Virginia Beach oceanfront hotels

[Sleeping*Beauty]

We have tried several hotels in VB, but our favorite is The Sandcastle. All of the rooms have ocean front balconies, they have continental breakfast, it's right next door to the pier, and they have a big tropical fish tank in the lobby.

 

[TJA]

IN anycase, have you tried Gold Key Vacations?

I looked at Gold Key when I was on trip advisor and I got to the part about the time share session and then I logged out. It said the adults had to participate but I'm not sure about my kids. They are pretty young to leave in any sort of child care place and I'm not sure if they'd enjoy sitting through a "session." But thanks for letting me know Gold Key is legit because the prices seemed too good to be true! I might take another peek now that I know it's not a scam.

I visited some friends at the Marriott Courtyard on 37th st Friday night. The pool is beautiful, and it's in a good location.

Good to know! It's on my list!

Yes, you can book oceanfront view w/private balcony. It's kind of like the Contemporary, where you book what you want, you know?

I totally understand -- thanks! We'd have to go ahead and book for the oceanfront view because for this first trip I need to make certain we have it. Thanks so much for all the info!

 

[TJA]

We have tried several hotels in VB, but our favorite is The Sandcastle. All of the rooms have ocean front balconies, they have continental breakfast, it's right next door to the pier, and they have a big tropical fish tank in the lobby.

Now this is one I actually have NOT looked at yet! Thanks and I will take a look at it right now.

 

[Picabo]

I looked at Gold Key when I was on trip advisor and I got to the part about the time share session and then I logged out. It said the adults had to participate but I'm not sure about my kids. They are pretty young to leave in any sort of child care place and I'm not sure if they'd enjoy sitting through a "session." But thanks for letting me know Gold Key is legit because the prices seemed too good to be true! I might take another peek now that I know it's not a scam.



!

No it's not a scam at all although I'd book directly with them and not via anything like Expedia, etc. We've done the tour 3 times now - just went a few weeks ago and got $125 Visa gift card and used it to eat out 2 times. (Mahi Mah's is AWSOME!!) We have a 2 and 3 yr old and bring them with us. I brought a portable DVD player along and they also have a huge box of toys that they just brought to our table and the kids had a blast digging in a new box of toys - coloring books, etc. It's a good way to get a good rate and some free meals! Gold Key owns Boardwalk Villas, Turtle Cay, Clarion and Ocean Beach Club. I think they're building a Hilton also. And they don't really pressure you. If you say no (after the tour) they are cool with it. Just depends on if you want to devote 2 hrs of your vacation time to going on the tour. We've done it 3 times now and decided from here on out we prob won't bother with it. (We OWN at Ocean Beach club now - LOL) And even though we own we still are invited to do "owners" tours but I think now that we've done it so many times, we're "done" with it. But anyhow - no it's not a scam but just can be time consuming.

 

[crazy4pooh&eeyore]

My DGD is a teen and likes to be near all the action, shops, etc. Is there a hotel on the beach that would fit that description?

 

[Picabo]

My DGD is a teen and likes to be near all the action, shops, etc. Is there a hotel on the beach that would fit that description?

I would say to focus on around 12-23rd streets. The higher number streets are definately where it's quieter - less shops, restaurants, etc within walking distance. We've stayed down on the quieter end at the RC and we found we had to get into the car every time we wanted to go out to dinner for pizza, etc. We now stay around 16th street which is the center of everything - there's a huge outdoor pavillion (next to a huge Dairy Queen) that has nightly entertainment (free) and they have Beach Street USA on Fri/Sat nights during the summer with lots of entertainment and activities as you walk up and down the street. There are bike rentals all up and down the boardwalk no matter where you stay. We love our location at the Boardwalk Villas Resort and I beleive someone also mentioned the Sandcastle which is nearby (never stayed there myself).

 

[TJA]

Picabo - thanks for the further info on Gold Key. We haven't made a final decision yet, but thank you for taking the time to give me details about it. I mentioned it to DH and he thought if we make this a yearly summer trip that next year would be a better time to try it out. This trip is our first and we don't have a lot of spare time, so I'm not sure how it would fit into our days.

I appreciate all the time and advice from everyone!

 

[Sleeping*Beauty]

My DGD is a teen and likes to be near all the action, shops, etc. Is there a hotel on the beach that would fit that description?

The Sandcastle is right across the street from one of the little amusement park things. You walk maybe 3 minutes and your there. I agree with the other poster who said 12-24 is closer to the action. You don't have to walk very far to get to anything.

P.S. Be sure to pick up the free coupon books!! We love using the buy one get one free at Ben and Jerry's.

 

[PinkRhombus]

Last summer we stayed at the Residence Inn ans I'd stay there again in a heartbeat. They had a nice comp. breakfast. They only have a small indoor pool but guests were allowed to use the Sheraton outdoor pools. We had a one BR which also had a kitchenette. The Sheraton also looked very nice.
We stayed one night at the HI sunspree and checked out. Our room wasn't very clean...so my DH headed out the next morning and got the room at the Residence Inn. There also was a new Hampton Inn that looked nice.

This was what I was going to suggest. That door comes in handy when you would like to watch tv for a while without disturbing the kids. They're a little better design-wise that the SpringHill Suites. It's right at the end of the boardwalk.

 

[2BigKIdz]

We are going to VA Beach this weekend! But unfortunately we aren't staying oceanfront as we are staying with my IL's dance group and they chose to stay in the city instead of on the ocean for financial reasons.

But I had made reservations for my husband and myself at Howard Johnson oceanfront. The rate was $179/night for the weekend and had queen size beds and oceanfront balcony. The reviews were pretty good for a Howard Johnson.

http://www.hojo.com/HowardJohnson/c...pertyId=04607&cid=carat_search-howard_johnson