Need a recommendation for Virginia Beach hotel

[shelly3girls]

We are going to Virginia Beach for a wedding over Memorial Day weekend. I want a nice place to stay with DH and the 3 kids. We really want to be near activities for the kids especially the beach. I am not familiar with the boardwalk but someone suggested staying near there. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
TIA!

[kctwinmommy]

We stayed there in 2006 for my brother's Naval retirement, and I have no real desire to go back. I'm sure it was quite the place back in it's day, but it was really run down, IMO. Yes, there's a lot there, a lot of bars, drunks, mini golf, and the beach.

We stayed at the Dolphin Inn (something like that, overlooked the ocean) and it was OK. Nothing great, but we needed something that had the extra room cuz of the people we had staying. And it was a good thing too, cuz they screwed up and only had 1 room reserved, not 2 that I had done. It worked out OK, since we had major flight delays, my parents had to drive out there after a 12 hour delay at O'Hare, so they got there about 30 minutes before my brother's ceremony! But, the rooms had an actual bedroom plus living room, so they let DH & I take the bedroom, they slept on the sofa bed. And it was only for 2 nights that we were together.

It just wasn't what I thought it would be. It was dirty, run down, and odd. It seems like there are a few areas trying to come back, but most of it hasn't yet.

Oh, and we booked our hotel about this time of the year, and that was for late July, and it was hard to find something. So, I would book soon!!

[tiggerlover]

The Turtle Cay Resort and the Virginia Beach Hilton are really nice as are several other hotels. I have to agree with the other poster, The Dolphin Inn isn't the best. There are a lot of bars, but there are also a lot of shops, restaurants and plenty of beach and boardwalk to enjoy. Most of the bar traffic is later at night, something that I do not see because I am usually home by 10pm. There are some nice mini golf places, there are boat excursions, parasailing, surrey rentals and wave runner rentals....just to name a few. Ocean Breeze water park is nearby as is Motor World and the Virginia Aquarium. At the other end of the beach is Fort Story and the Cape Henry Lighthouse. All of these things are within 10 minutes of the boardwalk. An hour away you will find Busch Gardens, 40 minutes the Hampton Air and Space Museum, then there is Williamsburg and Jamestown, so there is a lot to see and do.

Here are some websites that may help in your search:

http://www.turtlecayresort.com/default.aspx
http://www.beachstreetusa.com/
http://www.oceanbreezewaterpark.com/attractions/
http://www.vasc.org/
http://www.vbfun.com/visitors/default.asp
http://www.virginiabeach.com/
http://www.vabeach.com/
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ss/...equestid=26797

Hope this helps.

[shelly3girls]

Thanks for the info, I will definitely check out the sites. Has anyone stayed at the newer Marriott property? It is called Springhill Suites.

[SydSim]

Just stayed at the Westin Virginia beach, right off of Independence blvd. It's brand new, only open a few months. You'll have to drive to the beach, but there are a lot of places to eat near the hotel.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin...atesortSelect=

[kimluvswdw]

I live in Virginia Beach and there is a brand new Hilton around 35th St. at the beach. There are some not so great hotels up to fancy hotels. It just depends on what you are looking to spend.

[tiggerlover]

Originally Posted by SydSim

Just stayed at the Westin Virginia beach, right off of Independence blvd. It's brand new, only open a few months. You'll have to drive to the beach, but there are a lot of places to eat near the hotel.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin...atesortSelect=

Although this is new and nice, with a family I think it would be better to stay right at the beach. The Westin is about 15-20 minutes to the beach depending on the traffic and it is in what they call downtown Virginia Beach, so it is a city-like area. There are some great restaurants and the mall right there, but I really think a family would prefer the beach.

The Hilton that kimluvswdw mentions is a beautiful hotel and it has two highly rated (expensive) restaurants on site. It is in a great location on the strip, but from what I understand it is rather pricey. We ate at the Catch 31 restaurant there a couple of months ago when relatives were visiting, there were five in our party (one child) and the bill was around $350. We sat outside on the patio near the boardwalk and they had fire pits burning and entertainment, the atmosphere and the food were absolutely wonderful.

