Arleigh Burke Pavilion at Vinson Hall Retirement Community

    1739 Kirby Rd, McLean, VA, 22101
    4.2 · 13 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    • Memory care
    • Skilled nursing
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    4.0

    Clean caring community needs staffing

    I chose this place for my mom and I'm glad overall - administration, leadership, cleanliness, rehab and the activity program are excellent, and my mom is very happy. Maria stood out as a genuinely caring caregiver and most staff were good, but chronic understaffing (one nurse/two aides for ~10 residents) led to long call-bell delays, slow/slack responses and some unprofessional "I don't know" moments. PT/OT felt rigid and checklist-driven with little individualization (we actually had better results with at-home therapy), and there were communication lapses between staff, doctors and family. The campus, gym, on-site skilled nursing and hospice are strong, but food, limited shuttle/emergency transport, high cost and occasional disciplinary handling of patients need improvement. Overall a very nice, well-run community with caring people and clear room to improve clinical staffing and coordination.

    Pricing

    Schedule a Tour

    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Medication management
    • Mental wellness program

    Healthcare staffing

    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Restaurant-style dining
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Kitchenettes
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Dining room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor space
    • Small library

    Community services

    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    4.23 · 13 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      3.6
    • Staff

      3.8
    • Meals

      2.0
    • Amenities

      4.2
    • Value

      2.0

    Pros

    • Compassionate caregivers (e.g., Maria)
    • Large, attractive campus and grounds
    • Friendly resident community
    • On-site skilled nursing and hospice services
    • Extensive activities and programs (gym, shows, movies, arts & crafts, tours)
    • Regular exercise and rehab programs (in-house PT, gym, five-day exercise)
    • Rehab/therapy services generally effective
    • Attentive and professional staff and leadership
    • Clean facilities and home-like rooms
    • In-house physician/medical oversight
    • Catering and multiple dining options
    • Well-run assisted living operations
    • Strong administration/management
    • Many residents and families report high satisfaction

    Cons

    • Understaffing in skilled nursing areas
    • Slow response to call bells
    • Inconsistent professionalism among some staff
    • Poor communication and coordination (medical, financial, family updates)
    • Checklist-driven, impersonal care lacking individualization
    • Rigid PT/OT approach that may not suit all patients
    • Incidents of staff reprimanding patients after accidents
    • Perceived lower quality of skilled nursing compared with at-home care
    • Limited shuttle/transport options and gaps in emergency transport
    • High upfront buy-in and overall expensive cost
    • Distance and traffic make visits difficult for some families
    • Food/dining quality sometimes unsatisfactory
    • Some staff described as slow, slack, or not proactive
    • Shortage of Medicare workers impacting services

    Summary review

    Overall impression: Reviews of Arleigh Burke Pavilion at Vinson Hall Retirement Community are mixed but lean positive for residents in the assisted-living and lifestyle areas while raising notable concerns about aspects of skilled nursing, staffing levels, and communication. Many reviewers praise the campus, programs, facilities, and leadership; several describe the community as "top-of-the-line," very clean, and professionally run. At the same time, multiple summaries call out recurring operational and care-delivery issues in skilled nursing and rehabilitation that have a material impact on patient and family experience.

    Care quality and clinical services: There is a split in perception. Numerous reviewers compliment the in-house physical therapy, rehabilitation programs, gym, and regular exercise offerings (including daily exercise classes) and say rehab services are "pretty good" or even "excellent." An in-house physician and onsite hospice/skilled nursing presence are cited as positives. However, several reviewers felt the skilled nursing side was understaffed and too checklist-driven—examples include one reviewer describing a staffed ratio of one nurse and two aides for roughly ten patients and frequent long delays on call bells. These same reviewers described PT/OT as rigid, lacking individualized plans, and in some cases felt outcomes would have been better with at-home providers. There are also complaints about isolated incidents such as a patient being reprimanded after an accident, which contribute to concerns about patient-centeredness and compassion under stress.

    Staff, professionalism, and communication: Leadership and many staff members receive praise—several summaries highlight "great leadership," caring people, and staff who are "above average," with specific praise for individuals (for example, "Maria" singled out as showing genuine care). Yet, reviewers also report inconsistency: some staff described as slow, slack, or not especially compassionate, frequent "I don't know" responses to questions, and lapses in coordination between the facility, external physicians, and family members. Communication gaps extend to financial and medical coordination, where families reported not receiving needed information. These mixed reports suggest the facility has strong personnel and management in parts, but inconsistent execution across shifts or teams.

    Facilities, activities, and environment: The physical plant and programming are among the strongest areas. Reviewers consistently cite a large, attractive campus with nice grounds, an extensive activities calendar (arts and crafts, concerts, tours, movies, musical events), multiple dining options, and home-like, non-sterile rooms. These elements contribute to many residents being very happy and engaged; multiple summaries note a friendly resident community and numerous activities that make life vibrant. Several reviewers called the facility "well-run" for assisted living and emphasized the breadth of amenities available on-site.

    Transportation, emergency preparedness, and logistics: Practical issues arise around transportation and emergency response. Reviewers noted a limited shuttle service and at least one example where the facility’s emergency transport setup was insufficient, requiring the family to hire private emergency transport. Distance and traffic were also mentioned as factors that make visiting difficult for some families. These logistical concerns are important for families who rely on the community for timely medical transport and frequent visits.

    Costs and value: Cost is a recurring concern—reviewers mention a high upfront buy-in and overall expense, with some saying it is not financially ideal. While many feel the quality and amenities may justify the price for assisted-living residents, others weigh the cost against perceived shortcomings in skilled nursing or communication and conclude the value is mixed.

