Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront

The ambiance at the Virginia Beach Hilton is upscale, especially when compared with many of the other hotels in town; it's also bigger and a tad less low-key. Occupying a 21-story building that towers over its neighbors, the Hilton stands out even from the outside. Through a set of revolving glass doors, the lobby has low ceilings and modern, colorful furnishings in hues of yellow and blue that are found throughout Virginia Beach's hotels. Low seating and ceiling light fixtures that resemble parasols add to the modern, chic vibe. The clientele tends to be vacationers who want something a little special, although business and conference facilities and three floors of executive suites make it an attractive choice for business travelers as well.

The Hilton sits on the beach, smack dab in the center of the action. It borders the southern side of Neptune Park, where bands perform nightly during the high season. It's in a pedestrian-friendly area, with lots of shops and cafes within a few minutes' walk. There's a Starbucks and a few other chain restaurants just across the street and the lighthouse at Cape Henry is a 12-minute drive north of the hotel. The airport and Chesapeake are both around 30 minutes away by car.

Most of the 289 rooms and suites at the Hilton have balconies looking out on the beach as well as 32-inch flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi. Cherry furniture and blue, cream, and green decor gives the rooms an oceanic vibe without making them feel overly beachy. The overall effect is a bit generic, though -- especially for an advertised four-star property -- and cheap popcorn ceilings point to the building's age. Bathrooms are spacious and elegant, with understated striped wallpaper and shower/tub combos with double showerheads and curved curtain rods. Suites are significantly more elegant and updated, and face west; Executive Rooms have little extras such as bigger TVs and occupy the top three floors of the hotel. Rooms facing Neptune Park can be noisy during evening concerts.

The rooftop infinity pool is among the hotel's most attractive features, and guests can swim out to its edges for views of the ocean. It's bordered by a whirlpool and a few lounge chairs for those who don't want to sunbathe on the beach. There's also a smaller indoor pool with a small built-in fountain. The fitness center is roomy and has modern cardio machines and free weights; yoga classes are also offered some of the time. The hotel has two restaurants: a seafood place and an upscale steakhouse, as well as a bar near the infinity pool where regular DJ nights take place. There's a large conference center and audio/visual equipment is available for rent. There's a daily fee for Wi-Fi that is waived for Hilton Honors members -- membership to the loyalty program is free and guests can sign up online. There's also a fee for parking in the on-site garage, and valet parking is available.