Taking up half a city block on the waterfront of the Potomac, just two blocks off the main strip of King Street, sits Old Town Alexandria’s first waterfront hotel, Hotel Indigo. A boutique hotel fashioned in today’s modern minimalist design with a nod to its seaport past—during the excavation, a 300-year-old ship was found and is now being studied by archaeologists with hopes to display it later—the hotel is just one of many developments that are changing the way the waterfront is utilized in the historic city.
In 2012 the City of Alexandria approved a 20- to 30-year major redevelopment plan of the waterfront that includes many projects, from public spaces and improving existing parks to revitalized and new construction along the Potomac. Hotel Indigo sits on Union Street between the in-progress construction of the Old Dominion Boat Club and a community of luxury townhomes by EYA.
Hotel Indigo, which opened in May, houses 120 rooms in five stories, and as its hallmark, the global boutique brand designs each hotel with murals inspired by the surrounding neighborhood and its history. The foyer of the hotel features textured cement tiles, exposed red brick and beams, a front desk fashioned in the likeness of a ship’s hull and a commissioned compass rose chandelier and maritime map art installation. Carpets in the halls have a wave design that mirrors the rippling waters and lead to residential-inspired rooms, each with a custom mural wall giving nod to the space’s maritime past and outfitted with custom Artco furniture—king or queen beds, side tables, a desk, a lounge chair with side table and an entryway table. A sliding barn door leads to the spa-inspired bath with damask wallpaper, a large vanity topped with complimentary Aveda products and a walk-in shower with a penny-tiled floor and subway-tiled walls.
How Locals Can Take Advantage
Hummingbird by Cathal Armstrong
The 120-seat restaurant serving modern and regional food with seasonal dishes.
Indoor gallery walk
Rotating exhibits from Torpedo Factory and The Art League of Alexandria artists.
Grab-and-Go Market
Locally sourced fare such as cookies from Together We Bake, baked goods from Society Fair, confections from Blüprint Chocolates and beer from Port City Brewing Company.
Book signings
The hotel library space will host literary events like book signings throughout the year that are open to the public.
Courtyard lounging and imbibing
The 5,000-square-foot courtyard area, with fire pits, food and drink service and a commissioned sculpture, Potomac Harvest by Chris Erney, is accessible from Union Street and is open for all to enjoy, and gives access to Point Lumley Park.
