Two weekends ago I had the pleasure of staying at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront hotel in Virginia Beach. I was there for a wedding and was so pleased and delighted with everything the hotel had to offer. Although the hotel was built in 2005, it is so well maintained I thought it was brand new! The 21-story property features top-notch panoramic views of the Virginia Beach resort district. The grounds are beautiful, and the adjacent boardwalk is perfect for an early-morning beach run. We had a wonderful lunch at Catch 31, one of the hotel’s two award-winning restaurants. Catch 31’s raw bar is the largest in the area. The shrimp and oysters I sampled were fresh and delicious! I loved that we had the option to sit outside and watch the ocean waves roll in while staying warm under the heater. For an evening cocktail we went up to Sky Bar, located on the 21st floor of the hotel. The Sky Bar is the only seasonal rooftop bar in Virginia Beach. On Sunday, the lounge-style furniture was the perfect spot to enjoy a good book and the gorgeous view. The top floor of the hotel also features an infinity pool, heated indoor pool and jacuzzi. If you enjoy live music, next to the hotel is Neptune’s Park, hosting nightly entertainment throughout the summer. There is also plenty of shopping with the Shoppes at 31 Ocean located right across the street. My experience at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel was certainly a pleasurable one, and I hope you’ll plan a stay there when in the area.

— Christie Rhodes, advertising manager eastern region