Virginia Beach Getaway: Howard Johnson's Unbeatable Oceanfront Deals!
Virginia Beach Getaway: Howard Johnson's Unbeatable Oceanfront Deals! - A Wild Ride (And Honestly, Worth It?)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on the Howard Johnson's in Virginia Beach. And let me tell you, it's been a journey. Forget slick, perfectly-composed travel blogs – this is the raw, unfiltered truth, complete with the good, the bad, and the utterly bizarre. And yeah, there were definitely some bizarre moments.
First Impressions (and the Parking Lot Saga):
Landing at the HoJo… well, it's classic. You know what you're getting into. Think faded glory, sun-bleached signs, and that unmistakable scent of salt, sunscreen, and maybe a hint of something else you can't quite place. (My guess? History.)
Accessibility & Security (Important Stuff First): They seem to try to be accessible. There are elevators, which, let's face it, can be a lifesaver after a day of pounding the sand. The website boasts about "Facilities for disabled guests", but I didn't personally test the depth of their accessibility, so I'm erring on the side of maybe? (Please, always double-check with the hotel if accessibility is a make-or-break deal.)
Safety: Okay, the good news: lots of security measures. There's CCTV everywhere (CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property) – like, watching-you-watch-every-move everywhere. Front desk [24-hour] is reassuring, and you get the standard safety deposit box routine. Definitely felt secure, even if it bordered on feeling observed, you know? Felt safer than some of the sketchy parking lots I've encountered, for sure. Bonus points for having Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms.
Cleanliness & Safety (The Pandemic Shuffle):
Let's be real, COVID's changed everything. This HoJo took this seriously. They claim "Rooms sanitized between stays," "Anti-viral cleaning products," and this whole list of "Hygiene certification" stuff. The real-world proof? Spotless. I mean, exceptionally clean. Almost too clean, like they were scrubbing down the very ghosts of beach vacations past.
They have "Hand sanitizer" everywhere and you can even choose to opt-out of room sanitization (Room sanitization opt-out available) if you're that confident in your immune system! The whole "Staff trained in safety protocol" was evident in their cautiousness. The "Cashless payment service" was a time-saver and the "Daily disinfection in common areas" gave me some peace of mind.
The Room - My Personal Oasis… or Not?:
Opened our door, and I've got to tell you: our room (Non-smoking, with a view!) was… functional. The view? Spectacular. Oceanfront, baby! The kind that makes you forget, for a split second, that the carpet might be older than you.
Inside, there's Air conditioning to combat the heat, the standard desk and coffee/tea maker situation, the alarm clock chirping away, and a pretty decent sized TV. (Satellite/cable channels, yeah.) They also have bathrobes though I never used them. The "Free bottled water" got my attention though.
Oh, and the Wi-Fi [free]! Actually worked! (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet access – wireless) It’s like a miracle! Never had to scream into my laptop to get a signal.
I'm a sucker for a good blackout curtain (Blackout curtains) and a comfy bed – which this had! More than once, I slept past my wake-up call. (Wake-up service, yes!)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Maybe):
The "Restaurants" situation? Sparse. There’s a Coffee shop, but don’t expect gourmet. More like "grab-a-donut-and-run" kind of experience. They have a "Poolside bar", which is always a win-win, and they do have a "Snack bar".
"Breakfast [buffet]" seemed safe enough.. "Breakfast takeaway service" is a godsend when you just need to get on the beach STAT.
Here's My Biggest Win:
They're not kidding claiming unbeatable oceanfront deals.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Beach Bliss (Mostly):
You're at the beach, People! Need I say more? "Swimming pool [outdoor]" is great for a quick dip. The "Fitness center"? Okay, I'll be honest, I glanced in there. It looked… like a fitness center. (I, uh, stayed on the beach.) They have a sauna (Spa/sauna) and Sauna also, which sounded nice. The steamroom felt tempting, too.
The "Massage" experience? I can't rate. I was having a beach experience.
Services and Conveniences:
Let’s talk about the essentials. The "Daily housekeeping" was efficient. The "Concierge" was helpful, though never knew who the Doorman was. There’s a "Convenience store"- which also was useful for snacks.
