THE HOTEL BENTLEY

A super adventure back to the past

This historic and well-preserved hotel is nesled in the heart of downtown Alexandria near the waterfront. The Hotel Bentley offers a chance to glance in the past alongside the comforts of modern life. Come expecting to stay in a historic hotel and you will be pleased. They have sections in the hotel that are almost like mini-museums. It's beautiful for events or photo shoots, but you must make arrangements prior, even for a simple photo shoot in the lobby.
If desired, there is a large stretch limousine available for rent with silvery-curled kind driver whose gentlemanly Lousiana speech is mingled with a hint of a sweet southern twang from his distant past.
With historic preservation, there are always challenges to meeting the expectations of modern life. The rooms do not have all of the trappings of more modern hotel rooms like microwaves, but they have what is important: comfortable beds and pillows for a good night's sleep, clean bathrooms and little extra touches of class. The building has been through renovations, but it is still old and obvious. That is why if you come expecting historic, you won't be disappointed. It is clear where on occasion, holes have been cut into walls or filled for new pipes or regulations, where ADA accommodations have been retro-fitted, etc. to the best that they are able. The lobby is lovely with a grand marble staircase, a dome, frescos and crystal chandeliers. While the rooms are dark and old-fashioned they are comfortable . It is in the heart of historic downtown Alexandria surrounded by quaint walkable shops and where, prior to services, church bells ring out with a call to worshippers.
Overall, this hotel was a nice stay.

Beautiful views. Clean, pretty, mostly updated rooms. No funky or old odors. Immaculate bathroom.
Large TV, single cup coffee maker, minifridge.
Bring wall chargers for phones, tablets, etc. There are no USB outlets.
Art in rooms is beautiful, too. Check out all the Lobby-turned-museum.

Nice place to sleep

We booked a double queen room. The sofa was broken and had an old sock and used bandaid in the cushions. The staff was extremely rude to us during our stay. We extended by one day because my daughter had some complications with her delivery via c-section at the Hospital a few blocks away, and the following day the maids were knocking at the door violently saying the room was supposed to be empty.. Then the front desk called 3 times telling us they thought we were going to a different room, then telling us they would ‘try to accommodate’ our staying in the same room. Then they told us we would have to go sign a new registration at the lobby, which we did. The Hotel is not booked up; there are very few people here.
On this same afternoon, two of my other kids wanted to come to the hotel for a visit. They were treated incredibly rudely when they asked where the elevator was in the lobby.
The one saving grace was the exquisite food from this restaurant, The Bentley Room. It was marvelous.
I realize the Hotel is old and the rooms have not been renovated, but the staff being terrible to us made this stay unfortunate.
Maybe do better with customer service in the future Bentley Hotel.