Holiday Inn Va Beach-Oceanside (21st St) by IHG

The oceanfront balcony was beautiful, and hearing the waves all night was calming. The room was nice, and the staff were pleasant. I’m traveling for work and plan to start writing official hotel reviews. I’m not upset I stayed here, but I’ll try somewhere else next time. I loved the location on the water, within walking distance of restaurants, things to do, and places to see. I’d love to return to the area, just at a local hotel where I don’t feel like I’m taking a cold plunge and that has a decent fitness center. The showers were very cold, even though I had the handle turned the right way. Staff said to let the water run for 5-10 minutes. It ran for 35 minutes before I had to go to bed ahead of an early flight, and the shower was still very cold. Breakfast isn’t included, unlike at most Holiday Inn IHG hotels, and I think that’s important to know when booking. I walked to a grocery store and bought food. The gym matters to me when I travel, and this one made it clear you aren’t expected to fit in an indoor workout. It was tiny and dirty; the water source flashed red for a dirty filter, the 5-50 lb dumbbells were very dirty and crumbling, and there was no way to clean equipment before or after use. There was a Bosu ball, but it was only 2/3 inflated. I rated the equipment 7/20, though I need to account for space and cleanliness as well as what equipment is there.

The hotel worked well for our quick three-night Virginia Beach visit. Check-in and getting into the room were easy, and the hotel was clean. Our room was serviced promptly each time, even when we’d only gone out for an hour to get coffee. We came back to fresh towels and a remade bed. The lot can get congested when it’s busy, but there’s an overflow lot across Atlantic Avenue. We didn’t need to use it. Breakfast wasn’t included, which we knew beforehand. It would’ve been nice to have some fruit or something available, but the restaurant was the only option. The fitness center equipment was nice and working. The pool looked clean, though we didn’t use it. By the pool, a back door leads to the boardwalk, and there’s an outdoor shower and foot wash before you reenter the hotel. We’d consider coming back, but might look for a comparable place with continental breakfast.

It was my first time at a Holiday Inn. I went in the off-season in January and arrived at 6 AM. They were able to give me a room and check me in for that following night. The front desk staff were super chill and friendly, made us feel welcome, and checked whenever we passed by to see if we were okay or needed anything. Great location near the beach. In my opinion, the prices are better than Marriott or Hilton.

We managed to book through the Peabodys nightclub website for New Year’s Eve and got a really good deal, $99 plus tax. The receptionist was friendly, and even though we arrived around 11:30 p.m., we found parking. The room was well kept, and the balcony view of the Atlantic at VA beach was easily the best we’ve had in all our years of traveling. The bathroom was a little tight, though, and didn’t have a hand shower. Still, a very good stay.