For the Kids (and the Kid in You):
The "Family/child friendly" label is accurate– lots of families all around.
The Verdict (Drumroll Please…):
Look, the Howard Johnson's in Virginia Beach isn't going to win any awards for luxury. But it is clean, the location is unbeatable, and the staff, while not always bubbly, did seem genuinely concerned with making sure that everyone was content with their stay.
If you want fancy, go elsewhere. If you want an affordable, clean, and perfectly positioned base for your Virginia Beach adventure, this HoJo is a winner. It’s not perfect, it’s a little rough around the edges, but it's got its own quirky charm. And hey, you're at the beach! What more could you ask for? Honestly, I'd go back. (Just bring your own coffee.)
Escape to Comfort: BWI Airport's Best-Kept Secret Hotel
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're going on a trip to the hallowed halls of the Howard Johnson by Wyndham in Virginia Beach, and let me tell you, things will get real. Or at least, they'll get me real.
The Virginia Beach Voyage: A Confession-Laden Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and the Awkwardness of the Lobby
- 1:00 PM - Arrival & Check-In Shenanigans: Okay, look, I'll be honest, I booked this trip in a moment of pure, unadulterated boredom. And maybe a touch of "I need sunlight!" My expectations? Low. Really, really low. But hey, at least the website promised a pool. (Spoiler alert: I later found out the pool did exist, although its appearance was heavily reliant on filters and generous lighting.)
- The Lobby Lowdown: The front desk lady, bless her heart, seemed to have mastered the art of the forced smile. I imagine she saw my weary travel-worn face and thought, "Oh, another one. Another soul about to confront the stark reality that is a budget motel." I asked about the "ocean view" room, which was apparently a slight exaggeration. It was more of a "distant beach view" room, best viewed if you held your breath and squinted.
- 2:00 PM - Room Reconnaissance & the Battle with the AC: The room. Oh, the room. It was… functional. Let's go with that. The decor screamed "1980s, but in a way that wasn't even ironically cool." The AC unit, a beast of dubious origin, let out a series of groans before deciding, "Nah, I'm good." Cue my increasingly desperate attempts to wrestle it into submission, culminating in a sweaty, red-faced victory. At least it blasted cold air, even if it also sounded like a dying walrus.
- 3:00 PM - Beach Break (Or Attempted Beach Break): Right, the beach. The reason for this entire pilgrimage. Armed with my trusty beach towel (bought at the last minute, naturally), I high-tailed it out of the hotel. The walk to the beach, I discovered, involved crossing a busy road and navigating a gauntlet of souvenir shops. My initial optimism began to wane.
- Beach Breakdown: Okay, picture this: I get to the beach, and it's packed. Like, sardines-in-a-can packed. But the sun was beautiful. People were enjoying themselves. Kids were shrieking in glee. I stood there for a solid 10 minutes, debating whether to join the chaos or just go back to my AC-blasted room. Ultimately, I opted for a bit of beach, got slightly sunburned, and then retreated, defeated, back to the sanctuary of the hotel.
- 6:00 PM - "Fine Dining" (aka Pizza Delivery): Dinner. The culinary highlight of the day. I, exhausted from my beach battle, ordered pizza. A large pepperoni, extra cheese. A masterpiece of American comfort food, delivered straight to my door. The pizza was adequate. I devoured it. No regrets.
- 8:00 PM - Evening Entertainment: Channel Surfing & Existential Dread: The TV. The ultimate source of hotel room entertainment. I flipped through channels, landing on a marathon of old sitcoms. As I watched, I began to question the choices in my life. Was this it? Was this what existed? Just pizza, a dying walrus, and a slightly-wilted beach? The answer, of course, was "probably not". But tonight, it was.
Day 2: Tidal Waves of Emotion, and a Double Down on the Beach (Because Why Not?)
- 9:00 AM - The Breakfast Bar (A Culinary Adventure): The breakfast bar. The final frontier. Included "complimentary" breakfast. I ventured down with a mix of hope and dread. The coffee was the color of weak tea. The "scrambled eggs" looked suspiciously like a yellow, rubbery substance. I opted for a bagel and some fruit. It was fine.
