Friday 29 August 2014

Best Hotels and Restaurants in Virginia Beach

If you're looking for a great vacation spot, you won't find many places that have as much to offer as Virginia Beach does. This city offers a range of activities for vacationers of all ages, from hangliding and fly boarding for the more adventurous, to miles of relaxing beaches and quiet forests to explore for those who prefer to sit back and relax. Of course, half of what makes a vacation great is knowing where to stay and what to eat. To that end, we've compiled a list of the best hotels and restaurants in Virginia Beach to help make your vacation great.

Best Hotel: Courtyard Marriott North Beach Resort

It's hard to beat the Courtyard Marriott’s ratings for location, price, and quality. Located at the north end of the boardwalk, the Courtyard offers ocean views that are unparalled in the city. Though it's a larger hotel, the Courtyard really focuses on bringing those small touches to its customers. Visitors will find saltwater taffy nearby, and will enjoy the use of the hotel's complimentary pool. Only a short walk from the beach, the Courtyard makes it convenient to plan your day, whether that includes relaxing at the beach or exploring historic Virginia Beach.

At the prices offered at Courtyard, you'll want to plan your stay well in advance if you're hoping to get a room during the peak of the season. All 50 guest rooms face the ocean and offer private balconies. For a small fee, you can rent a beach umbrella and beach chairs to make your day by the water all the more enjoyable. Return to the room and enjoy the coffee shop, room service, free WiFi connection, and flat screen television with premium cable channels.

Best Restaurant: Rudee’s Restaurant

If you like elegant food in a casual setting, you've got to try Rudee’s Seafood Restaurant and Cabana Bar. This locally owned restaurant offers some of the best seafood that Virginia Beach has to offer, with specialties including Virginia Beach favorites such as crab cakes, tempura fried shrimp, sweet potato biscuits, and chocolate bread pudding. For diners who love to drink local, Rudee’s offers a number of local beers for you to try.

The chef at Rudee’s  Seafood is committed to serving diners fresh, local, and sustainable seafood, making this restaurant an excellent choice for the ecologically minded. It's somewhat tucked-away and hidden location in the south end Marina District keeps it from becoming too crowded, resulting in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Though it's a bit of a walk from the beach, the quality of the food and service make Rudee’s well worth the trip.

Runner Up Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront

The Hilton Garden Inn on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk may be our runner-up choice, but just barely. If you're looking for a hotel that has everything, this is where you want to stay. With two full-service restaurants, a bar, and only a short walk to the beach and shopping you could honestly stay here and not touch your car for your entire trip. If you do decide to explore, the Hilton is only a short distance from popular attractions such as the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and Busch Gardens.

All 167 rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn feature ocean views with a private balcony. The hotel's modern amenities include free WiFi, a mini-refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and 42-inch HDTV. If you're fitness-minded, you'll enjoy the hotel's large fitness center filled with the latest equipment. For those planning to work (though we can't imagine why you'd want to), the hotel offers a 24-hour business center for your convenience.

Runner Up Restaurant: Il Giardnio’s

If you're looking for a taste of something a bit different, this is the Virginia Beach Restaurants for you. Serving Italian ann American fusion dishes, this restaurant is a favorite of locals and visitors alike (so arrive early or be prepared to wait). The location is comfortable and unpretentious; if you're not looking for it, you'd likely pass it right by.

The atmosphere at Il Giardnio’s truly allows you to feel like you're in old town Italy. Italian music sets the tone for your meal. While the restaurant has been voted Virginia Beach's best for Italian food, the steaks should not be overlooked, either. If you're interested in a cocktail, try one of their delicious lemon drops – you won't regret it.

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