Virginia
The 10 Best Hotels In Virginia Beach
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Latifah Al-Hazza, Contributor
Forbes Vetted
Virginia Beach has become a popular destination for an oceanfront vacation, and the best hotels in Virginia Beach have excelled at keeping up with the city’s growing popularity. Although most travel to Virginia Beach for its expansive beachfront and surfable waves, the city also offers a flavorful culinary scene, a vibrant nightlife and endless adventure sports. From oceanfront hotels to interesting historical hotels, guests of all ages can enjoy a variety of accommodations to choose from.
If you’re looking for an ultra-luxurious stay near the ocean, our top high-end recommendation is The Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club. For kid-friendly amenities, the Embassy Suites Virginia Beach Oceanfront offers plenty of activities for young ones. The Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront is home to one of the best rooftop restaurants in the city, while The Pink House is the perfect place to celebrate a milestone. Below, the best hotels in Virginia Beach for 2024.
Best High-End Hotel In Virginia Beach: The Historic Cavalier Hotel And Beach Club, Autograph Collection
Today, the grandiose hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to three restaurants, a distillery, a spa and more.
The Historic Cavalier Hotel And Beach Club, Autograph Collection
The Historic Cavalier Hotel And Beach Club, Autograph Collection
Who Will Love It: Couples; families; groups
All-Star Amenities: Access to the private beach club; an extensive garden and lawn; frequent entertainment; golf cart transportation
What Not To Miss: Afternoon tea in The Raleigh Room; lounging at the private Cavalier Beach Club; sipping your way through a bourbon tour and tasting at Tarnished Truth
The Cavalier has been a staple of Virginia Beach since the 1920s; the hotel was handed over to the U.S. Navy in 1942, when it was turned it into a radar training site. It later reopened as the original Cavalier in 1976, and underwent a four-year, multi-million-dollar renovation in 2012, when it was restored to preserve its original neoclassical style, seen in its pilasters and columns. Having taken inspiration from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, The Cavalier has welcomed prominent historical figures such as Muhammad Ali, Jimmy Carter, Dwight D. Eisenhower, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, JFK, Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor, to name a few. Today, the stunningly grandiose hotel remains the best luxury property in Virginia Beach and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It features three restaurants, a distillery, a spa, an indoor pool and a private beach club. The hotel also offers plenty of weekly entertainment, ranging from live music to movies on the lawn.
Best Hotel In Virginia Beach For Foodies: Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort
This is the perfect hotel for foodies because the hotel boasts one of the best restaurants in the city.
Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort
Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort
Who Will Love It: Marriott loyalists; couples; friend groups
All-Star Amenities: Bicycles are available for guests to cruise down the boardwalk
What Not To Miss: Sunset drinks at Orion’s Roof; indulging in ice cream from We Scream on the ground floor
The Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort is located across from The Historic Cavalier. Having opened in 2020, the hotel sits directly on the ocean, offering quick access to the vast, sandy beach. This is a great property for foodies, as the hotel offers one of the best restaurants in the city. Orion’s Roof offers phenomenal views of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, handcrafted cocktails, and an Asian fusion menu. Additionally, Tulu Seaside Bar & Grill serves fresh and local ingredients in its seaside dining experience.
The salty ocean air can be felt from all of the hotel’s rooms and suites. The ocean view rooms with balconies are by far the best rooms, but all rooms have limited, if not full views of the ocean. Guests can enjoy an indoor/outdoor pool or lounge at the beach in one of the hotel’s loungers. Bocce ball, fire pits and a terrace for entertainment are located directly in front of the ocean.
Best Pet-Friendly Hotel In Virginia Beach: Moxy Virginia Beach Oceanfront
The rooms are small, but the hotel has plenty of communal spaces to lounge around in.
Marriott International
Moxy Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Who Will Love It: Pets; solo travelers; young creatives
All-Star Amenities: Skittles and drink vouchers upon check-in; a heated outdoor pool
What Not To Miss: The large foosball table on the second floor
Stylish with a minimalist yet beachy flair, Moxy Virginia Beach Oceanfront opened its doors in 2023. Located on the south end of the beach, near much of the oceanfront’s nightlife such as bars and clubs, it’s also within walking distance to putt-putt and mini golf courses. Attractions within a short drive include the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, an excellent excursion for a rainy day, and First Landing State Park, a perfect place to explore with your pup. Dogs are welcome at the hotel with a $50 fee and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. Water bowls can be found throughout the hotel.
