Dolphin Run

Our two-bedroom condo was immaculate and had everything we needed for a four-day Thanksgiving trip. Waking up to the ocean view was priceless. The resort was quiet, and both the other guests and front desk staff were friendly. I'd definitely recommend it.

The condo itself was amazing, like it usually is, and the staff did all they could to address the problem. Still, this was the worst of our three years visiting Virginia Beach. On this Saturday-to-Saturday weeklong stay, ants appeared around day four. Nobody had spilled anything or left food out. They started on the balcony, moved inside the sliding door, then reached both counters. Thankfully they never got to the beds or bathrooms. We might look farther down the coast next year. Normally I'd give them five stars.

After decades of family beach trips, I prepaid for a seven-day stay and arrived to find the beach inaccessible because of an upcoming concert. They should have told us so we could choose different dates. From 3rd to 9th street, the beach is being given over to the event. The front desk says they don't give refunds, even though they already have my full payment. This was a material detail that would have affected my choice of dates. Management of the property has declined sharply over the past few years, after all the years we came annually. Renters beware!!!

The staff are wonderful and accommodating, and really treat you like family. The beach was very clean, the balcony was open with beautiful views, and shops and restaurants nearby were easy to reach on foot. It's also easy to get around. The beds were comfortable, and the condo worked pretty well as a home away from home, so I'd recommend it. There were some cleaning issues: my parents found the condo dirty when they arrived, though someone came to clean and they received a free parking permit. My daughters and I arrived two hours later, and it looked clean at first, but the carpet felt sticky and there was hair from previous guests in the tub drain. The cupboards are so full of utensils, cookware, dishes, and glasses that there's no food storage except the fridge. The very loud air conditioners were a nuisance. Bring your own sheets and pillows, since theirs smell ancient; you may want your own comforter too, because I don't think theirs were washed. The pool looked disgusting, though my kids still had fun. There's a full-size fridge, microwave, coffee pot but not a Keurig, stove, garbage disposal, and dishwasher. Laundry is available for a fee in the building. A vacuum, broom, and Swiffer were also provided.