The Real Chic Life

Last weekend George and I celebrated our 11th Wedding Anniversary. We’ve been traveling so much over the past year that I was content with keeping it low-key and suggested a nice dinner date, but he insisted we do something more. We settled on an overnight staycation at The Marriott Oceanfront Resort. While I’ve dined at the Marriott’s signature restaurant Orion’s Roof several times, I’d never actually stayed at the resort. Before we dive into what I thought about our stay let me tell you a little about it and why you might want to book it for your next trip to Virginia Beach or steal away for a night or two like we did. 

The Marriott Oceanfront Resort (a family-friendly resort) is located in what locals call The North End. It’s quieter and more residential than the main boardwalk. The North End is known for its serene and picturesque atmosphere. The Marriott opened there in 2020 with 305 rooms, 25,000 sq ft of event space with ocean views, and a highly sought-after rooftop restaurant. There is another onsite restaurant- Tulu’s Seaside Bar and Grill that also opens to the ocean on the main floor, and there is an ice Cream and coffee Shop (We Scream) on the other end of the main floor. There are also dazzling outdoor and indoor pools, an adirondack seating area facing the ocean, and additional seating around fire pits. There’s another eatery- The Deck-Sea Grill and Bar located outside that offers laid-back yet sophisticated beachfront dining. Like the other restaurants, It’s open to the public so you can check it out even if you’re not staying there. Their website says that they occasionally have live music too. 

While there are several beautiful hotels situated on oceanfront property in Virginia Beach, in my opinion, this is the one that actually feels like a resort. Everyone we ran into had that sun-kissed vacation look about them and both adults and children frolicked in the outdoor pool, even on a slightly warm October day. 

We loved the clean contemporary ocean view room, complete with everything you need. And if you have a suite like we did you might find that you actually have more than you need. George liked having two television screens a few feet away from each other. “If you’re on the couch, there’s a TV. And if you’re laying in bed, there’s a TV,” he’d said convincingly, his arms shooting left and right. I guess the logic is sound but while two might be convenient, one is usually just fine with me. But I digress, the point here is that the room was lovely and well stocked. 

Okay, so here are a few things to do: 

Where to dine– we celebrated our anniversary with dinner at a nearby restaurant- Eurasia. It’s a foodie’s must visit- “ Coupled with powerhouse chefs, a sommelier-crafted wine list, and the most exclusive bourbon list at the beach.” Eurasia is an excellent choice for special occasions or a fun night out. They just released their new menu but I have a feeling they rotate often. And though we didn’t dine at the aforementioned on-property restaurant Orion’s Roof during our stay (simply because it’s already a favorite and I wanted to try something new) I do love their menu, which consists of Asian fusion, coastal favorites, and sushi. I am always blown away by their spectacular panoramic views. It’s a beautiful garden rooftop dining experience and a must-add to your list whether you stay at the resort or not. We also visited the bar at Tulu’s (on site) after we returned from dinner, and had a wonderful ocean breeze-filled breakfast there in the morning. 

And while Orion’s is on-site and Eurasia is about 10 min off the strip there are certainly other dinner hot spots located on, or right off, the boardwalk. Here are a few of my other favorite places to find delicious meals: Isle of Capri (also with spectacular ocean views), Mahi Mah’s &Waterman’s (both ocean facing), Chops, Pacifica, and IL Giardino. 

What to do– There are several resort amenities. If you’re into relaxing on vacation you can lounge by the pool all day, rent beach chairs and bury your feet in the sand, or visit The Seahill Spa across the street at the Cavalier for an indulging escape. Or if you’re more the adventurous type Virginia Beach has parasailing, whale-watching excursions, deep sea fishing trips, windsurfing, and even indoor skydiving. There’s a bike rental service that is perfect for cruising along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. And you can also pop over to the Cavalier (their iconic sister property steeped in American tradition) to enjoy the Tarnished Truth bourbon tasting or tour the distillery. Tours can be booked here. The Cavalier also has an activities calendar with everything from movie nights to bayou bbq’s.

Where to shop– if you’re looking for kitschy souvenirs then the boardwalk abounds with plenty. But just off of 31st Street there are lots of eclectic little shops like the Mermaid Factory and Sea La Vie. My personal favorite is The Lemon Cabana– George bought me a beautiful paperclip and pearl necklace for our anniversary there. But they also have clothing, candles, and a nautical home goods section. They even carry national favorites like Julie Vos for statement jewelry lovers and Cuddle and Kind Dolls for your littles too. If you’re looking for bigger chain stores the Virginia Beach Town Center has you covered. You can find everything from Pottery Barn to Anthropologie there. It’s a fairly close drive (15-20 min) from the oceanfront. 

As you probably guessed by now we had a wonderful stay at the Marriott Oceanfront Resort. Virginia Beach, in my humble opinion, is an often overlooked resort city. If you’ve been and didn’t love it you may have been doing it wrong. Take note of my suggestion- stay at the Marriott Oceanfront Resort, then try a few of the things I’ve mentioned above and let me know your thoughts.

I’d love to hear about any lesser-known East Coast Resorts with an ocean view that you have visited and loved too. 

Until Next post, 

Xo Tonya Parker