OT- Can anyone recommend a hotel in downtown Norfolk, VA?

[DizneeCM]

We are going to be in Norfolk for three nights for a track meet for my DS. The meet will be at Norfolk State Univ. We were thinking of staying outside of Norfolk, closer to the beach (in a quieter area), but we're worried that we might get caught in traffic and be too late for the meet. The team has reserved a block of rooms at the Norfolk Marriott Waterside, which is about 2 miles from the stadium. Has anyone stayed there? How is the surrounding area? Thanks for any input or suggestions for other hotels.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've stayed in the Sheraton just down the street; we spent the night there on the way back from the Outer Banks, as we had an early morning flight out of ORF the next day, but didn't want to be stuck out by the airport. It was below-average for a Sheraton---pretty long in the tooth, and in need of a renovation. The location was great though: right on the water, near the main downtown shopping center. The rest of downtown buttons up pretty tightly over the weekend (and, presumably, in the evenings) but the Waterside center makes up for that---several restaurants and shops right there. We had a fun evening there, between a good meal and a stroll by the water.

We're driving to the Banks this year (mid-summer flights are much more expensive than late-summer!), but if I were spending the night in Norfolk again, I probably wouldn't return to the Sheraton until they renovated. The Marriott looks like the better choice to me.

 

[astro784]

We stayed one night at the Marriot last July on our way down to the Outer Banks. Great location - we walked to the Waterside with our then 2 year old son (not far if he made it!) lots of shops and restaurants - had dinner outside looking over the harbor - went to see the battleship (USS Wisconsin). Room was fine - very clean and staff was nice. I would stay there again- location can't be beat.

 

[scm200]

there is a doubletree on military highway that is ok, norfolk in not that big - stay away from va beach hotels if you want to stay out of traffic. the water-front area is nice, but on a river (not the ocean). if you want beach you need to check out virginia beach. there is a wonderful omni in newport news but its a drive (1/2 to 3/4 hour) from downtown.
sharon

 

[DizneeCM]

Thanks for the replies. We'll probably stick with the Marriott in Norfolk, but I'll check out the Omni and the Doubletree too.