Virginia Beach Getaway: Royal Clipper's Unbeatable Oceanfront Deals!
Virginia Beach Getaway: Royal Clipper's Unbeatable Oceanfront Deals! - A Review That's Actually Real (and Maybe a Little Chaotic)
Okay, so picture this: You’re craving a beach escape. Sun, sand, the smell of saltwater… the whole shebang. Royal Clipper in Virginia Beach pops up with those "unbeatable oceanfront deals," and your bank account starts twitching with excitement (and a little bit of dread, let's be honest, because "deals" can sometimes equal "questionable quality"). Well, I’m here to break it all down, warts and all. Buckle up, buttercups, because this review is gonna be less pristine brochure and more… well, me.
Accessibility: (A Mixed Bag, Let's Just Say)
Right off the bat, gotta give Royal Clipper a point for elevator access. That’s a HUGE win, especially if you're lugging a mountain of beach gear (and snacks! Don't forget the snacks!). They also offer facilities for disabled guests, which is awesome. BUT, I didn't dive deep into the nitty-gritty on accessibility, so I can't speak to the specifics. Definitely call ahead if you have any specific needs, because relying solely on the vague descriptions can lead to… well, disappointment.
Internet: (Finally, a Win!)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! Because, let's face it, in this day and age, paying extra for Wi-Fi feels like highway robbery. I was able to stream my guilty pleasure shows without a hitch. And the Wi-Fi in public areas was decent too. No complaints here. (Though I did see a guy totally hogging a table in the lobby for a solid hour playing Candy Crush. Dude, get a room… literally!)
Cleanliness and Safety: (They're REALLY Trying)
Okay, this is where Royal Clipper deserves some serious props. Post-pandemic, they're going all-out on the cleanliness front. Professional-grade sanitizing services, daily disinfection in common areas, and rooms sanitized between stays - it's reassuring. I saw hand sanitizer stations everywhere, and the staff seemed genuinely committed to keeping things clean. The Staff trained in safety protocol was a good sign. There’s even Room sanitization opt-out available which I wasn't expecting. They are even using Anti-viral cleaning products which is something I've not seen often. Now, let’s be real, I can’t vouch for the exact effectiveness of all this (I'm not a germ expert!), but the effort was clearly there. They used Hot water linen and laundry washing which is a nice touch. And the Cashless payment service was convenient. So, big thumbs up on that front. I didn't see a doctor/nurse on call, but they did have a first aid kit.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (A Rollercoaster!)
Alright, this is where things get… interesting. Restaurants are listed, plural! The Breakfast [buffet] seemed decent and well-stocked, with your typical Western breakfast options. There's also Asian breakfast which I thought was a nice touch. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was good. They have a Poolside bar, which is crucial. Happy hour is always a win. But…and there's always a "but" isn't there? The A la carte in restaurant was a bit…meh. I ordered the fish and chips, and honestly, it tasted like it had been resurrected from the depths of the freezer. The Desserts in restaurant were also unimpressive. The Snack bar was alright, but nothing to write home about – perfect for a quick bite by the pool. The Bottle of water was a lifesaver after a long day on the beach.
The Pool and Spa (My Personal Heaven!)
Forget the subpar fish and chips! This is where Royal Clipper really shines, at least in my book. The Swimming pool [outdoor]? Gorgeous. Overlooking the ocean? Pure bliss. The Pool with view is exactly as it sounds, you're literally staring at the ocean while you're swimming. I spent hours just floating around, soaking up the sun. They also have a Spa, which had a Sauna, a Steamroom, and Massage options. Seriously, I booked a massage and nearly melted into the table. The Body scrub was divine. The Foot bath was the perfect way to cap off a day of walking on the beach. They have a Spa/sauna which is great. And the Gym/fitness was okay, but I definitely prioritized the pool!
Things To Do and Ways to Relax (It's All Here!)
Besides the pool and spa, there's plenty to keep you occupied. The Terrace is perfect for enjoying the ocean views. The Fitness center is a good fallback but I'm not sure I even went in. They also provide a Babysitting service. The whole place is Family/child friendly. You can also use the luggage storage. The Concierge was super helpful with recommendations for activities. And the Doorman was always welcoming. The Shrine was interesting. The meeting/banquet facilities. The Audio-visual equipment for special events is useful.
My Imperfect Moment (or, the Fish and Chips Incident Redux!)
Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. There were a couple of minor hiccups. Like, the aforementioned fish and chips incident. But the thing that really sticks in my mind is the exterior corridor. My room was off an exterior corridor, and while it offered a fantastic view, it was a bit… exposed. I found myself peering out the window to see what was going on, when it wasn't really necessary, and once, I swear, I thought I saw a ghost! (Spoiler alert: It was probably just the wind. Or maybe leftover fish and chips trauma.)
