Bedside Reading and a Stay at Morrison House in Old Town Alexandria

This past Sunday, I did a mini-getaway out to Morrison House in Old Town Alexandria. Located just across the Potomac from DC (it’s less than 20 minutes if you hit traffic at the right time!), Old Town isn’t just a suburb of Washington, it’s a charming historic enclave that actually predates our nation’s capital by 41 years. And, it’s one that I don’t visit nearly enough.

A STAY AT MORRISON HOUSE IN OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA

While Old Town is, of course, easy enough to get out to for an afternoon of strolling its cobblestone streets or an evening of dining and drinking, I love the idea of spending one night away — a mini-escape that lets you disconnect from the hustle and bustle and errands of everyday life.

Just a block off King Street on South Alfred, Morrison House is in the heart of Old Town — ideally located for exploring Alexandria. Once you arrive, you won’t need a car, anything you could want to see or do is within walking distance. Plus, an added bonus: Morrison House is an Autograph Collection property, so you’ll rack up Marriott Bonvoy points while you’re there!

Keep reading below for more about Morrison House and the Bedside Reading program that I took advantage of while there.

Side note: if you’re somehow who visits DC often and usually stays in the District, switch it up next time and visit Old Town! You can plan an entire trip visiting historic sites, trying out amazing restaurants, and popping in shops. I’ll have an Alexandria Travel Guide on the blog soon!

BEDSIDE READING AT MORRISON HOUSE

When I’m spending a night in a hotel, that’s when I take the opportunity to catch up on all the self-care practices that I let fall by the wayside when I’m home — face masks, turning off my phone, and, of course, reading. I never go on vacation without a book by my side, but Bedside Reading makes that even easier. Bedside Reading pairs bestselling books by local and regional authors into luxury and boutique hotels, including Morrison House.

When I arrived at Morrison House, there were 3 books sitting on my nightstand: Conscious Home Design by Talor Stewart, Dark Rhapsody by Helaine Mario, and a children’s book, When I Grow Up by Julie Chen (I’ll be buying this for baby showers from now on!). No surprise here, I picked up the book about Conscious Home Design and dove right in. I received a few messages on Insta stories asking how it is and, let’s just say, that I read it almost cover-to-cover in the morning before we left. I learned all sorts of wonderful nuggets about home design — including a tip that blackout curtains are not ideal in a bedroom because they can throw off your internal clock, something I’ve been claiming without basis for years!

You can find more information about hotels that offer Bedside Reading here.

DECOR WITH A NOD TO HISTORY

Built in the Federalist style of its Old Town neighbors, Morrison House strikes the perfect chord between acknowledging the history of its design while working in modern, sleek elements. It’s classic and formal, yet comfortable and approachable. You feel as if you’re in someone’s boldly stylish and exquisitely designed library, but one where you’re tempted to immediately sink right into the buttery leather chairs.

The rooms, fittingly named Illustrator, Author, and Editor depending on size, are elegant and timeless with simple touches that let you relax in comfort. And, don’t even get me started on the bathrooms — I could rave for days about wanting to bring home that gorgeous Italian marble and the sleek slate blue vanity.

Well-designed and striking details are everywhere you turn, from the artwork made out of books behind the concierge desk to the oversized numbers on the doors. No detail was overlooked at Morrison House.

SIP AND SAVOR AT THE STUDY AT MORRISON HOUSE

Before hitting the town for dinner, we spent an hour or so relaxing in the bar of The Study, Morrison House’s restaurant. With a Gin & Chamomile Milk Punch and a Beef Tallow Manhattan in front of us, we had an awesome time chatting with the bartender and taking in the swanky, old-school ambiance. While we were saving our appetites for dinner, the bartender recommended we at least order the Spice Grilled Spring Lamb and he was right on the money. I’m not even a lamb fan typically, but I’m still dreaming of its perfect seasoning and white bbq sauce…

You can check out the menu for The Study here — there are so many dishes I need to go back and try!

STAY TUNED

While this trip to Alexandria was a quick one, I’m working on a full weekend in Alexandria Travel Guide. There are so many wonderful historic homes and museums to visit, there’s shopping for days — both independently owned shops and larger national brands, there are amazing restaurants ranging from fine-dining to little hole in the wall finds. I can’t wait to share everything with you in the coming weeks — stay tuned!

Thank you to Morrison House in Old Town Alexandria and Bedside Reading for hosting me! All thoughts and opinions are my own and I’m so grateful to the brands that allow me to bring content to my readers! Check out my other travel guides here.