Hotels in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach: Atlantic Shore Between the Chesapeake and the Open Ocean

Virginia Beach sits at the southeastern tip of Virginia where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 200 miles south of Washington D.C. The city holds the Atlantic coast's longest stretch of public oceanfront beach — 35 miles — backed by the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, a 3-mile promenade running along Atlantic Avenue from 1st to 40th Street. The Resort Beach district draws families and surfers in summer, while the Sandbridge neighborhood, 14 miles south, offers a quieter barrier-island alternative. Inland, the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge protects over 9,000 acres of migratory bird habitat.

Where to Stay

Most hotels cluster along Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Avenue in the Resort Area, placing guests within walking distance of the ocean. The Hilltop corridor near Independence Boulevard offers mid-range chains convenient to Lynnhaven Mall and First Landing State Park. The Oceanfront commands higher summer rates; the shoulder seasons of April–May and September–October offer lower prices with mild temperatures averaging 60–70°F.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is 18 miles northwest; no Amtrak service reaches Virginia Beach directly.
• Parking: Metered lots along the Boardwalk fill by 10 a.m. on summer weekends — arrive early or use the resort trolley.
• Season: Ocean water temperatures peak around 78°F in August; jellyfish are common July–August.
• Local food: The Rudee Inlet waterfront hosts seafood restaurants specializing in Chesapeake blue crab and Virginia oysters.