Finding a place to crash near Petersburg or Fort Gregg-Adams (the old Fort Lee) usually leaves you with two choices: a sketchy roadside motel or a generic chain that smells like stale carpet. That’s why the Delta Hotels Colonial Heights catches people off guard. It's essentially the "grown-up" version of a Marriott, stripping away the fluff nobody uses—like those overpriced tiny shampoos or ornate lobbies you never sit in—and focusing on stuff that actually matters. You want fast Wi-Fi and a bed that doesn't feel like a slab of granite.
It's located right off I-95. That's both a blessing and a curse.
Honesty time: Colonial Heights isn't exactly a vacation destination. It’s a logistics hub. People stay here because they’re visiting the Army base, doing business with the nearby Amazon fulfillment center, or they’re halfway through a grueling drive to the Outer Banks and can’t look at another highway mile. Because the Delta Hotels Colonial Heights sits in such a high-traffic corridor, expectations fluctuate wildly. Some people expect a five-star resort experience; others just hope the sheets are clean. The reality lives somewhere in the middle, and if you know how to navigate the quirks of this specific property, you’ll have a much better time.
What the Marriott Rebrand Actually Changed
This building wasn't always a Delta. It used to be a Hilton, and if you look closely at the architecture—especially that expansive atrium—you can still see the bones of that 1980s/90s grandeur. When Marriott took over and converted it to the Delta brand, the goal was "streamlined travel."
What does that look like?
It means the rooms got a facelift. You’ll see a lot of gray tones, clean lines, and very specific lighting. They moved away from the heavy, dust-collecting curtains and went with sleeker roller shades. One of the best things they kept, though, is the sheer size of the rooms. Because this was built back when square footage was cheaper, the rooms are noticeably larger than what you’d find in a brand-new construction Fairfield or Hampton Inn down the street.
The "Delta Pantry" Perk
If you have Marriott Bonvoy Elite status (specifically Platinum or higher), the "Pantry" is basically your best friend here. Instead of a cramped lounge with a sad bowl of apples, it’s a walk-in closet of snacks, sodas, and breakfast items. Even if you don’t have status, you can sometimes pay for access, but frankly, just walk across the parking lot to the Starbucks if you’re paying out of pocket.
The Fort Gregg-Adams Connection
You cannot talk about the Delta Hotels Colonial Heights without talking about the military. The hotel is roughly five miles from the main gate of Fort Gregg-Adams. If you are coming in for a graduation, a Change of Command, or a long-term TDY (Temporary Duty), this is widely considered the "nice" place to stay.
Why?
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Because the on-post lodging is often full or, let’s be real, a bit depressing. This hotel specifically caters to military families. They understand the paperwork. They understand the stress of a PCS (Permanent Change of Station). If you’re a military spouse trying to wrangle three kids and a golden retriever while your partner is in training, the staff here usually shows a bit more grace than the average corporate desk clerk.
However, be warned: graduation weekends are chaos. If there’s a massive ceremony at the base, this hotel will be packed to the rafters. The elevators will be slow. The breakfast area will look like a scene from a disaster movie. Check the base calendar before you book. If you’re just a business traveler looking for peace and quiet, and you happen to book during a major Army graduation weekend, you’re going to have a bad time.
The Food Situation: Expectation vs. Reality
Delta Hotels usually features a signature restaurant, and here it’s the Solstice Bar & Grille.
It's... fine.
Look, it’s a hotel restaurant in suburban Virginia. You’re going to get a decent burger. The wings are surprisingly okay. But you’re staying in Colonial Heights, which is basically the chain restaurant capital of the world. Within a three-minute drive, you have every possible option from Texas Roadhouse to Olive Garden.
If you want something that isn't a massive corporate chain, you have to drive about ten minutes south into Old Towne Petersburg. That’s where the actual "foodie" stuff is. Go to Saucy’s BBQ—it’s in an old shipping container. It looks like nothing, but the ribs will change your life. Or hit up Trapezium Brewing Co. for a wood-fired pizza. Staying at the Delta and only eating at the hotel is a rookie mistake. Use the hotel for the bed; use the neighborhood for the calories.
Let’s Talk About the Noise
This is the part that most "official" reviews won't tell you. The Delta Hotels Colonial Heights is literally sandwiched between I-95 and the Boulevard.
It is loud.
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If you are a light sleeper, you absolutely must request a room that faces away from the highway. Even with the heavy-duty windows Marriott installed during the renovation, the low-frequency hum of tractor-trailers is a constant presence on the east side of the building.
Also, the atrium design is cool to look at, but sound travels straight up. If there’s a wedding reception or a loud group in the lobby bar, you’re going to hear that "muffled party" sound in your room until they shut down for the night. Bring a white noise machine or use a fan app on your phone. Trust me.
The Indoor Pool and Fitness Center
One legitimate "win" for this property is the fitness center. