The ocean glows pink and gold as the sun begins to rise above the sea, slowly brightening the sky before setting it on fire. This early in the morning, the wide stretch of golden sand that fronts the three-mile-long Virginia Beach Boardwalk is mostly deserted. There’s a couple out for a stroll, pausing every so often to pick up sea shells. Nearby a woman is fiddling with her headphones, jogging in place.
The water is warm, and past the breaking waves, calm, so I swim out and float on my back as the sky turns a brilliant blue. In a few hours this wide swath of sand and deep blue sea will be buzzing. From above, it’ll resemble a brightly colored tapestry with rows of people on chairs and towels; bobbing in the sea or biking along the boardwalk beyond it. The air will smell of sunscreen and funnel cakes and french fries; be filled with the happy screech of children, the beats of competing hits blaring from personal speakers. It will be loud and chaotic and fun.
This is what I love most about Virginia Beach — the constantly shifting energy. You can go from solitude to party in a matter of hours and have memorable experiences with both. These eight Virginia Beach oceanfront hotels allow you to effortlessly enjoy it all.