There’s a small-town, homey feel to Central Louisiana—marked by some of the South’s warmest hospitality. In that spirit, both Pineville and Alexandria offer comfortable, clean accommodations to suit any budget.
Feeling Fancy? Stay at the Hotel Bentley
Opened in 1908, Alexandria’s most luxurious downtown hotel is infused with the storytelling chops of a long and vibrant history. Legend has it, the lumber baron who built it—Joseph Bentley—did so because he had been turned away from another local hotel. During the time of the Louisiana Maneuvers, when hundreds of thousands of soldiers were training across Central Louisiana as they prepared to enter World War II, commanders stayed for long periods of time in the Hotel Bentley. These included Dwight D. Eisenhower and George Patton, as well as Henry Kissinger and Omar Bradley. Other famous guests include John Wayne and Roy Rogers.
Almost a century and extensive renovations since Eisenhower’s stay, the Bentley remains a top choice, featuring modern amenities elevated by the aura of the old days. There are two restaurants on-site. The Bentley Room makes a storied spot for an elegant lunch or brunch. Downstairs, The Mirror Room Tapas Lounge is a sumptuous location that illuminates downtown’s nightlife scene with elevated cocktails and sophisticated bar bites.
Get Close to Nature at Local RV Parks and Campsites
The Alexandria/Pineville area has options for campers of every stripe—with a dozen or so RV Parks offering affordable hookups, with a range of amenities (Find a complete listing at alexandriapineville.com under their “Accommodations” tab). Get extra close to nature at the primitive campsites in Kisatchie, or lean more luxurious at a resort like Hidden Treasure RV Resort, which claims to be Alexandria’s “quietest” RV Park and offers hiking, private boat launches, and fishing piers—as well as total hookups with electricity, water, sewer, wifi, laundry, and a bathhouse.
The Garden Cottage at Susan's Cottages
Looking for Charming? Stay at Susan’s Cottages
Enjoy the privacy of a cottage suite in the Southern Belle Pecan Orchard, with a back porch overlooking peaceful Bayou Rapides. Three cottages are located just outside the city limits, giving visitors the best of both worlds: peace and quiet in nature, easy access to all the shopping, dining, and museums Alexandria has to offer. Inside, antique furnishings lend home-grown comfort. Elsewhere on the grounds, visitors are welcome to wander into “PawPaw’s Secret Shop”—an onsite metal studio.
Downtown Holiday Inn: Timeless Reliability Plus an Unbeatable View
Offering all of the reliability and affordability of the best chain hotels, Alexandria’s Holiday Inn also pampers guests with unparalleled views of the Red River, and easy access to city hot spots. Onsite, enjoy a drink at Crossroads Tavern, a coffee at Coffee Corner, or the services of an aesthetician and beauty salon.
Find lots more overnight options at alexandriapinevillela.com.
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