Hotel AKA Alexandria Nods to its Historic Surroundings

2023 Best of Year Winner for Domestic Hotel Transformation

Piero Lissoni, an Interior Design Hall of Fame member and master of all genres, adds yet another to his portfolio: his debut U.S. hotel. Located in charming Old Town, Alexandria, just minutes from downtown D.C., Hotel AKA Alexandria melds Italian élan with regional historicism. The architect’s New York studio touched every aspect of the property, from the existing facade, updated with new glazing and chic anthracite paint, to the surrounding landscape, now totally transformed—not to mention design of all public and private interiors encompassing 150,790 square feet. Lissoni’s signature move is the dramatic darkened-steel staircase connecting reception and terrace. Strictly unique, though, is the hotel’s galleryesque vibe. Adorning the lobby are artworks specially mounted on custom screens, which serve as a cocooning backdrop to contemporary furnishings from such upscale Italian sources as Porro, Living Divani, and Kartell.

piero lissoni; stefano giussani; christine napoli; stephanie rieger; tania zaneboni; roberto berticelli; giacomo lattanzio.