Alexandria, VA this weekend
 

My brother and I will be staying one night at the Hotel Lorien this weekend. I have a couple of questions.
1. Is there a safe place to park overnight near the hotel? I would prefer not to pay the hotel charges for overnight parking.
2. Is there a great breakfast spot near the hotel?
3. Can you recommend a good restaurant for dinner?
4. Is there an upscale classic women's clothing shop on King St or nearby? I know about the shopping centers but won't have time for that.

Thank you and happy Independence Day!

topping

Maybe you should mention where the hotel actually is?

cmcfong, I have a couple of suggestions and comments. Hope you and your brother have a great weekend!

1. No, not really. Most parking in that part of the world is metered, 1-2 hours freebie, or governed by residential permit. Rigorously enforced. I'd bite the bullet and pay to park at the hotel.

2. Near the hotel? If traditional diners are your thing, the Table Talk (1600 block of Duke St, one block over from your hotel) has been there forever. Le Madeleine is a chain but kind of a sweet place for bkfast on the east side of King St. Firehook Bakery is good but my recollection is they don't open early. If you're willing to drive less than ten minutes to an adjacent neighborhood (Del Ray) I would definitely recommend Buzz Bakery. Excellent. (www.buzzonslaters.com)

3. A zillion. Can you narrow your likes and budget a bit?

4. Ann Taylor perhaps? Sorry, not much help here.

>>vjpblovesitaly on Jul 2, 09 at 12:08 PM
Maybe you should mention where the hotel actually is?<<

1600 King St. Alexandria. Now you know.

<i>Maybe you should mention where the hotel actually is?</i>

Why must you always have such a scolding tone, vjp? Maybe this tone works in the Lounge, but when people are asking for genuine help, you could be a little more gracious and less scolding.

For the OP, I agree with obxgirl. For Breakfast, you could also try Jackson 20 if you want something more substantial than Firehook/Le Madeliene.

I'm a huge fan of the Majestic for dinner, but check to make sure they are open on the Fourth of July.

Thanks, Mike and obxgirl. I appreciate the helpful responses.

Re:#1 I was afraid of that.
Re:#2 I love Firehook, best cookies ever! Buzz also looks great and I will check out Jackson 20.
Re:#3 About $50 per person without alcohol would be the budget. We tend to like whole foods/slow foods,seafood, Italian, French or Mexican. We are vegetarians but eat fish.
Re:#4 I couldn't remember ever seeing any such shops on previous visits, but hoped there might have been something new.

Thank you for the help!

Agree with the Majestic. Also look at Bastille on N. Royal. I think that's very doable ( and very good) for $50 pp w/o alcohol. Or A La Lucia on Madison. MikeT's point is good about double checking places for the holiday weekend. Have fun, cmc!

The hotel is located on 1600 King Street, two blocks from the King Street Metro Station (according to the hotel website). Rather than scold someone, it is nicer to look it up and respond.

You might get lucky with street parking on weekends, but pay attention to the signs. Personally, having paid a lot to stay in the hotel, I would just bite the bullet and stash the car at the hotel. To get into DC, just use Metro.

I called the Majestic (it looks ideal) to see if they are open the night we are there. Fingers crossed. The Bastille looks great as another option. Great suggestions!
Yep, as much as I hate the idea of $25 parking fees, it looks like the thing to do.
I love the area and look forward to my visit even though it is a short one. Happy Fourth of July and thank you for your help.

Thank you, Lauren, I think you are right.

Have a great trip!