The rooms are small, but the hotel has plenty of communal spaces to lounge around in. The lobby has TVs and a shuffleboard table, while the outdoor area offers a terrace and lawn games. The hotel is located right on the boardwalk allowing easy access for a sunrise or sunset stroll along the beach.
Best Hotel In Virginia Beach For Families: Embassy Suites By Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort
The resort boasts an indoor and outdoor pool and two eateries.
Embassy Suites By Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort
Embassy Suites By Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort
Who Will Love It: Families with children
All-Star Amenities: Complimentary breakfast and an evening reception
What Not To Miss: Aqua fit classes in the pool
Embassy Suites Virginia Beach Oceanfront opened its doors in 2023 and became the city’s best family-friendly resort. There are no shortage of activities here that cater to young ones, such as kids’ crafting, mermaid meet and greets, pirate parties and beach metal detector usage. The resort is located next to the Marriott Oceanfront Resort and The Historic Cavalier, which allows for easy access to additional entertainment and happenings. The resort offers an indoor and outdoor pool and two eateries; an open-air Mexican restaurant that feels like dining at a tropical beach shack in Mexico and a 1920’s themed restaurant serving classic American fare and cocktails. Situated on the oceanfront, all rooms offer beach chairs and bicycles for guests who wish to bask in the sun or explore the boardwalk. Book an ocean-facing room and you may get lucky and see dolphins jumping in the air at sunrise.
Best Hotel In Virginia Beach For Shopping and Entertainment: Westin Virginia Beach Town Center
The hotel is located 10 miles from the oceanfront, and is where visitors can find boutiques unique to the area.
Westin Virginia Beach Town Center
Westin Virginia Beach Town Center
Who Will Love It: Friend groups; couples
All-Star Amenities: An excellent location close to all local entertainment
What Not To Miss: A comedy show at Funny Bone and enjoying the nightly activations
The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center is the perfect place to call home while exploring the city’s food and shopping scene. It is located 10 miles from the oceanfront and is where visitors can find boutiques unique to the area as well as chain shops like Bluemercury, Anthropologie, Nike, and Lululemon, to name a few. The hotel is ideally situated within a three-block walking radius to these shops as well as a variety of coffee shops, restaurants and cocktail bars like Town Center Cold Pressed, Twist Martini & Associates and Cantina Laredo.
Just across the street you’ll find the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, where theatrical and musical performances take place multiple times a week. Around the corner is Funny Bone Comedy Club which offers live performances along with dinner Wednesday through Sunday, and down the street there is a Drybar to pamper yourself before a night on the town. Apex Entertainment will keep the children occupied, and if you’ve brought your pooch along but don’t want to leave Fido alone, Dogtopia is a few minutes away and offers doggy daycare services. During the summer months, Town Center showcases movies in the plaza.
Best Budget-Friendly Hotel In Virginia Beach: Delta Hotels Virginia Beach Waterfront
The hotel offers panoramic views of the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States.
Delta Hotels Virginia Beach Waterfront
Delta Hotels Virginia Beach Waterfront
Who Will Love It: Travelers who want to be near the water but away from the touristy part of town
All-Star Amenities: A private beach to relax on
What Not To Miss: Tides Pool Club for cocktails and the outdoor swimming pool
Away from the hustle and bustle of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront lies Delta Hotels, a waterfront hotel on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. The hotel offers panoramic views of the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The hotel’s private beach allows for an enjoyable beach day or lounge by the outdoor pool overlooking the water. The property is home to Tides Coastal Kitchen, a water view restaurant serving Chesapeake Bay oysters and crab cakes, fresh fish and Virginia Beach’s signature orange crush drink.
Local attractions such as the Cape Henry Lighthouse, Ocean Breeze Waterpark, and Hunt Club Petting Farm are just a short stroll away. Bayville Golf Club is within a four-mile radius of the hotel, and Great White Water Sports offers exciting dolphin tours on jet skis. Nearby restaurant staples include Bay Local Eatery, CP Shuckers Café and Raw Bar, and Hot Tuna, which offers live music most evenings.