The Good Stuff (Because There's Plenty!)
Despite the imperfections, I still left Royal Clipper feeling refreshed. Having Air conditioning in public area was great. The Elevator was a major plus. The Daily housekeeping kept the room looking spiffy. The Free bottled water in the room was a lifesaver. The desk was perfect for working on my laptop. They had Satellite/cable channels. They even offered Breakfast in room and Room service [24-hour]. The Bathroom phone was unnecessary, but fun. I've never had a bathtub or a Bathrobes and Slippers. The Bathtub was glorious. The Safe dining setup was good. The Individually-wrapped food options were nice. And the view. Oh, the view! Waking up to that ocean every morning? Priceless.
Bottom Line (Is it Worth It?)
Yes, with a few caveats. If you're looking for a luxury resort with Michelin-star dining, this probably isn't it. But if you want a clean, safe, and relaxing beach getaway with incredible ocean views, and a decent pool and spa, Royal Clipper's "unbeatable oceanfront deals" are definitely worth considering. Just maybe skip the fish and chips. And keep an eye out for ghosts. Just in case.
Key Takeaways:
- Cleanliness is a priority: They're going above and beyond with sanitization.
- Location, location, location: The oceanfront location is stunning.
- The Pool & Spa are the real stars: Make the most of them!
- Dining can be hit or miss: Manage your expectations.
- Embrace the imperfections: It's part of the charm!
SEO and Metadata (Because I'm Trying My Best Here):
- Title: Virginia Beach Getaway: Royal Clipper Review - Oceanfront Deals & Real Talk!
- Keywords: Virginia Beach, Royal Clipper, oceanfront, hotel, review, deals, spa, pool, beach vacation, accessibility, cleanliness, safety, Virginia Beach hotels
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Royal Clipper in Virginia Beach! Find out if the oceanfront deals are worth it, with insights on cleanliness, the spa, dining, accessibility, and more. Real opinions, not just brochures!
- H1: Virginia Beach Getaway: Royal Clipper Review - The Good, The Bad, and the Ocean View!
- H2: Accessibility: What to Expect (and What to Ask)
- H2: Internet Bliss: Wi-Fi That Works
- H2: Sparkling Clean (Mostly!): Cleanliness and Safety at Royal Clipper
- H2: Dining Odyssey: From Buffets to Fish Fiascos
- H2: Dive In! The Pool & Spa Experience
- H2: Extras and Entertainment: More to Do
- H2: My Imperfect Moment (or, the Fish and Chips Incident Redux!)
- H2: The Good Stuff (Because There's Plenty!)
- H2: Bottom Line (Is it Worth It?)
- Metadata: Open Graph tags for social media (Facebook, Twitter), schema
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is the SureStay by Best Western Virginia Beach Royal Clipper, with a hefty dose of reality, chaos, and the kind of internal monologue that would probably get me committed.
Title: Virginia Beach: Sunshine, Sand, and the Mild Panic That Comes with Knowing You're a Tourist
Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for the Perfect Beach Nap
1:00 PM: Arrive at Norfolk International Airport (ORF). Oh, the sweet smell of airport air, a cocktail of jet fuel and stale coffee. Grab a very aggressively driven Uber (seriously, I think the guy was auditioning for a NASCAR pit crew) to the Royal Clipper. The exterior? Let's call it "vintage charming." I'm already picturing the possibilities of a themed room in the lobby.
1:45 PM: Check-in. The front desk guy, bless his soul, probably deals with more drama than a daytime soap opera. "Room ready? Fantastic! (Please, let it not be haunted… or smell like the inside of a gym bag.)". Key in hand.
2:00 PM: Unpack. The bedspread? Let's just say it's seen some things. But, hey, clean sheets are clean sheets. (And let's be honest, I packed one respectable outfit, everything else is questionable beach attire… and some emergency snacks).
2:30 PM: The Beach! Okay, here's where things get real. Armed with a ridiculously oversized beach umbrella, more sunscreen than a sunscreen factory, and a beach chair that I'm convinced is plotting against me, I hit the sand. Finding the ideal spot is an Olympic sport. Too close to the water, and you're battling rogue waves. Too far, and you're contemplating if a sunstroke is the true cost.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Beach Nap Attempt #1. This is the goal. The sun. The sound of the ocean. Bliss. Unfortunately, my attempts at this perfect beach nap are thwarted by a screaming toddler, the constant seagull activity, and the increasingly compelling urge to pee. It's a constant series of tiny failures. The beach blanket is a sand magnet and my hair is basically a second beach - the struggle is real.
