Virginia Beach, VA Hotels?

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Hi everyone! I'm already beginning to plan next year's summer vacation. We would like to go to Virginia Beach (it's been years since we've been there!). In the past we've stayed at the Days Inn Oceanfront, the Sheraton Oceanfront, and the Cavalier Oceanfront. All of them were okay, we did really like the Cavalier (we were there in 1999, before they renovated ~ the rooms are small, but we had a great 8th floor oceanfront room).

I'm not sure where we'll want to stay. We'll have to get two rooms. We really like the Cavalier, but it is at the far north, so off of the boardwalk. I got a quote of $2865 (7 nights - choice corporate rate) with taxes at the Quality Inn Oceanfront (formally the Hilton; for a 2 Double and a 1 King room, both Oceanview).

Anyone have any suggestions on hotels? Anyone try the Ramada Oceanfront on 6th street?

Thanks!

 

[mhopset]

Go to Myrtle Beach instead.

 

[Blondie]

I agree, Myrtle Beach is the better of the two, if you don't mind driving the extra 6-7 hours south!

We prefer the "north end" of the beach, it's a little quieter, less teens making noise at 2AM, etc. We haven't stayed at the Ramada you mentioned.

We've stayed at the Capes, Holiday Inn Oceanfront at 26th (stayed there twice now,) and we are trying the Holiday Inn Sun Spree (39th & Oceanfront) in a few weeks. It has an excellent outdoor pool (checked it out in June) and kids eat free. It was highly recommended by a co-worker who has stayed there 3 times now. I'll let you know my opinion, if you remind me!

For around the same price we could also stay at the Sheraton, but the pool is better at the HI Sun Spree (plus with the kids eat free program, it's a better deal!)

Two new resorts recently opened, Marriott Courtyard Oceanfront (39th & Oceanfront) www.courtyardoceanfrontnorth.com (awesome outdoor pool) and The Boarwalk Resort and Villas at 16th & Oceanfront. They have a website also; www.theboardwalkresort.com.

You might also want to check out The Turtle Cay www.TurtleCayResort.com located at 600 Atantic Ave. They also have a nice outdoor pool, and it's down the southern end of the beach. You can get a two bedroom villa there.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Oh, Myrtle Beach. Yes, we've been there many times! However, the drive is just too long (not that we've ever actually driven it), and the past couple years flights have been really expensive (plus, the fact that you have to make a connection in Atlanta or Charlotte, since we no longer get non-stop serivce).

We've been in the Turtle Cay a couple times - really nice resort. But, we'd prefer an Oceanfront room.

We ate at the Holiday Inn Sunspree on the restaurant on the roof of the one tower (Isle of Capri, I think), and it was the most horrible food ever! It did look like a nice hotel, though.

How did you like the Holiday Inn on 26th street? Is that the "Surfside Hotel & Suites"? I'm also considering that one.

I've visited the Courtyard Oceanfront South (near the Holiday Inn Surfside), and it looked okay. It was brand new back then (3 years ago!). I'm sure the Courtyard North would probably be pretty similar.

I was kinda interested in that new BoardWalk Resort Hotel. Would you happen to know what a 2 or 3 bedroom villa would run?

But, I think we want to try the South End this time. We've stayed up north three times, and there really wasn't anything going on up there! I really shouldn't be going by hotel websites, but they are saying that they are in "the quiet south end, where the beach is it's widest", but as I remember there was alot going on in the South End.

I'm still really interested in the "Ramada on the Beach" on 6th street, as it's looking like I can get a really great rate there.

Thanks!

 

[abaldacci]

chose time becasue they have rallies for bikers at myrtle and it can get wild also grad week is wild and in nc an sc it is early may- june and biker week falls somewhere in there. myrtle is nice pick tiime wise mho



DARE TO DREAM

 

[Blondie]

How did you like the Holiday Inn on 26th street? Is that the "Surfside Hotel & Suites"?

Yes, that is the one! It has a little restaurant (you can eat indoors or outside) a small indoor pool w/jacuzzi. It was nice, nothing spectacular, (I'm always comparing hotels to WDW hotels!) but we've stayed there twice....so.....yes I would stay there again!

