Virginia Beach is a resort city on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, with miles of beaches and a dense strip of hotels, motels and restaurants running along its oceanfront. The resort area grew up around the boardwalk and Atlantic Avenue, and that oceanfront strip remains the centre of gravity for most visitors.
For a traveller, the practical question is how close to the sand you want to be. The oceanfront and boardwalk put you within walking distance of the beach, while the Town Center area sits inland and suits those who want a business-district base with easy road and airport access. This guide covers the areas worth considering, what each is like, and which level of accommodation you will find there.
Best areas to stay in Virginia Beach
1. The Oceanfront and Boardwalk (Atlantic Avenue)
This is the resort core, running along Atlantic Avenue beside the beach and boardwalk. It is where the greatest concentration of accommodation sits, from budget rooms to large oceanfront hotels, and it puts the sand, the boardwalk and the surrounding restaurants within walking distance. It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants the beach on the doorstep.
Expect the area to be busy and lively, and note that many properties here face the ocean directly while others sit a block or two back. If an ocean view matters to you, check the exact position of a property relative to the beach before booking.
2. North Beach (around 37th to 39th Street)
The northern end of the oceanfront strip continues the Atlantic Avenue address but sits further from the busiest central blocks. Accommodation here includes oceanfront hotels with meeting space and rooms with private balconies looking out over the Atlantic. It suits visitors who want the beach and boardwalk but a slightly quieter setting than the central resort area.
You are still on the same oceanfront strip, so the beach remains directly accessible; the trade-off is a longer walk to the central attractions.
3. Town Center
Town Center is an inland development built as a "main street" district, busy with business, retail and dining, and it is where you find larger upscale hotels alongside mid-range options. It suits business travellers and those who prefer a city-centre base over a beachfront one.
It is not on the ocean, so you will need to drive or take transport to reach the beach. Its advantage is access: the area sits close to the main road corridors and to Norfolk and its airport.
4. The Historic Neighbourhood near 16th Street
Just off the beach around 16th Street there is a historic neighbourhood with smaller, low-rise lodging, including bed-and-breakfast style properties. It suits couples and visitors who prefer a quieter, romantic alternative to the high-rise oceanfront.
The beach is only a short walk away, so you keep easy access to the sand without staying in the middle of the resort strip.
5. Near the Airport and the Norfolk Border
The northern edge of the city, towards Norfolk International Airport and the Central Business District, has mid-range hotels aimed at travellers passing through or doing business in the wider Hampton Roads area. It suits those arriving by air, or anyone whose trip centres on Norfolk rather than the beach.
This area is several miles from the oceanfront, so it works best if you have a car or do not plan to spend your days on the beach.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: A small number of low-cost options exist, including a guesthouse with hostel-style beds in the resort area and motel-style lodging with easy access to the interstate corridors. Expect basic rooms and, in some cases, an outdoor pool.
- Mid-range: The bulk of the oceanfront choice sits here: chain hotels along Atlantic Avenue, many with ocean-view rooms, private balconies and breakfast included, plus business-oriented hotels inland near Town Center and the airport.
- Splurge: Larger oceanfront hotels and resorts, a long-established oceanfront hotel, and an award-winning Victorian bed and breakfast in the historic neighbourhood. These offer more space, upscale dining and, in the Town Center, conference and event facilities.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself on the Oceanfront and Boardwalk along Atlantic Avenue. It puts the beach, the boardwalk and the largest choice of restaurants and accommodation within walking distance, which is what most first-time visitors come for. From there you can easily judge whether you would prefer the quieter northern end or an inland base on a return trip.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay on the oceanfront or inland?
Stay on the oceanfront if you want the beach and boardwalk within walking distance. Stay inland, around Town Center or near the airport, if you want a business-district base with easy road and airport access and do not mind travelling to the beach.
Is there anywhere quiet to stay near the beach?
Yes. The historic neighbourhood around 16th Street offers smaller, low-rise lodging a short walk from the sand, and the northern end of the oceanfront strip is calmer than the central resort blocks.
Where can I stay if I am travelling on a budget?
Budget options are limited but do exist, including a guesthouse with hostel-style beds in the resort area and motel-style lodging with easy access to the interstate corridors.
Which area is best if I am arriving by air?
The hotels near Norfolk International Airport and the Central Business District are the most convenient for arrivals, though they are several miles from the oceanfront.
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