- 10:00 AM - Beach, Take Two (Plus a Deep Dive): Okay, I had to redeem myself. Armed with sunscreen, a book, and a slightly more determined attitude, I conquered the gauntlet of souvenir shops again. This time, I found a patch of sand. I dug my toes in, cracked open my book, and tried to relax. And, oh my god, it was amazing. I got a light tan, read some of my book, and generally existed in a state of blissful ignorance. This was what I had hoped for, what made the price of entry worth it.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch & a Revelation: Hunger again. I found a little seaside cafe that was actually pretty magical. Good Fish Tacos, good beer. This was a pivotal moment. I wasn't in the best hotel. But for a while, on a sunny day, at a sidewalk table in Virginia Beach… the world was perfect.
- 2:00 PM - Ocean Exploration (A Little Less Beach, A Little More Walking): I walked along the boardwalk, watched the sea. It turns out, even when you're alone, you're not alone. So many people were enjoying the beach, and the sea. It was wonderful.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner with a Side of Realization: Ordered Chinese take-out, and watched the sunset. You know; the usual. But this time, something was different. Maybe it was the sun. Maybe it was the salt air. Maybe it was the slight burn from the beach sun, I truly didn't care. I realized this hotel stay was about so much more. It was the messy, wonderful, imperfect messiness of real life.
- 8:00 PM - Lights Out & Tomorrow: I headed back to the hotel, weary and happy. I closed my eyes, with plans to get everything packed up for the morning.
Day 3: Departure (and a Secret Desire to Stay)
- 9:00 AM - The Farewell Breakfast (And Last Bites): Back to the breakfast bar. This time, I knew what to expect, and I was prepared. I grabbed my coffee, my bagel, and said a silent goodby to the breakfast bar.
- 10:00 AM - Check-Out & a Moment of Contemplation: Sighing, I packed my bag and went to check out. I stood there at the front desk, and felt wistful thoughts of wanting to stay a little longer. It was, after all, a little less of a nightmare than I'd imagined. As I handed in my room key and walked out into the sunshine, I even felt a pang of… nostalgia?
- 11:00 AM - Leaving, and Coming Back: On my way out, I felt something I now realize as a certain feeling of home, in Virginia Beach. I left happy, slightly sunburned, and with a newfound appreciation for the imperfect beauty of life. And I'll be back someday.
Virginia Beach Getaway: Howard Johnson's Unbeatable Oceanfront Deals! (Or, My Slightly Chaotic Thoughts)
Okay, Okay, Howard Johnson's - *Really*? Oceanfront? Are we talking about... *vintage* oceanfront?
Look, before you judge – and trust me, I've been silently judging myself for booking it – hear me out. Yes, Howard Johnson's. Think... maybe a little bit of a time warp. But that's part of the charm, right? (That's what I keep telling myself.) The oceanfront part? Absolutely legit. You walk out the back, and bam! Sand meets your toes. It's not like, the *newest* oceanfront, mind you. More like "Classic Americana" oceanfront. Which, depending on your mood, can be either delightfully retro or "hmm, maybe the AC could be a little more effective." I’d also like to point out, the beach itself wasn't exactly the pristine, untouched shore of my dreams. Seagulls were EVERYWHERE. Aggressive little flying jerks who clearly hadn't learned the concept of "personal space." Tried to eat my fries right out of my hand. Rude.
So, the "Unbeatable Deals"... how *unbeatable* are we talking? Did you sell a kidney?
Alright, the deals. Reason number one I booked. Let's just say, I was on a very tight budget, and the thought of a weekend by the sea without selling a vital organ was... appealing. The prices actually WERE pretty darn good. You know, the kind where you squint and think, "Is this a typo?" No kidney required. But, be warned, cheap doesn't mean *perfect*. It means… well, it means you might be hearing your neighbor's snoring through the wall at 3 AM. And the continental breakfast? Let's just say, the word "continental" was used loosely. Think, pre-packaged muffins and a coffee that tasted like it had been brewed in a rusty bucket. But hey, you're at the beach! You're not there for gourmet cuisine. You're there to see the ocean and then, you know, maybe go to a diner to eat some actual food. Which I did.
