The Hotel Bentley is the most historic hotel in Alexandria, and honestly, that alone makes it worth…read morestaying here at least once.
The lobby is beautiful. Old-world charm, grand staircase, classic architecture, and the kind of place that actually feels like it has a story. The hotel is old, allegedly haunted, and completely unique.
I loved most of our stay.
The good? Probably the best hotel in Alexandria. Our view of the river was great, the service was friendly, and there is something cool about staying in a place that feels nothing like a generic chain hotel. You can grab food in the Bentley Room or drinks in the Mirror Room without ever leaving the building.
The not so good?
The walls are THIN.
Our neighbors, or possibly a ghost, seemed to be up all day and night yelling about something. I resisted the urge to beat on the wall or knock on their door, but seriously, if you are staying in a hotel, have some concern for the people around you, you selfish prick. I want to sleep in on Saturday and Sunday, not listen to whatever nonsense you have going on next door.
The hallways are also ridiculously long and have been described as very The Shining-like.
Accurate.
But who cares? Get your steps in. I did not see any ghosts, twins, elevators full of blood, or anything else concerning.
The rooms definitely show the age of the building in a few ways. The bathroom was small, and the anti-theft hangers make steaming a suit way more difficult than it needs to be. There is also no valet parking, so you are parking on the street or using the self-park lot in the back.
None of that would stop me from staying here again.
The Bentley has character, history, a beautiful lobby, good food and drinks downstairs, and a feel you are not going to get anywhere else in Alexandria.
Just bring earplugs.
And if you hear yelling at 2 a.m., maybe it is the neighbors.
Maybe it is the ghost.
Either way, I am trying to sleep.
