The Ocean Key Resort — Hotel in Virginia Beach

Update: 9-12-23 I am struggling with how to update my review on this place we have loved coming to stay at for years. This stay that we reserved months in advance for my birthday week has had so many disappointments that I had to lower my star rating and will come back to add details. Although this experience doesn't nulify our previous experiences, it does have a large enough impact on us that it will greatly reduce how often/if we choose to come back. One thought to add now is that in choosing this hotel, we have knowingly given up staying right on the board walk because we have enjoyed this hotel enough to do so.

With each stay over the years we have ALWAYS had a balcony view of Watermans, with the ocean behind that, or the marina. IT WAS MY MISTAKE because I did not realized until this visit that more than half of their rooms DO NOT HAVE BALCONIES. This visit we were unlucky enough to discover that upon check in.

Not only could we not enjoy time on the balcony or see or hear the water, but the smells within the hotel room of marajuana and cleaning chemicals had nowhere to go because there was no way to open a door and get in fresh air. That was HUGE for us. :(

_ original review from 2021?

This place holds a special place in our hearts. We have now stayed here three different times more recently & have enjoyed our experience every time. Great location, nice indoor pool and jacuzzi (although like many hotels- the jacuzzi and fitness room is closed during Covid19. The pool however is open by reservation), a wonderful restaurant downstairs that even offers free delivery to the room (and delicious ice cream with many choices that my kids especially love), pretty view from the balcony, clean lobby and rooms, helpful staff.

If you have a large truck or vehicle be aware that the parking spaces are VERY small. I find it stressful to park my mini van in many of the tight spots, especially the ones by the columns, but I know that is the case with many of the hotels trying to fit as many cars as possible and I am thankful that we have found a spot easily every time we come and go on all of our visits to this resort and the parking garage makes the spots close to the rooms/ elevators.

We like that our rooms have wood floors instead of carpets (each time we have stayed this year we have been in a similar room like this).

There are nice size tvs in the bedrooms and sitting areas and a fold out sleeper sofa in sitting area.

This trip we needed to call and ask for an extra bag of bedding for the pull out sofa bed (they said they are having them requested as needed now due to Covid). That wasn't a big deal; it just would have been nice if they had asked at check in as we were very tired by the time we realized it wasn't in the room. They brought it to us very quickly, which we appreciated.

My only real complaint with the room is that we can hear EVERYTHING the guests say in the sitting area of the room next door to us that shares an adjoining door (which means they can also hear us). The sound isn't through the walls as much as from the big gap under the door. We tried shoving a towel under the gap and against the door, which seemed to help muffle it at least a little, but I wish they had a seal under the doors better!!!

The full kitchen in the hallway, between the two rooms, is a little small, but has always met our needs... especially when we realized the microwave was also a convection oven. :)

We love being right across from Waterman's, another GREAT restaurant right on the beach. Between food we prep in the room and these two restaurants we are set if we don't want to go any further from our room! :)

We are also a part of the Holiday Lights on the Beach when staying here. We can see some from our balcony and see where the lights begin. Something nice when we have visited for a little get away during the winter holiday. :) We will certainly return would recommend...

I stayed here June 8 through the 10th. One night was booked through Airbnb and the other directly through the hotel when I decided to extend my stay. The first night was OK, which is why I decided to extend instead of having to move hotels,. I was double charged upon initially checking in Even after paying through Airbnb directly. I spoke with a front desk representative who advised they would resolve the issue. I checked back in the next day with a different representative, who seemed as if they were unaware of what was going on, but in resolving that issue. The second night , despite the fact that there were quiet hours clearly listed, noise from the room next to mine started at about 9 PM. While I understand, people are on vacation The noise was overwhelming. I waited until 12 AM to call the front desk to report noise that was so loud it sounded as if the individuals were in my room. I called back down at about 2 AM to advise. The noise was still ongoing. A member of the hotel staff finally came up after calling the second time, but were advised by the individuals that they did not care. Nothing additional was done. Upon checking out, I notified staff and provided them with videos of the excessive noise. I was advised by Judith Smith an employee, to forward the videos via email and that would be provided to the manager for a refund to be processed. I left only to receive a reply to my email that she was unable to view the video files. I turned around an hour and 17 mins into my return home to provide the videos in person. Judith Smith advised the videos were not needed other guest had complained and the refund would be issued. I called the following Friday after not receiving my refund to check the status and was advised the refund had been processed that Tuesday at 2 am. After again not receiving my refund June 16th I reached out only to be advised they were not aware of my situation, I reexplained the matter and advised how the resorts employee had advised I would be receiving a refund and other guest had also complained. I was told my information would be forwarded to a manager and they would call me. After not receiving a call I reached out again and spoke with Judith Smith. I was not accusatory and explained my frustration and that I was simply reaching out for a resolution. Judith Smith continued to yell she was not sure what I wanted her to do and that the information was forwarded to the manager June 16. I explained it was not a personal matter and that I initially reported the issue the day of check out. The resort employee continued to state she wasn’t sure what I wanted her to do, continued to raise her voice, speak over me and proceeded to hang up on me when I was simply trying to find a resolution for a problem she has up until this point provided misinformation, and disregarded a guest issue for well over a week.

Long story short. I would not recommend anyone staying here unless you enjoy listening to excessively loud music that seems to be coming from your own room, individuals screaming of illegally activity including explicit acts with a minor and so much more while the hotel staff...

This hotel is apparently under new management, and this visit was atrocious. We have stayed here before and not had the same issues. We stayed this past weekend- Sat to Sun.

First, I had called beforehand to ensure that the room was oceanside as that was not an option on the website. I was told I could be moved to an oceanside room for $50 extra. Ok fine, I said yes. At the same time, I had asked if there was a late checkout option as 10am was very early (we had an event in the area but not until 2pm). I was told absolutely, I could do late check out, for $25 more each hour- so if we check out at noon, it would be $50 more. She said to just let them know when we check in on Saturday night.

We checked in on Saturday at 4pm--- there are only 2 "lanes" to check in, then you have to go to another area to get parking pass, etc. Check in took at least 25 minutes, which was a problem because the lobby/check in area is basically attached to the pool area and it was OPPRESSIVELY hot and muggy in there...to the point that my asthma was starting to kick in and we were all dripping sweat. During check in, I said ok I want to do the late check out tomorrow morning. The person helping us said well are you part of the showcase (???). I was like well I don't know what that is so I guess not. The person said then no. No late check out. It's 10am. I was like....well....that sucks...so now we have 4 hours to kill after checkout before our event...that's not ideal. The person helping said well you get a grace period until 11am if that helps.

We went to the beach, which at least was close, and then to dinner, and by the time we got back the kids wanted to swim in the pool of course. We got dressed and went downstairs to go to the pool around 9p---and were stopped because it was "adult only" swim----from 9p-11p AND apparently 8am-10am!!!! After we were told that we were not allowed to swim, we went upstairs to play billiards at the pool table. One pool table was broken, and the pool tables cost $1.50 to play---who even has cash anymore though?? Especially coins?? So we had disappointed kids yet again!!! We gave up and decided to try the pool again in the morning so that they could swim for a few minutes at least (from 10am for 30 mins before we had to leave by 11am).

We got down to the pool at 10am- (why the pool isn't open to kids until check out time is still beyond me!) --and GUESS WHAT. The pool is now closed for cleaning!! WHAT in the world?! So yet again, we had super upset kids who just wanted to swim in a pool and never got to. We gave up and went back upstairs to get changed and check out. Before 11am, housekeeping was banging on the door to be let in.

Also included a picture of the stained towels that were in the room. So gross. I hope it's coffee.

I will absolutely not ever come back to this hotel again and will let anyone who asks me know my opinion on the new management! Thanks for trying to ruin...