Alexandria

Brochures circa 1970s-1990s; Courtesy of Dan Donahue

Alexandria, Virginia -- 5821 (5819) Richmond Hwy
AKA Mt. Vernon

Set to open in the summer of 1969, the 154 room seven-story Alexandria complex was ideally sited to catch motorists traveling north on I-95 (Capital Beltway-Outer Loop) or those headed into Washington D. C. on U.S.1, and was convenient to area attractions.

Featuring a giant rooftop "Howard Johnson's" sign, the site also originally had a rare canopy A-frame gate Lodge.

HOSPITALITY! SERVICE! OUTSTANDING ACCOMMODATIONS! ... are combined to make your stay at Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge in Alexandria, Virginia, a memorable one. Our 154 spacious, luxuriously appointed guest rooms insure maximum comfort in a tasteful, relaxing atmosphere. Located within 8 min. of Washington National Airport. we are convenient to historic points of interest as well as governmental and commercial facilities. "We always treat you like you're on vacation."

•Soundproofing	•Extra Large Towels
•Wall-to-Wall Carpeting	•Extra Lighting
•Extra Large Beds	•TV & Light Control Panels

•Individual Heat/Air Conditioning Controls

Although the property was remodeled at least a couple of times while a HoJo's, as recently as 1992 Alexandria continued to tout its in-room ThermaSol units!

Below: Note that the site once featured an enclosed swimming pool

Photographs August 1998

A makeover in the 1990s had covered the natural brick, but the site maintained its general Howard Johnson's look and was even designated as a Plaza Hotel for a period of time.

Photographs June 2003: Courtesy of Phil Edwards

The Alexandria Motor Lodge lasted thirty years as a Howard Johnson's. However during 2000 the site was radically converted into a Hampton Inn.

Its Restaurant suffered a worse fate, for it was utterly changed into the Alexandria Diner. HoJo's observer Kyle Snyder (be sure to see his documentation of LaPlata!) watched its transformation and noted that even as it became unrecognizable at least some part of the original structure was reused.