Hotel With The Best Views In Virginia Beach: Hyatt Place Virginia Beach / Oceanfront
The Hyatt Place offers stunning views of the ocean or picturesque views of the city, depending on the room chosen.
Hyatt Place Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Hyatt Place Virginia Beach / Oceanfront
Who Will Love It: Fitness enthusiasts; those seeking great views
All-Star Amenities: Complimentary breakfast; a guest laundry room; no resort fees
What Not To Miss: An ocean-facing room and the fitness center overlooking the outdoor pool
Located steps from the quieter side of the boardwalk at the north end sits the Hyatt Place Virginia Beach/Oceanfront. The hotel opened in 2022 and has become a go-to stay for those seeking epic views of the Atlantic Ocean (read as: watching dolphins play in the waters). As a new hotel, the rooms are fresh with a beachy vibe. Carpets have been removed and replaced with tiles to keep sand lingering from sandy toes at bay. The Hyatt Place offers stunning views of the ocean or picturesque views of the city, depending on the room chosen, from the private balcony.
The hotel’s backyard is home to Hillier Ignite Fitness Park, which is complete with rope climbing and monkey bars in the sand. Even if you don’t plan to workout, it’s worth watching the athletes show off their skills (or muscles). A block away is a beachfront playground, perfect for children. If you’re spending the day on the beach, a nearby café called Taste will deliver your delicious order to the sand.
Best Bed And Breakfast In Virginia Beach: Barclay Cottage Bed & Breakfast
Staying at this charming cottage offers guests a glimpse into history.
Barclay Cottage Bed & Breakfast
Barclay Cottage Bed & Breakfast
Who Will Love It: History buffs and couples looking for a quaint and romantic getaway
All-Star Amenities: A two-course breakfast and beach cruiser bikes
What Not To Miss: The memorabilia on display in the cabinets
Barclay Cottage Bed & Breakfast remains one of just two original beach cottages in Virginia Beach. Built in 1895, the original plan was to convert it into a golf clubhouse. In 1916, the property was sold to Christopher Columbus Barclay, the first treasurer of Virginia Beach, who had 11 children, 10 that didn’t live past infancy. The one child that survived, Lillian S. Clair Barclay, tutored children in 1922, leading to the guest house turning into classrooms. The school closed in 1972 and was turned into an inn in 1991. Staying at this charming cottage offers guests a glimpse into history. It’s ideally situated two blocks from the oceanfront and is next door to the Vibe District Creative District. The property offers five cozy guest rooms, a great room and a massage room.
Hotel With The Best Location In Virginia Beach: Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront
The hotel is situated steps from the ocean, centered within walking distance of some of the best restaurants and shops on Laskin Road.
Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Who Will Love It: Couples; friend groups
All-Star Amenities: Its proximity to Virginia Beach hotspots
What Not To Miss: An evening drink at the hotel’s rooftop bar
Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront is situated in the most ideal spot on Virginia Beach’s boardwalk. Its location is significant because it is next to Neptune Park’s small outdoor arena, which often hosts live performances, food and art festivals, as well as the city’s notable King Neptune Statue. The hotel’s Catch 31 restaurant is situated on the ground floor with statue and ocean views from indoors and outdoors and offers large fire pits where guests and locals mix and mingle. Guests who want to relax and soak in the ocean breeze while people watching can unwind in one of the hotel’s many rocking chairs placed alongside the boardwalk. The 21st floor has a rooftop Sky Bar that transforms into a lively scene with a DJ on summer evenings and into igloo dining spaces during winter. The outdoor and indoor pool is also located on this floor, the highest floor. Must-visit nearby restaurants include Love Song for dinner, The Atlantic on Pacific for happy hour, Dough Boys for a quick pizza, Duck Donuts for a decadent sweet treat, and Beachside Social to enjoy a full bar with shuffleboard and bocce ball.
Best Rental Property In Virginia Beach: The Pink House
The walls are decorated with art pieces from all over the world; the kitchen is decked out with upscale Café and Smeg appliances.
