Looking for a hotel near Washington, D.C. without staying in the middle of downtown traffic? This Courtyard Alexandria review breaks down my stay at the Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest in Alexandria, Virginia, from a teen perspective — including the Metro location, Wi-Fi, Nintendo Switch hookup, room setup, breakfast, nearby food, and whether it is actually worth booking for a D.C. trip.
I stayed here during my family’s spring break road trip, and while this hotel was not one of my most exciting stays, the location made it super convenient for sightseeing in Washington, D.C.
Courtyard Alexandria Review: Location Near D.C.
The best thing about this hotel is the location. Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest is close to the Eisenhower Metro Station, which makes getting into Washington, D.C. way easier than driving into the city.
From the hotel, we were able to use the Metro to get to places like the National Mall, Smithsonian museums, and downtown D.C. It is also right off Interstate 495, so if you are road-tripping, it works as a convenient overnight stop.
This is definitely the biggest reason to stay here. The hotel itself was pretty basic, but the location did a lot of the heavy lifting.
Google My Map: Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest Area
Before your trip, check out my Google My Map for this stay. I would include the hotel, Eisenhower Metro Station, nearby food options, Wegmans, AMC, and major D.C. sightseeing spots like the National Mall and Smithsonian museums.
This helps show why the hotel can work well as a base for a Washington, D.C. trip, even if the hotel itself is more of a simple crash-and-go stay.
First Impressions
We arrived around 10 p.m., and check-in was quick thanks to a friendly front desk team. The lobby had a typical Courtyard by Marriott feel, but the Bistro and lounge area were bigger than most Courtyards I have stayed at.
Bonus points for having luggage carts available late at night, because after a long road trip, hauling bags is not exactly the fun part.
The Room
We stayed in a double queen room that was clean and had enough space for the four of us. But the room definitely felt like it needed a refresh.
The TV was small, the furniture felt older, and the view was just the parking lot. The bathroom was also tiny and had a tub, which is not my favorite setup.
That being said, my mom reminded me this was more of a “crash and go” kind of stay. For sleeping after a long travel day and exploring D.C., it did the job.
Beds = comfy ✅
Wi-Fi and Nintendo Switch Setup
For this Courtyard Alexandria review, the Wi-Fi and gaming setup were actually some of the better parts of the stay.
I had no problems connecting my phone, laptop, iPad, or Nintendo Switch. Even better, because the TV was older, hooking up my Switch was easy.
One thing I would definitely recommend is bringing a power strip. There were only two outlets near the TV, and both were part of a desk lamp. That is not ideal when a whole family has phones, tablets, laptops, and gaming devices to charge.
Pool & Gym
There is no pool at this hotel, which is a downside if you are looking for more fun hotel vibes.
There is a fitness center, but I did not visit it during this stay. Since this was a Washington, D.C. sightseeing trip, we were already getting a ton of steps in.
Bistro Breakfast and Nearby Food
We had breakfast at the Bistro. I am not usually a big Bistro fan, so I kept it simple and ordered off the kids’ menu with cereal and a banana.
Later that day, instead of going to a restaurant, we walked to Wegmans. Honestly, that ended up being a great family option because everyone could pick what they wanted, and we even brought dessert back to the hotel.
If your family has picky eaters or everyone wants something different, Wegmans nearby is a solid backup plan.
Things to Do Nearby
There is an AMC movie theater about a 10-minute walk away, but we were too tired to go.
The real reason to stay here is the easy access to Washington, D.C. by Metro. From the hotel area, getting to D.C. attractions like the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, National Mall, and other museums was pretty simple.
Pro tip: If you are visiting popular Smithsonian locations, check ahead for free timed-entry ticket requirements before your visit.
Teen Travel Tips:
🎮 Switch gamers: Bring a power strip—trust me.
🚇 D.C. travelers: The Eisenhower Metro Station makes sightseeing way easier.
🍽️ Picky eaters: Hit Wegman’s for food everyone agrees on.
🏨 Hotel vibe check: This is more of a practical stay than a fun hotel stay.
Courtyard Alexandria Review Verdict: Good Location, Mid Hotel
Final verdict for this Courtyard Alexandria review: this hotel was mid, but the location was useful.
It was not a hotel I would book for the room, the amenities, or the overall vibe. But if you need a practical hotel near the Metro for a Washington, D.C. trip, it can work.
If you want updated rooms, a pool, or more exciting hotel features, this probably is not the best pick. But if your plan is to spend most of your time exploring D.C. and just need somewhere to sleep, the location makes sense.
Would I stay here again? Probably not. But would I stay in Alexandria again for a D.C. trip? Definitely.
Another trip, another review. Stay chill, stay curious, and don’t forget your power strip!
— Mateo
This Teen Travelz
FAQ: Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest Teen Hotel Review
Is Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest good for a Washington, D.C. trip?
Yes, Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest can work well for a Washington, D.C. trip because it is close to the Eisenhower Metro Station. That makes it easier to visit D.C. attractions without driving into downtown traffic.
Is Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest teen-friendly?
It is teen-friendly in a practical way, but not in a super exciting hotel-vibes way. The Wi-Fi worked well, the Nintendo Switch hookup was easy, and the location was useful, but the hotel does not have a pool and the rooms felt dated.
Does Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest have a pool?
No, this hotel does not have a pool. If a pool is important for your stay, this may not be the best option.
How was the Wi-Fi at Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest?
The Wi-Fi was solid during my stay. I had no problems connecting my phone, laptop, iPad, or Nintendo Switch.
Can you hook up a Nintendo Switch at Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest?
Yes, I was able to hook up my Nintendo Switch without issues. The older TV setup actually made the HDMI connection easier than at some newer hotels.
Is Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest close to the Metro?
Yes, the hotel is close to Eisenhower Metro Station, which is one of the biggest perks of staying here for a D.C. sightseeing trip.
Does Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest offer free breakfast?
No, Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest does not offer free breakfast. Marriott lists The Bistro as the on-site dining option, but breakfast is not free.
Would I stay at Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest again?
Probably not, but only because I would want to try a more updated hotel next time. The location was useful, especially for visiting Washington, D.C., but the hotel itself was more of a basic crash-and-go stay.
Explore more:
Courtyard by Marriott Hotels – Teen Hotel Reviews
Virginia Hotels – Teen Hotel Reviews