Captain's Quarters of Old Town is ideal for a special family vacation or short-term military, corporate or diplomat lodging. It's a newly available, fully furnished town home in the northeast section of Old Town Alexandria, only three blocks from the George Washington Memorial Parkway to the east and five blocks from U.S. Route 1 to the west. For vacation visitors, this makes Captain's Quarters more convenient to the U.S. Capitol, the National Mall, Smithsonian museums, Kennedy Center and other attractions than traveling from many parts of Washington, DC itself. Plus, if you are driving, you will have a reserved, free and safe place to park when you return each day!
Captain's Quarters also is perfect temporary lodging for those on military, corporate or diplomatic assignments -- with ample space for an extended stay, a washer, dryer and storage area). The location is ideal for accessing Washington, DC; Crystal City; the Pentagon; Ft. Belvoir, National Harbor, and other locations in the DC-northern Virginia area via foot, bike, car, bus, Metro rail, taxi or water taxi.
This home-away-from-home is a 3-bedroom, 3½-bath, two story townhouse with a two-thirds finished basement. Its amenities include a custom-tiled steam bath and Tempur-Pedic Cloud mattress with ergonomic adjustment in the master bedroom; park view, ceiling fan and combination down/memory foam mattress topper in the second bedroom; and a queen-size futon bed and work-desk arrangement in the third bedroom. There are two full baths (one with shower/tub) on the top floor. The main floor has a gourmet galley kitchen with Jenn-Air double oven; adjacent dining room and sitting area; living room with wood-burning fireplace and TV.
In the finished area of the basement is a family and media room with 3D wide-screen LCD television and surround sound. There is a portable Serta queen-size bed if needed, along with a full bath with shower. In the adjacent, partly finished area of the basement is a laundry room and storage area available for guest use.
The entire house has central A/C (with humidifier for wintertime); WiFi access to Internet; and reserved parking directly in front of the house. Throughout the home is artwork collected from Navy assignments and travel around the world, plus creations from Alexandria’s many contemporary artists. Some of the art is available for sale if you take a liking to it during your stay.
Not that you will spend much time inside with so much to see and do outside. A large patio in back has a BBQ grill, table, chairs and umbrella. The patio opens to a quiet neighborhood park with an enclosed children’s playground nearby. Only a few blocks away are the Potomac River with Alexandria’s beautiful river-front parks and the 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail. Also nearby are restaurants and cafes, grocery stores, and shops. The heart of Old Town is 10 blocks away – a nice walk, quick drive, or inexpensive ride on the local DASH bus.
Your arrival package includes an 'A to Z' guide to Captain's Quarters and the neighborhood -- plus driving and public transportation maps, walking routes, tourist guides, restaurant menus, and discount coupons for local activities. Alexandria's calendar is packed with parades, festivals and performances throughout the year.
In case you are new to Old Town: It is nationally recognized for its early American architecture, boutiques, art and antique galleries, historic sites and award-winning restaurants. Founded by Scots in 1749, Alexandria quickly grew to become a bustling and wealthy seaport. In 1796, the Duc de Liancourt declared Alexandria “the handsomest town in Virginia – indeed it is among the finest in the United States.” Today, one popular tourist guide has this to say: “Older than Washington DC itself, Alexandria, Virginia, is a historic city that melds the charm of yesteryear with attractions desired most by visitors today, including top restaurants, chic boutiques, interesting art galleries, lively bars, and notable sights” (Moon Travel Guide, 2012). At least 75% of Alexandria's stores, restaurants and spas are locally owned and can't be found anywhere else!
The many sites and activities available in Old Town Alexandria include:
-- Only 5 blocks away, the Potomac River and 18-mile Mt. Vernon trail for walking, running and biking (with bike rental available in Old Town);
-- Historic Gadsby’s Tavern, a center for food, drink and conversation since 1770 (George Washington and Thomas Jefferson dined here);
-- Historic Christ Church, completed in 1773 (George Washington and Robert E. Lee prayed here);
-- Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary, where Martha Washington purchased remedies for George's hangovers;
-- Many historic homes open to tourists including Robert E. Lee’s boyhood home and, only 8 miles down the Parkway, George Washington’s restored home and plantation at Mt. Vernon;
-- Monuments and memorials including the George Washington Masonic Memorial, historic cemeteries and a statue of a soldier marking where young men met to march south to fight for the Confederacy at the outset of the Civil War.
-- Great neighborhoods for shopping, restaurants and night life including Old Town's King Street and bohemian Del Ray, both less than a mile away;
-- Boat tours and water taxis to Georgetown, National Harbor and Mt. Vernon;
-- Water sports at the nearby Washington sailing marina (sailboat rentals), Tidal Basin (paddle boats) and Belle Haven marina (sailboat and kayak rentals);
-- The new National Harbor convenient, shopping and entertainment complex, just across the Potomac from Alexandria;
-- Convenient access to the Pentagon, Ft. Myers, Ft. Belvoir, Andrews and Bolling Air Force bases, the new Air Force Memorial, Marine Corps Headquarters at Henderson Hall and other military facilities;
-- All of the sites and activities available in the nation’s capital,with DC only 2 stoplights and 4.5 miles away.
Less than 3 blocks away is direct bus service to the Braddock Road Metro stop, Pentagon, Crystal City and downtown Washington, DC. It’s 7 blocks to the Braddock Road Metro rail station with frequent trains going to National Airport, the Pentagon and Washington. Alexandria also has its own Amtrak train station with regular eastern corridor rail service.
When you are finished with touring or work for the day, you will return to a quiet retreat in Old Northport, a private neighborhood of only 38 townhouses completed in 1978. Captain’s Quarters itself was remodeled in 2010-2012 with all new appliances, upgraded bathrooms, new flooring and carpet, new HVAC system, Casablanca ceiling fans, LED lighting, and many other improvements.
Ask about our active-duty military discount for families for vacations or temporary lodging in connection with schools, TAD or PCS moves.