5:00 PM: Stroll on the boardwalk. The boardwalk is a sensory overload. The smell of saltwater taffy, the sound of arcade games, the sight of… well, a lot of things. Witness the glorious human spectacle of it all, starting at the First Landing State Park, a total nature buffer.
6:30 PM: Dinner at a "casual" seafood restaurant (with a questionable Yelp rating). I ordered the “catch of the day”. It arrives looking a bit… pale. Honestly, I’m not sure what it is. Edible, but not exactly a culinary masterpiece. But hey, waterfront views always help.
Day 2: Nautical Nonsense and the Quest for a Clean Bathroom
8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Expectation: Fluffy scrambled eggs. Reality: Slightly rubbery, but the coffee is strong, and I desperately need it.
9:00 AM: Boat tour. The “Dolphin Cruise”. The idea was romantic. The reality? Huddled with fifty other tourists on a boat, enduring an aggressive captain who makes dolphin puns, and trying to spot dolphins. We may have caught brief glimpses of a fin or two. The boat is rocking violently, everyone is a little green around the gills, and I’m starting to question all my life choices.
11:00 AM: I've discovered that Virginia Beach has a lot of antique stores. I'm in love. I go on a shopping spree that is both a blessing and a curse - my backpack now weights 100 pounds.
12:00 PM: Lunch at a boardwalk oyster bar. So good. And then I realize I need to use the bathroom.
12:30 PM: Desperately Search for a working public bathroom. The boardwalk bathrooms are… well, let's just say they leave something to be desired. I finally find a semi-acceptable one in a random souvenir shop. Victory!
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Beach Time (Take Two). Maybe a slightly less exposed spot? Maybe? Still fighting the sand. Still fighting the sun. Still fighting the constant internal argument with myself about whether I should be getting up to grab another snack, or to see if the sun has moved on to the next beach.
3:00 PM: Walk, walk, walk. The sheer number of stores is absolutely bonkers. I make it to the Virginia Aquarium, and this turns out to be a total gem. The sheer number of fish, otters, and jellyfish - I melt away into total awe.
5:00 PM: Dinner at a place called "The Lucky Oyster." (Yelp reviewed well). The food is decent, the atmosphere is better. I accidentally order a drink that's way too sweet. I nurse it for the next hour, pretending to be sophisticated.
7:00 PM: Evening walk on the boardwalk. The air is cooler, the crowds have thinned. This is the best part of the day. Maybe, just maybe, I can actually relax.
Day 3: Sand, Sun, and Farewell
8:00 AM: The same breakfast routine, but with a newfound appreciation for the slightly-rubbery eggs. (And I'm now friends with the coffee machine).
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: One last beach push. I finally master the beach chair! I almost manage a nap. I get this close. Then… a rogue wave soaks my book. Okay, so it didn’t go as planned. But I'm starting to think this is part of the charm.
11:30 AM: Check out of the hotel. (Sad, tbh. The slightly-sketchy charm had grown on me.)
12:00 PM: Lunch at a casual restaurant. One last round of delicious fried seafood.
1:00 PM: Head to the airport. My bags are packed. My spirit is slightly sun-kissed. My sense of humor has been thoroughly tested.
2:00 PM: Fly home.
Final Thoughts:
Virginia Beach is… an experience. It’s not perfect. It’s messy. It’s a little chaotic. But it's also got its own weird charm. And sometimes, just sometimes, amidst the sand, the sun, and the near-constant internal panic, you find a moment of genuine joy.
And hey, at least I have some epic stories to tell. Like, about the dolphin cruise. Or that time I accidentally ate something that looked suspiciously like fish. Or the great bathroom hunt of 2024. Good times. Good times.
Escape to Philly: Microtel Inn & Suites Airport Deal!
Virginia Beach Getaway: Royal Clipper's Unbeatable Oceanfront Deals! (Or, My Slightly Chaotic Adventures There)
Okay, spill. Are these "unbeatable deals" *really* unbeatable? I mean, what's the catch with the Royal Clipper?
Beachfront is great, but how *close* are we talking? I need my toes in the sand ASAP.
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they, like, *clean*? And what about amenities?
Is there anything to do *besides* the beach? I get restless.
Parking: Nightmare or manageable? Tell me the truth!
Food, glorious food! What's the dining situation like near the Royal Clipper? Any recommendations?
Any absolute MUST-DOs or MUST-AVOIDs while staying at the Royal Clipper?
So, would you go back? Be brutally honest!
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