[tiggerlover]

Originally Posted by shelly3girls

Thanks for the info, I will definitely check out the sites. Has anyone stayed at the newer Marriott property? It is called Springhill Suites.

I haven't stayed there, but it looks like a really nice property and if my memory serves me correct it just opened a couple of months ago.

[shelly3girls]

We loved the idea of the Westin but other friends we are staying with do not want to pay the price. We decided to go for the Springhill suites in a 1 bedroom. This way DS can sleep in a crib in one room while we can stay up in the other room. Thanks again for all of the advice!

[DisneyPhD]

I have family in VB, so we always stay with them. Sadly my dear uncle is no longer with us and his family sold the beach house. That was always the best place to stay. This house was all the way down on 73rd street.

Many of the hotels (motels) in the lower numbered streets seemed very sleazy and not so family friendly. If it is cheap and near the beach I would beware. One of the bigger hotels in the higher numbered streets would be good.

Have a good trip.

[grlpwrd]

Originally Posted by DisneyPhD

I have family in VB, so we always stay with them. Sadly my dear uncle is no longer with us and his family sold the beach house. That was always the best place to stay. This house was all the way down on 73rd street.

Many of the hotels (motels) in the lower numbered streets seemed very sleazy and not so family friendly. If it is cheap and near the beach I would beware. One of the bigger hotels in the higher numbered streets would be good.

Have a good trip.

Hey you... I didn't know that you have family here.

You hit the nail on the head about the sleazy, scary places. My sister and her husband stayed at the Hilton and they liked it.

Also, I wanted to point out for those who don't know that I think the boardwalk has a handful of showers for rinsing off and 1 public restroom (in the same bldg. as Dairy Queen). ugh lol If anyone knows of any more, please post. Hotels do not allow just anyone to use their bathrooms. (Of course, there are fast food places and shopping area restrooms, but still.... they could do a lot better with public facilities, kwim?)

[DisneyPhD]

Originally Posted by grlpwrd

Hey you... I didn't know that you have family here.

You hit the nail on the head about the sleazy, scary places. My sister and her husband stayed at the Hilton and they liked it.

Also, I wanted to point out for those who don't know that I think the boardwalk has a handful of showers for rinsing off and 1 public restroom (in the same bldg. as Dairy Queen). ugh lol If anyone knows of any more, please post. Hotels do not allow just anyone to use their bathrooms. (Of course, there are fast food places and shopping area restrooms, but still.... they could do a lot better with public facilities, kwim?)

I remember that bathroom. I had to change a very dirty diaper there once, and I ran out of wipes. It wasn't pretty.

My dad's whole family is from VB and Norfolk. I got more relatives there then in MI. I love visiting there, they take us to all the good local places to eat. Man there is some good food in VB. I haven't been for almost 3 years and I miss the place (and people.)

I was kind of keeping my eye out for a hotel since I don't really want to put family up. My clan keeps getting bigger.

We will be in VB for a while this July on our way to Ocracoke Island.

[sunlver]

I have lived in Va Beach for the last 14 yrs. We live right near the new Town center. There are tons of hotels down by the beach. It is a very popular place in the summer. Some of the hotels are very nice, some are not so nice.

[pepperw23]

Originally Posted by sunlver

I have lived in Va Beach for the last 14 yrs. We live right near the new Town center. There are tons of hotels down by the beach. It is a very popular place in the summer. Some of the hotels are very nice, some are not so nice.

Wow, we really are neighbors! I can see the Westin right out my window.


To the OP: If you have not already booked, try the Sheraton Oceanfront.

[cacgac]

We are rethinking a Disney vacation this year due to limited finances. We figured we could save $ by doing a beach vacation. DBIL has RCI time share points that he is giving us. Looked at a few - the best seems to the
Four Sails Resort in Virginia Beach. Has anyone ever stayed here? It is located at 3301 Atlantic Avenue. This board seems to have mixed feelings about Virginia Beach, I do trust your opinions! We have done beach vacations at the Jersey shore, cape cod and always loved it. Will we be making a mistake going there? Any other ideas?
Thanks for your input.