We ate at the Holiday Inn Sunspree on the restaurant on the roof of the one tower (Isle of Capri, I think), and it was the most horrible food ever!

Really? My friend said she had excellent food AND service, LOL! I guess you never know!

I really chose the HI Sun Spree for the outdoor pool, and the north end of the beach locale. At this point in our lives, we aren't looking for the "action" that the younger crowd is. Quiet is good!

"the quiet south end, where the beach is it's widest",

I don't think it's any wider than the northern end, do you? And quiet? Who are they kidding!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Blondie, I'm not sure what to think anymore! I actually thought the same thing as you when I first read it! As I remember, though, the beach was a little wider on the south end than the north end (not that I really got to examine it, as I never actually went on the beach on the south end). Are they done pumping the sand back on the beach? When we stayed at the Cavalier, they had lots of machinery in the ocean, we were told that the city was pumping sand back to on the beach. (I think they had pipes on the beach one other time we were there, I think mid-town).

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Blondie]

Are they done pumping the sand back on the beach?

Yep, it's all done! The Army Corp of Engineers was rebuilding the northern end of the beach last year. That end had very little beach due to several hurricanes over the past couple of years. It's done, and looks wonderful!

Last year, I used to joke....that we had a "barge view" room. There was an ugly black barge out there, right across from the Holiday Inn. We were oceanfront, but unfortunately, the barge was parked in the ocean the entire trip, except when it made trips far out to pump more sand for the beach. It also caused the sand to have nasty black streaks in it, the kids would get out of the water with black streaming down their legs! It was probably oil from the barge! YUCK! One of the reasons I'm hardly ever in the ocean! I'm a cement pond kind of gal!

During this June, they were in the process of rebuilding the beach at the southern end....glad we didn't stay down there!

 

[snowwhitemom]

Cali, I have stayed there many times. The end of the board walk is where the Holiday Inn sunspree. In my opion the nicest on the board walk. If being on the boardwalk is not important to you try oceanfront...Virginia Beach conference center. It is up a lil futher but it is more family if you know what I mean. We love Va. beach and do not like Mrytle Beach, so to each there own. Good luck with your choice. May I recommend "hot Tuna" and Mahi Mahi, Two of the beachs best I think, Great food, drink and atmosphere.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Thanks for the replies!

We definetly want Oceanfront, preference on the boardwalk (Cavailer is as far north as we'll go). I have seen the VA Beach Resort Hotel waaaay up north when we went to Duck Inn and Gazebo for dinner, looked like a nice place, but too far north.

I hope to get a better price for two rooms, seven nights, than the near $2900 price for the Quality Inn. Anyone know how to get a good rate for an oceanfront hotel? Any discounts? We've paid rack rates in the past when at VA Beach, and I'd like to get some sort of a discounted rate.

Thanks!

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by CaliforniaDreaming
Anyone know how to get a good rate for an oceanfront hotel? Any discounts? We've paid rack rates in the past when at VA Beach, and I'd like to get some sort of a discounted rate.
Thanks!

One way (if you can wait 'til the last minute) is to check the hotel you're interested in's website....very often they'll run specials, but they're only posted 3-4 weeks in advance. You'll have to call the hotel directly for the special rate.

Last year we got the Holiday Inn (26th & Oceanfront) for $100.00 per night. It was an "internet special" they were running.

 

[JerseyJanice]

We were there last year, and I'll say this--if they are doing sand replenishment in the south end, go north! We had the misfortune of having it done directly in front of our hotel last summer. We paid $$$ to get direct oceanfront and wound up with an ugly view of sand pumping equipment.

That said, the Ramada you are talking about is a beautiful hotel with a fantastic restaurant (the Mahi-Mahi, mentioned below). All of the "chain" hotels looked very nice to me. In fact, all of the hotels mentioned in this thread would be fine by me.

Of the no-names, there is one called the Oceanfront Inn (I think) in the 20's that looked great. Also, the Capes that Blondie mentioned is nice. We stayed at the Breakers last year. The pool was awful, but everything else about the place was very nice--big, clean, beautiful room and good location.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Does anyone know if the sand replacement will be infront of the Ramada (6th street) next July? I think that's where we've decided to stay.

Blondie, I will keep my eye out for that $100 at HI Surfside!

Thanks!