Best Western Plus Sandcastle Beachfront Hotel

From the road, you'd be forgiven for mistaking the Best Western Plus Sandcastle Beachfront Hotel for a multi-story car park, albeit a rather colorful one. A cheerful colorful scheme certainly continues inside, with a bright and vibrantly toned lobby lounge that gives off a real beach-vacation vibe. Although opened in the '70s, a 2012 refit spruced up much of the public areas, though sadly not all as colorfully as the reception -- the pool, sun terrace, and breakfast room feel comparatively drab. The atmosphere is generally friendly and laid-back, attracting mostly families with kids as well as couples and young groups eager to hit the beach just across the boardwalk. 

The hotel is located toward the southern end of Virginia Beach, on the boardwalk and just a block south of the town's amusement park. It's in a fairly busy area surrounded by hotels, and there are plenty of restaurants and shops within walking distance. The hotel is a two-minute walk to the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier and a 15-minute stroll down the boardwalk to Grommet Island Beach Park. Neptune's Park, where concerts are held on summer evenings, is a 25-minute walk or five-minute drive. The Norfolk International Airport takes half an hour to reach by car. Parking is free.

The hotel has 150 clean and comfortable rooms, where the hotel's colorful palette continues with cheerful oranges and reds, plus vibrant striped carpets that contrasts with more sober dark-wood furnishings. All open to balconies with patio-style furniture that faces the sea and overlooks the beachfront boardwalk. A good selection of amenities includes 37-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffee- and tea-making facilities; in-room Wi-Fi is free of charge, though it can be slow and require multiple sign-ins. Bathrooms are mostly pretty cramped, outfitted with shower/tub combos, wall-mounted soap and shampoo dispensers, and separate sinks. All rooms are air-conditioned and evening room service is available.  

This lower-middle-range property offers all the expected amenities for a low-key beach getaway. A fairly small heated indoor pool is open throughout the year, and it has a separate splash pool for kids. There are a handful of chairs outside, but more can be found on the adjacent sun terrace with loungers and tables as well. A breakfast buffet is always free of charge, and includes make-your-own pancake and French toast stations, plus fresh coffee and juices. The breakfast room is a little on the drab side, though the wall-to-wall windows overlooking the beach are scenic. There are also a modern, small carpeted exercise room with sea views, a coin-operated laundry room, and business center.