David Abel
The Pink House
Who Will Love It: Lovers of pink
All-Star Amenities: Solo stove; outdoor gas grill
What Not To Miss: Utilizing the pink golf cart that comes with the rental
Virginia Beach’s The Pink House certainly stands out—it’s quite literally all pink. Its walls are decorated with art pieces from all over the world, while its kitchen is decked out with upscale Café and SMEG appliances. The bungalow has three bedrooms and two full baths, which allows up to seven guests to sleep. Sonos speakers, pool and beach towels, beach chairs, toys for children and four beach cruisers with locks and a pump all come with the rental to make any Virginia Beach vacation easy and enjoyable. The heated saltwater plunge pool, pool loungers and stylish umbrellas urge guests to stay and relax.
The boutique rental takes on characteristics of original Virginia Beach homes with flare from the Playa Grande Beach Club in the Dominican Republic. A highlight of renting this property is that it comes with a pink golf cart to cruise around the oceanfront. It is located minutes from The Vibe Creative District, the city’s cultural arts hub. Nab a reservation at nearby restaurant The Pink Dinghy to pair well with your pink vacation theme.
About Latifah Al-Hazza, Your Los Cabos All-Inclusive Resorts Guide
I am an Emmy Award-winning travel journalist and documentary filmmaker who graduated with journalism degrees from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (BS) and the University of Southern California (MS). I enjoy writing about all things travel, whether it’s about a tribe in the Omo Valley or the latest luxury hotel opening in the Maldives. My first international flight was when I was three months old; since then I’ve traveled to over 55 countries. When I’m not writing, you can find me (still) traveling solo, with my parents, or with my 4 pound Pomeranian. In addition to Forbes Vetted, my work can be found in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Travel + Leisure, Fodor’s, INSIDER, CNN Travel, The New York Times, TimeOut, and more. I am also the co-founder (along with my mother) of Femscape Sojourns, a boutique women’s travel company. I currently reside between Virginia, Chicago, and Kuwait. Follow my adventures on Instagram @tifahtravels.
Virginia
Data centers transformed Northern Virginia’s economy, but residents are wary of more expansion
Julie and Chris Borneman signed petitions, wrote to their local officials, put a sign in front of their house, and joined a campaign against putting the power line through their property.
The recent expansion of data centers and associated power infrastructure is unprecedented, according to Julie Bolthouse, director of land use at the Piedmont Environmental Council, a local environmental nonprofit. She has worked at the nonprofit for 15 years.
“Prior to 2021 I had only worked on two or three transmission line proposals … Within the last three years, I’ve been a participant in stakeholder meetings for at least a dozen transmission line proposals,” Bolthouse said. “We’ve never seen this many transmission lines at once.”
The Piedmont Environmental Council has been keeping track of all these data centers and associated power infrastructure.
Bolthouse said the power company and state regulator have been approving many of these projects, but there is not enough public information about how much energy the data centers use, and their impact on air and water quality.
“We need transparency so that we can proactively plan ahead,” said Bolthouse. “Right now, what we’re doing is basically like our utility is handing out blank checks that we, the rate payers, are on the hook for paying for.”
To that, Aaron Ruby, spokesperson for Dominion Energy, the largest utility in Virginia, said, “as a public utility we are the most heavily regulated industry in Virginia.”
He said the state regulator reviews the energy costs to make sure everyone is paying their fair share, and the share of energy costs that households pay for has gone down, whereas the share for data centers has gone up.
He also added that Dominion Energy expects the power demand from data centers to nearly quadruple over the next 15 years.
The demand for power has never gone up by so much, so quickly.
Some of the electricity will come from natural gas plants, but Ruby said most of that will be from renewable energy like wind and solar power.
In a statement, Amazon pointed out that their company has been the world’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy for four years, and that 90 percent of the energy the company uses comes from renewable sources.
Local officials say data centers saved their economy during the Great Recession of 2007. Buddy Rizer helped bring data centers to Loudoun County in northern Virginia, as the executive director for economic development for the county for the past 17 years.
He said they brought in data centers because during 2007, the local economy took a big hit when the housing bubble burst. The county lost a third of its tax revenue.
“Data centers have such an inordinate return on investment for a community that there’s nothing else that comes close,” Rizer said. “As an example: for every dollar a data center uses in services in our community. We get $26 back. There’s nothing that comes within $24 of that.”
