AKA has opened the 180-room Hotel AKA Alexandria (Va.) in Old Town Alexandria, close to waterfront restaurants, art galleries, museums, boutique shopping and 20 minutes from Washington, D.C.
“The opening of Hotel AKA Alexandria brings a distinctive new experience to Alexandria, unlike any hotel the city has offered before,” AKA CEO Larry Korman said in a statement. “Together with our partners, we’ve created a modern hotel with sophisticated design, bespoke amenities and services, while paying tribute to the rich history of Old Town to bring a new wave of travelers to the city.”
Hotel AKA Alexandria is the first U.S. hotel project from Italian architect Piero Lissoni of Lissoni New York. The property blends modern minimalism and midcentury elements. The lobby has art by Mineheart Limited and Sabine Pigalle on the walls. Sleek lines, dark tones and rich materials of the common areas evoke Japanese minimalism, Scandinavian design and a reinterpretation of colonial styling. The lobby focal point is a signature Lissoni floating staircase that accentuates the dark steel and lines that ascend to the hotel’s terrace level.
The a.terrace has a seasonal bar, with views of the Zen Garden, and natural greenery. A.terrace is furnished with a number of seating groups, firepits and greenery along with the bar seating.
The guestrooms and suites have amenities and furnishings designed by Lissoni New York and crafted by artisans, including Italian furniture makers Living Divani and Porro. The Zen Garden Rooms have views of the Zen Garden. The guestrooms have a natural color palette with warm lighting and natural light from the picturesque windows. French Crema Luna stone is used throughout the bathrooms, which have walk-in showers with rain shower heads and Fantini hardware along with large stone vanities.
The Suite Collection ranges from 525 to 735 square feet, and each Lissoni-designed suite has a dedicated living and sleeping area with custom Lissoni-designed wet bars.
“Lissoni envisioned a new chapter for the old city of Alexandria, a destination for business travelers and leisure visitors to feel at ease in an art-oriented environment," Lissoni CEO Stefano Giussani said. The sculptural motifs are distributed in the common areas like the staircase, the art gallery, bar lounge and the library. We added a serene garden terrace where guests can enjoy the changing of the seasons and relax in peace and tranquility."
Dining and Meeting Amenities
The hotel has two dining options—a.lounge and French-inspired cafe. Menu offerings will be curated by veteran restaurateurs Bill Chait and Raphael Francois.
The hotel has a conference center and a 1,500-square-foot junior ballroom with an additional 700-square-foot prefunction welcome area.
Additional amenities at Hotel AKA Alexandria include a.cinema, an on-site theater available at select properties. A.cinema is available to all guests for private screenings.