What's the vibe? Is it family-friendly? Spring Breakers? Or… something else entirely?
The vibe… Ugh, the vibe. Okay, so it's VERY family-friendly. Like, screaming kids at 7 am, water balloon fights, and the constant drone of excited little voices. I love kids, *I do*, but at 7 AM, I need silence. I needed to be unconscious. So, if you're looking for a quiet, romantic getaway? Maybe not. If you *are* traveling with kids? They’ll be in heaven. You're gonna be surrounded by families. And the occasional, slightly sunburned, probably hungover, college student. It's a mix. Mostly families. And the smell of sunscreen. A *lot* of sunscreen. And sometimes, if you're lucky, the salty delicious smell of the ocean. One time, I swear, I saw a kid eat sand. Right on the beach. Just *scooped* it up and ate it. Made me want to run to the ice cream parlor immediately.
The Rooms: Spill the Tea. Are they… passable? Or should I bring hazmat gear?
Passable. Absolutely passable. Okay, maybe not *sparkling*. But clean enough. The decor? Let's call it… "Early 2000s Coastal." Think, cheap framed artwork of generic sailboats, and a color palette heavy on the beige. The beds were… well, they were beds. Not the plush, cloud-like mattresses of a luxury hotel. More like, "adequate." The AC worked, which was a *huge* plus, especially during the sweltering Virgina heat. The bathroom was… compact. Let's leave it at that. The best thing? Every room had a balcony facing the ocean. That view? Priceless. (Even if the balcony railing felt a little… wobbly.) Then again, I got *really* lucky. They gave me a room on a higher floor and I had the BEST view of the ocean. Every morning, I’d just stand there, mesmerized, watching the sun rise over the water. It was just… *amazing*. Every bit of the slightly questionable decor and lukewarm coffee suddenly melted away. That view, that feeling, it *made* the whole trip. It was perfect. (Okay, almost perfect. The seagull situation still bothered me.)
Anything about the facilities? Pool? Gym? That sort of thing?
The pool? Yes. It was there. It looked… chlorinated. (Probably was.) It seemed clean enough and certainly full of kids. I'm not much of a pool person, so I stuck to the ocean. There *was* a gym, but I never actually saw anyone in it. Probably because, well, it looked like it hadn't been updated since the late 80s. Think, treadmills that might spontaneously combust, and weights that looked like they'd been salvaged from a junkyard. I decided to take my exercise on the beach. Much better scenery. And fewer potential hazards.
Okay, the Beach. WHAT ABOUT THE BEACH? Tell me ALL about it (the good, the bad, the seagull).
The beach! Okay, this is where Howard Johnson’s really shines. Because, listen, I’m not gonna lie: going to the beach makes *everything* better. Even the questionable continental breakfast and the slightly-too-loud families. The sand was soft. The waves were… well, they were waves. You know. The water was refreshing (if a bit cold, depending on the day.) And the sunsets! Oh man, the sunsets were incredible. Just… *glorious*. I spent hours just walking along the shore, collecting seashells, and trying (unsuccessfully) to avoid the rogue seagulls. The beach was wide, filled with happy people, and generally just… lovely. I have to say, I watched a couple build a sandcastle one day. It was the best-looking sandcastle I've ever seen. It made me smile. I thought it was beautiful. One major problem though? The seagulls. GOD, THE SEAGULLS. They were relentless. Ruthless. I swear, one of them tried to steal my hat. I spend most of my time defending my fries and my toes. But I digress. The beach, ultimately, was amazing. The highlight of the whole trip.
Nearby Attractions? What's there to DO besides battling seagulls and watching the waves?
Virginia Beach itself is full of things to do. Boardwalk for people-watching, restaurants (I ate ALL the seafood), shops, arcades... You know, the usual beachy tourist stuff. I'm a sucker for an arcade, so I spent a ridiculous amount of time there, racking up high scores on ancient games. The restaurants were fun, though a little crowded on some of the evenings. I took a trip to the aquarium one day, too. The sea turtles were really cuteStay And Relax
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