He said the revenue from data centers helped transform their local economy, so they could invest in their schools and roads. He added that the tax revenue from data centers is almost a third of the county’s budget, and completely funds their operating budget.
But Rizer has also heard the concerns about how quickly the industry is growing in their area.
“When you’re in any job 17 years, in your community, you become your job … especially a fairly public facing job like mine,” Rizer said. “I have a lot of conversations at the grocery store or when I’m filling my car with gas.”
He expects the demand for data centers to continue to grow.
Rizer said cloud computing led to a big wave of data centers, then it was the demand for online services during COVID-19. Now, the big driver of growth is artificial intelligence.
He said data centers actually do not have a lot more room to grow in Loudoun County anymore. The more recent proposals for new data centers have been in the surrounding counties, Maryland, states like Kansas and Mississippi, or other countries, like China, India, Japan, and Malaysia.
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How new rules can affect Trump vs. Biden debate
A set of new rules was introduced for a historic showdown between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
Hours before the two presumptive nominees were slated to hit the debate stage for the first time in the 2024 presidential race, First Lady Jill Biden stopped in Virginia Beach on her way to Atlanta to support her husband, President Joe Biden.
“You all know that there’s two visions for America and you’ll see them tonight when you watch the debate,” she told the crowd that had gathered inside of the Biden-Harris campaign office in Virginia Beach for a sign-making event.
“You’ve already chosen your vision, or you wouldn’t be here,” she said to the crowd of Biden supporters. “The vision you’ve chosen is for strong, steady leadership versus the other vision, which is chaos and corruption.”
Earlier, another crowd had gathered near the entrance to parking lot of the strip mall where the campaign office was held. They wore red hats with “make America great again” embroidered on them, held signs in support of former President Donald Trump, the GOP presumptive nominee, and wore shirts with slogans on them like “Joe and the hoe got to go.”
The First Lady’s visit, announced Tuesday, underscores Virginia’s standing as a battleground state during the 2024 presidential election. Her visit came after Trump had announced his plan on Saturday to visit Chesapeake for a campaign rally on the day after the first presidential debate.
“I want you, tonight when you see them debating, I want you to hear Joe’s words but most of all, I want you to listen to his heart,” the First Lady said, as she rallied the group to help get out the vote efforts in the largely active and retired military community.
The pro-Trump demonstration had cleared out of the area by the time the First Lady left in her motorcade.
Democratic voters on the pending debate
Barbara Nesbitt, a retired teacher, said she is happy there won’t be an audience at tonight’s debate.
“It won’t be such a clown show,” she said. She’s a little nervous, ahead of the 2024 rematch in November, but she said she hopes Biden wins overwhelmingly. “To let them know we’re not stupid in America,” she said.
Maurice Hawkins, a Democratic voter in Virginia Beach, noted that the commonwealth has voted for a Democratic president since 2008, when former President Barack Obama won his first term in office. The last Democratic presidential nominee to win in Virginia before Obama was former President Lyndon B. Johnson. Biden won Virginia by 10 points over Trump in 2020.
“In Virginia, we know that we’re a battle ground state, year-in, year-out. All our races are tight. This area is going to be a strategic region in regards to voter turnout, to determine how Virginia will go out,” he said, referring to the Hampton Roads region – which includes both Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.
Sandra Brandt, chair of the Second Congressional District Democratic Party, said she feels confident Biden will perform well in the debate.
“I feel good, I think the president has been looking at all of the issues,” she said. “I think he’ll do an excellent job.”
She noted that the Democratic Party has a lot of work ahead, between June and November, but she feels confident in Biden’s chances of winning the election.
“Tonight will be historic,” Charles Stanton, 69, chair of the Norfolk City Democratic Party said, in the parking lot of the strip mall after the event had wrapped.
He called himself an “optimist on America” and said he hoped the 10% or 15% of undecided voters will shift to the Democratic camp after the debate.
“We are going to have one candidate on the stage with a historic record of accomplishment and another candidate on the stage with a historic record of being indicted 88 times, convicted 34 times,” he said. “It’s just not a choice, I mean it truly is decency versus debauchery.”
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