Looking for Virginia Beach advice...more

[firefly]

Well, our vacations plans have changed...We were planning a trip to Destin to visit family, but after the rise in airfare cost and unexpected family complications, we just aren't going to make it there. The past 2 months have been so hard on our family. Our uncle passed away, my uncle is in ICU on a vent, and my FIL was rushed to the hospital suffering severly from congestive heart failure...My BIL is scheduled to be deployed on a sub(he is a Navy man!) in 3 weeks. Did I mention I just got a call from my daughters preschool teacher telling me that 2 girls in her class have chicken pox?? LOL..guess they aren't lying when they say when it rains it pours!

Anyway, want to surprise the kids with a trip to the beach. They LOVE Virginia Beach. We have been there several times over the last 5 years, and I think they like it so much because it is familiar to them. Since we sold our week there, I need to look for a hotel. We have only stayed at timeshare there, so not sure if there is a reasonably priced hotel that someone can recommend. I'm looking to check in July 30th and stay 5 or 6 nights... Just wondered if anyone had an idea of a decent place I could look at. With all that is going on, I really want to give the kids some fun happy news that they can look forward to.

Thanks for any ideas!
Melissa

[jfbookers]

The week you mention is dead high season for VA Beach and oceanfront properties are going to be well north of $100.00 per night. Suites even more.. you might luck out with something last min. on priceline, or hotwire Most non-oceanfront are less but too far off the beach adds a parking problem. Sandbriudge, South of VA Beach proper has houses for rent but in the $1,000s for that time of the summer. Maybe a TUG last call? Good luck. Yours, Jim

[elaine]

not on the beach---but I think they have a shuttle. Most beach hotels will be $200--- we like (sunpsree holiday inn, 2 courtyards right on beach,hilton, fairfield suites, clarion (part of beach quarters)). All would be around $200+ a night.

[pedro47]

Have you look at Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, VA? This a water park/hotel theme park. You could also visit Busch Garden during your stay.
Great Wolf is about a 1 1/2 hr drive to VA Beach, VA.
web site .. GREATWOLF.com or call 1-800-551-WOLF.

I would also check The Colony a t/s located in VA Beach, VA directly at 757-425-8689 they may have something available.

Good luck

[KenK]

Everyone is right....dead on East Coast - top time to hit the beaches.....even if you tried for a few other places, NJ, Delaware, Ocean City....or S into the Carolinas and N Fl


If you can find a low rate at the DoubleTree, have a Hilton HH Card (might help with an upgrade), and are able to handle loss of normal services due to the (read TA reviews) nutty refurb, I might think it would be OK...(ie- just OK) unless they get finished by mid- summer. A double bed room seems just about twice the size as the normal Fairfield or Hampon Inn. (Actually- 1/2 times bigger)....and the beds are super. (just there last week)..

The main thing at the DoubleTree in VB is to make sure they offer the beach shuttle. The rooms that are completed (if totally completed) are nice....new super beds & linens, new carpets and walls...You must be used to standard T/Ss....that still need a little work.... (or, at least you have an idea of what to expect).

But they are not completed in the public areas. The convention center is also being re done, and fom the looks of it. will not be ready by summer..so the hotel will probably still be many beach goers last 'resort'.

The TA complaints on jet noise is funny...no matter where we stay (except at the Amphib Base)...we always hear jets.

THat's another idea....it will be under $100.....

That relative who is going on Sub duty can get his family a place on Fort Story (beach front) the Amphib Base off rt 60 (has bay beach...can drive down 60 to ocean...I forgot the street the ocean front Navy facility is on...and park and use the beach, BX lunch, BBQs, on the military(and public) guarded beach.

It might be 58th street. All the way to the South end is another Navy beach front facility. The Navy calls then Navy Lodge. They all (not the Army on Ft Story) have a small kitchenette, (sink, stove, micro, ref). (Some of the Army is simple rooms. others might be small cabins....but ask any Army member...it seems the grass (in these kinda cases) is greener over at the Navy.

You need to have wife check NOW...I think they may all be gone, but not the untis on the Amphib Base or in Norfolk Navy Yard...but those you will need to drive to the beach. (And if 58th street...they may charge a small only for parking if car lacks sticker, or a passenger has no mil card)

Open to all military. including guard, reserve, retired....but reservations are open FIRST to active duty (orders) military

[KenK]

http://www.navy-lodge.com/

The pix looks like the facility at the Amphib Base. rememebr, you must be family, and your sister will need to be with you....and you need to know the on base traffic and military rules.

That site above also has links to the Marine, Army, AF, and Coast Guard facilities....ie...Coast Guard training facility in Cape May....

See if the family can get something...Your sister & BIL are the facilitor. They can have family guests. You will need pix ID to enter the bases, insurance cards and reg for the car, and the gate will ask for IDs for every member in the car...every time you pass.

Just another idea

Virginia

Dam Neck (Ocean Front just S of the main VB activities)

1 Queen Bed with Kitchenette and Sofa Bed
$64 April Sept Oct

$77 May June
July August Sept 1-4

1 Queen Bed with Kitchenette, Sofa Bed (Handicap)
$64 April Sept Oct

$77 May June
July August Sept 1-4

2 Queen Beds with Kitchenette
$64 April Sept Oct

$77 May June
July August Sept 1-4
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Little Creek (off Route 60....the Amphib Base)

2 Queen Beds with Kitchenette
Jan - April $56
May - Sep 5 $68
Sept 6- Dec $56
1 Queen Bed with Kitchenette, Sofa Bed
Jan - April $56
May - Sep 5 $68
Sept 6 - Dec $56
1 Queen Bed and Kitchenette (Handicap)
Jan - April $56
May - Sep 5 $68
Sept 6 - Dec $56
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Norfolk (Navy Base)
2 Double Beds with Kitchenette
$62
2 Double Beds with Kitchenette (Handicap)
$62
1 Double Bed with Kitchenette
$62
2 Queen Beds with Kitchenette
$62
1 Queen Bed/Sofa Bed/Kitchenette
$62

[firefly]

Thank you all so very much for the ideas. Ken, thank you for doing all of that searching for me.. BIL will not be around then, so staying at military facility won't work. I'm going to get to work here and try and find something.

Thanks again!!
Melissa

[jfbookers]

You might check out:

http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/I-64/shuttle/

Which runs for free between Williamsburg and VA Beach 1 1/2 hrs each way and NO bathroom but it may open up some other areas for you.

[freshair3]

Check this out:

http://www.skyauction.com/action/offer/1143266

But you need to jump on it!

[firefly]

wow, that looks like a wonderful bargin. Never used skyauction before... Anyone have advice or problems using them??

[freshair3]

I have used them many times. They are reliable and reputable.