    Patterns and recommendations implied by reviews: The dominant positive themes are strong facilities, robust activities, good rehabilitation programs in many cases, professional leadership, and pockets of excellent caregiving. The dominant negative themes are understaffing and delays in skilled nursing, inconsistent staff professionalism and communication, a sometimes impersonal, checklist-driven approach to care, transport/emergency gaps, and high cost. Taken together, the reviews suggest Arleigh Burke Pavilion performs very well as a lifestyle and assisted-living community with excellent amenities and many satisfied residents, but has operational and staffing gaps in its skilled nursing and clinical coordination that could benefit from additional staffing, improved emergency transport protocols, stronger communication systems with families and physicians, and a greater emphasis on individualized care plans in therapy and nursing. These improvements could substantially reduce the most significant concerns while preserving the facility's many strengths.

    Location

    Map showing location of Arleigh Burke Pavilion at Vinson Hall Retirement Community

    About Arleigh Burke Pavilion at Vinson Hall Retirement Community

    Arleigh Burke Pavilion at Vinson Hall Retirement Community sits on landscaped grounds in McLean, VA, and honors Admiral Arleigh Burke's military heritage, which means it's meant for retired military members and their families, but it does welcome other seniors, too, so the place feels welcoming and serene, with gardens and walking paths and comfortable spots to sit outside. The Pavilion offers many different levels of care all in one place, so people can move in while living independently-downsizing to a one- or two-bedroom apartment with their own kitchen or kitchenette, cable TV, thermostat, and emergency power outlets-and then, if they start needing more help with daily living, like bathing, dressing, or taking medications, staff step in and do that, and all the apartments get regular housekeeping and laundry, so things stay clean and tidy.

    For those with memory loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, the Pavilion has secure memory care areas where trained staff offer specialized support and activities, with all the safety features needed, like 24-hour supervision and a sprinkler system. Residents who need skilled nursing care after an illness or injury can have medical support day and night, wound care, occupational therapy, and help managing conditions like diabetes or incontinence, so families worry less. If someone only needs a break after a hospital stay or their caregiver needs some time off, respite care is also available. The Pavilion includes a nursing home with a reputation for quality, offering rehabilitation programs to help people get back their strength.

    The community offers social and recreational activities, crafts, movie matinees, outdoor visits, trips, devotional events, and health and wellness programs, and the property has a fitness center, library, theater, activity rooms, a salon and barbershop, all-day restaurant-style dining that can handle special diets, and guest parking. People can spend time in elegantly decorated dining rooms or relax in common spaces that feel like home. There's even a chapel service for those who want it. The apartments have washers and dryers, WiFi, and emergency features, so daily living is easier and safer. Staff help with things like walking or transferring from one place to another, and the community provides transportation for appointments or outings. The Pavilion, run by a non-profit, has gone through renovations to keep things modern and comfortable, and the focus is always on providing high-quality, compassionate care and support, so people can age in place with dignity.

    People often ask...

    Nearby Communities

    • Exterior view of a large, multi-story senior living facility building at dusk with lights on inside. In the foreground, there is a landscaped area with a sign that reads 'Legend Personal Care Memory Care' and the number 425. The building has multiple windows and a sloped roof.
      $5,725 – $7,442+4.3 (30)
      Semi-private • 1 Bedroom • Studio
      assisted living, memory care

      Legend at Silver Creek

      425 Lambs Gap Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA, 17050
    • Exterior view of a senior living facility named Legend of Lititz showing the main entrance with a covered drop-off area, landscaped greenery, and a clear blue sky.
      $3,575 – $5,270+4.1 (130)
      1 Bedroom • 2 Bedroom
      independent, assisted living, memory care

      Legend of Lititz

      80 W Millport Rd, Lititz, PA, 17543
    • Aerial view of a three-story senior living facility with a front entrance, parking lot, and surrounding trees.
      $4,000+3.9 (15)
      1 Bedroom
      independent, assisted living, memory care

      The Barclay at Midlothian

      11210 Robious Road, Richmond, VA, 23235
    • Exterior front view of a large three-story senior living facility building with beige siding and stone accents, a red roof, multiple windows, balconies, a driveway with a stop sign, landscaped greenery, and parked cars under a clear blue sky.
      $2,730 – $4,895+4.4 (139)
      Studio • 1 Bedroom • 2 Bedroom
      continuing care retirement community

      Merrill Gardens at West Chester

      1201 Ward Ave, West Chester, PA, 19380
    • Covered entrance to a brick building with glass double doors, two chairs on either side, potted plants, and greenery around the entrance.
      $2,214 – $3,800+4.4 (137)
      Semi-private • Studio • 1 Bedroom
      independent, assisted living, memory care

      Exton Senior Living

      600 N Pottstown Pike, Exton, PA, 19341
    • Exterior view of a single-story building with beige siding, white trim, and a red roof. The building features multiple windows and a small tower-like structure with a conical roof. The foreground includes a stone retaining wall, green shrubs, and trees partially framing the view.
      $3,925+4.0 (146)
      suite
      independent, assisted living, memory care

      Truewood by Merrill, Glen Riddle

      263 Glen Riddle Rd, Glen Riddle, PA, 19063

    Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

    1. 120 facilities$5,493/mo
    2. 152 facilities$5,632/mo
    3. 195 facilities$5,650/mo
    4. 207 facilities$5,862/mo
    5. 149 facilities$5,587/mo
    6. 156 facilities$5,890/mo
    7. 193 facilities$5,921/mo
    8. 100 facilities$5,659/mo
    9. 170 facilities$6,104/mo
    10. 156 facilities$5,488/mo
    11. 208 facilities$5,740/mo
    12. 110 facilities$5,818/mo
    © 2025 Mirador Living