notable boutique openings. The newest addition is the beautiful Hotel Heron, which opens its doors today.

Housed in the former George Mason Hotel, a Colonial Revival gem at the heart of Old Town, and an adjacent new building, the 134-key property and its design reflect the spirit of this modern city that is also rooted in history. The hotel, developed by Aparium Hotel Group, is dreamed up as a community gathering space and offers several food and beverage concepts, including an elegant restaurant and a stunning rooftop bar with views over the entire city. 

“Hotel Heron embodies the essence of mid-Atlantic design, with a rich color palette that extends from our public spaces to our guest rooms, featuring colonial-style woods and federal blues, greens, and crisp whites,” Philip Blane, the hotel’s general manager, told Travel + Leisure. 

The stylish guest rooms come with king-sized beds, spacious modern bathrooms with walk-in showers, modern locally-made furnishings, and oversized windows.

The hotel’s signature restaurant, KILN, helmed by executive chef Matthew Maienshein, who was previously at JoJo by Jean-Georges, pays homage to Alexandria’s first documented potter, Henry Piercy, and treats patrons to Mid-Atlantic classics with a modern twist, as well as a few Chesapeake Bay-inspired dishes.

One of the most beautiful spaces in the hotel is its intimate cocktail bar/speakeasy, where jewel-toned interiors and antique mirrored details create a chic vibe. However, the rooftop bar, Good Fortune, will generate the most buzz this summer season. (The space will be open until October.) With its plush, comfortable furnishings, greenery, and panoramic views that reach as far as Washington, D.C., and the Potomac River, it is the perfect spot for sundowners next time you visit the area.

“Our vision for the hotel was to craft a welcoming place where both travelers and locals feel truly at home,” Blane said. “We’re passionate about fostering community connections, which is why we’ve designed monthly programming initiatives that include a rooftop concert series, collaborations with local artists and organizations, and festive celebrations throughout the year, including Alexandria’s 275th Birthday on July 13.”

Nightly rates at Hotel Heron start from $239, and you can book your stay on heronalexandria.com.