Lorien Hotel & Spa
Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
Having long worked with many of the finest properties in the world, I have developed an extreme appreciation for “destination resorts”…superb places where you arrive on property and never have to leave, as they offer almost anything your heart desires in one place. After my visit to the new Lorien Hotel & Spa, I have coined a new phrase, “downtown destination hotel”. This oasis in the heart of Old Town has so much to offer its guests that they also could simply take your keys and most everything you would want would be on site, with the added bonus of all the wonderful features Old Town offers just steps away. A splendid boutique hotel, world class restaurant, tasting room, a delightful market and a magnificent spa all located in one complex in the 1600 block of King Street. This place is really cool!
Unlike many easy to spot “box” hotels you are apt to find in any town, The Lorien has perhaps the most inconspicuous entrance that one could drive past without even knowing it is there…that is a good thing, and that is precisely what I did. There is not a grand drive with a Porte cochere, but simply a valet stand, manned by 2-3 professionals and a brick walkway leading between two venerable buildings (one housing their exquisite restaurant, and the other, The Tasting Room and Market) fronting King into a quiet courtyard, and thus the entrance to the hotel. Along the way, quaint, café tables are situated along the exterior wall of the restaurant for dining al fresco.
As you enter the sleek lobby, it is easy to know you are in a Kimpton Hotel, the avant garde boutique hotel company whose properties always an “edgy” feel to them. While many of the public areas including the lobby are somewhat minimalist, their lines are so clean and crisp. The idea of carrying the brick flooring into the lobby makes for a seamless transition…and one that is quite enjoyable. The concept of utilizing cool, sharp lines with lots of hues of grays and other soothing colors is played out through the entire hotel, including their 107 tastefully designed rooms and suites. Even while being somewhat of a traditionalist, I was very pleased with my accommodation there, as it was quite spacious, very comfortable, views of the courtyard and out into Old Town and a delightful spa-like bath, complete with a claw-foot soaking tub. With guests traveling with less in the line of toiletries these days, finally, high-quality bath supplies by the likes of L’Occitane spa are not only welcome, but much in demand. Also, you will easily find the bedding and linens to be super luxurious to ensure a splendid night’s sleep.
The Lorien Spa is located in the hotel proper, making it quite easy to slip on your thick, Turkish robe and head down the elevator for some TLC. The Spa menu of services includes massages, facials, body treatments, and manicure and pedicure treatments among a host of others. Under their “Signature Services” include the mysteriously luxurious “Rejuvenating Caviar Dream Crème Facial” an 80 minute treatment of seemingly pure decadence. The Spa offers five treatment rooms that are very serenely appointed, and as this is the only true spa in Old Town, it does remain fairly busy. I would think a certificate to the Lorien Spa would be the ideal peace offering (perhaps for a crystal stone massage!) when one (such as myself) lands in the proverbial dog house.
One of the neatest features of the hotel is The Butcher’s Block, A Market by RW (Chef Robert Wiedmaier) where one can peruse a carefully selected number of wines, artisan cheeses, lamb tenderloin, a variety of sausages, veal burgers and even a menagerie of non-traditional items such as gourmet salts and cans of truffle juice. This storefront operation also provides highly creative, outstanding made-to-order sandwiches on buttery baguettes. A nice selection of desserts is also available to satisfy that overwhelming sugar craving.
Speaking of Robert Wiedmaier, this highly creative chef that has founded such notable Washington eateries as Marcel’s and Brasserie Beck has not one…but two Belgian inspired cuisine establishments at the Lorien, Brabo by Robert Wiedmaier and the more casual Brabo Tasting Room. Restaurant Brabo, a 105 seat venue features contemporary décor, highlighted by a spectacular eight-seat copper bar and focuses on ingredients and products from eco-friendly Virginia farms. The menu features delectables such as Carpaccio of Scottish Smoked Salmon with shaved Cucumber, Red Onion and Mango and North American Lobster Ravioli with English Pea Tendrils and Lobster Reduction for starters, Pipe Dreams Farms Mixed Greens in a Lemon Vinaigrette and Parma Ham Wrapped Roulade of Caesar Salads, Seared Chesapeake Rockfish with Potato Gnocchi, Baby Artichokes and Wild Mushrooms, Braised Pork Shank with Baby Bok Choy, Fingerling Potatoes and Chili Sauce and Grilled Lamb Tenderloins in a White Bean Puree, Ratatouille, and Cumin Madeira Sauce for entrees and a number of mouth-watering sides to accompany all these tasty treats.
Completing the triad of RW’s food and beverage establishments is Brabo Tasting Room, just across the brick path, fully fronting King Street, adjacent to the Butcher’s Block. This smaller, intimate room displays an 11 seat zinc bar where you may experience 3 and 5 ounce tastings of a superb selection of wines and exotic beers of Belgium and beyond. Under the direction of Chef Wiedmaier and Chef du Cuisine, Chris Watson, you may opt for Robert’s Signature Mussels, Five Onion Soup, salads, sandwiches and the house favorite, Wood Fired Tarts such as Duck Confit with Roasted Garlic and Grilled Radicchio or a favorite or mine…Muscles with Bacon, Caramelized Onions and Béchamel Sauce…certainly not your run-of-the-mill items.
The hallmark of The Lorien Hotel is its exemplary levels of service, something they work hard to perfect…and pull off with grace. One block in Old Town, many options to savor.
For further information on The Lorien Hotel and the delightful Robert Wiedmaier options there, please peruse:
www.lorienhotelandspa.com
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