Ocean Sands Resort, Oceanfront, Virginia Beach by Vacatia

We found a cockroach the night before checkout, and a second one the next morning while packing. There had been little bugs around the room halfway through our stay, and we were told they were “waterbugs.” They weren’t. The manager never showed up when we waited to talk, and the assistant manager apologized and offered a $350 refund. We still haven’t received it, and the host never replied to my refund request. I’m out $2500. Avoid this place like the plague. We arrived at 9 pm for my 35th birthday in June to find a dirty room: boogers on the walls, carpet stains, an unvacuumed floor, a dirty sink, and hair on the bed. They said nobody was available to clean that night, but they’d send someone the next morning. We were told we couldn’t get a refund if we left, and they were sold out, so we stayed. It took two days for someone to come clean, and the housekeeper acted like doing it properly was a chore.

The balcony view was lovely, and we could watch dolphins swimming in the morning. We also liked having a door between the bedroom and kitchenette. The staff were friendly, and the room felt spacious and comfortable. We had a minor issue that we raised after leaving, and the manager was kind and helpful. Ocean Sands Resort was a wonderful place to stay, and we look forward to coming back.

Management has been awful, even though they’re starting to renovate. The manager can only work with the money he’s given, so it’s not his fault. The desk staff were the best part of our stay, but trash bags and pizza boxes sat in the hallway because residents expected staff to pick them up. I had to call to get the mess removed. Our fourth-floor window leaked. I could list reasons to avoid staying here for half an hour, but just don’t.

The best part for us was being just steps from the Virginia Beach board walk, with beach access and lots of nice restaurants nearby. We had a lovely Labor Day weekend, and I’d consider returning now that I know what to expect. Johnny Mañana in the lobby was fun and had live music on the weekend. The pool was nice and less busy than I expected; at 4.5 feet deep, it was great for my baby and I felt safe. From the 12th floor balcony, I enjoyed morning coffee with an inspiring ocean view, and saw a pod of dolphins around 6 to 10 am. The balcony was a real plus. The Ocean Sands Hotel felt more like a 3.5 star place than the 4 star hotels I’m used to with my Club Wyndham points. Most of the staff were friendly, and the room and hallway were mostly clean. The room was smaller than I expected, so I had to move the kitchen chairs to open the sofa bed. The bathroom whirlpool tub was old and didn’t seem to work, and the hall carpet needed vacuuming or updating. Also, there’s a Navy base nearby, so expect to hear some awesome jets overhead.