It Kinda Works: Notes on the New Embassy Suites Virginia Beach Resort

Embassy Suites Virginia Beach

I usually avoid staying at hotels which I deem “too new.”  I’d rather visit closer to a year after opening, hopefully after the property has worked out any kinks.  So it was against my usual judgment that we quickly gave the Embassy Suites Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort a try.  Indeed, the property only opened about three months ago.  But my wife had a Hilton free night certificate expiring next month.  Plus, as locals, we could sneak in a low season weeknight visit before the property is used/abused by tourists over the summer.  Here are my first impressions of the property based on our one-night stay.

Resortish Enough

Okay, that’s clearly not a word.  But I came into the stay mystified by the term “Embassy Suites Resort.”  That seems like a stretch.  I know a few exist – Hilton claims 11 do – but I’ve never been to any.  The Embassy Suites Virginia Beach delivers just enough here.  Interestingly, this property and the adjacent Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront and Cavalier Resort have a common owner.  The complex provides just a hint of exclusivity even for Embassy Suites visitors.  I enjoyed exploring, primarily jumping between the different properties’ dining and drinking options.

Activities

The oceanfront pool is inviting and adequate if not jaw-dropping.  The indoor pool with garage-style doors is smartly placed behind the outdoor pool area.  Plenty of seating exists, especially in the outdoor area.  And, of course, there’s easy beach access, as well.  The resort fee, waived on Hilton award stays, includes a two hour bike rental for two adults (available in front of the Marriott’s garage).  Metal detectors are also covered by the resort fee and available at the Marriott bell stand.  Meanwhile, I noted the irony of obtaining resort fee benefits at no cost from a Marriott property while staying on a Hilton award stay.

Unsurprisingly, Embassy Suites guests do not have access to the exclusive Cavalier Beach Club.  This pool area is across the walkway from the Embassy Suites’ outdoor pool and looks very similar.  Embassy Suites visitors don’t seem to be missing much.

Dining

Gone is the antiseptic atrium design which many Embassy Suites are known for, often with a dusty restaurant dropped in the middle.  Arbuckle’s is the hotel’s main restaurant which also serves the complimentary breakfast and evening reception.  The space and menu are intriguing enough, and one should consider going out of pocket (gasp) for a meal here.

I enjoyed breakfast in Arbuckle’s with an excellent view of the historic Cavalier.  The usual Embassy Suites breakfast fare is available, plus fresh omelets and pancakes.  The food quality and experience was a tick above what I’m used to at Embassy Suites – which isn’t saying much – but satisfying enough.  The evening reception was a different story – more on that in a future article.

Again, the Embassy Suites Virginia Beach visitors benefit from the other properties’ convenient dining and drinking outlets.  I enjoyed dinner, including the best French dip I’ve had in years, at the Hunt Room in the basement of the Cavalier.

Reliable Service

We arrived for check-in just after 12 noon, and the front desk agent efficiently provided our two queen, two room suite.  All employees at the hotel were well-mannered and seemingly in good spirits.  Multiple times, employees went out of their way to ask about our stay.  Housekeeping shined here.

There were no major hiccups during our stay, and the property was operating like a well-oiled machine.  Based on the service, you can’t tell this hotel is so new.

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An Attractive Room

Perhaps I’ve been scarred by my previous Embassy Suites experiences.  But I was pleasantly surprised at how well-appointed the two queen, two room suite is.  Quality of the materials stands out here – the comfy couch, the sturdy bar and bathroom, the plush bedding.  I liked  the combination dining table/desk area, and the bedroom also holds a small table and chair which can double as a secondary workspace.  Each room held a large television mounted on either side of the same wall.  The smooth sliding door opens to a partial ocean view.  Warning – two queen, two room suites with full ocean views aren’t available.  Those views are available with the one king, two room suites, though.  We were fine with our view from the 12th floor, anyway.

Conclusion

Those looking to maximize the monetary value from Hilton certs or points at the Embassy Suites Virginia Beach Oceanfront may do better elsewhere.  But high season stays will deliver more cent per point value for those who are stuck traveling then.  Still, our room for a one-night low season stay would’ve been a stout 75k points if we hadn’t booked with a cert.

I said “enough” a few times in this article.  Indeed, the Embassy Suites Virginia Beach adequately delivered for us.  This may be our new favorite Hilton property on the oceanfront.  But we must remember that the nearby Hilton Garden Inn offers one thing this property does not – full oceanfront balcony views from all rooms.  Regardless, we look forward to visiting the Embassy Suites Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort on another low season stay.  As with any new hotel, I’m just as interested to see how the property holds up.

Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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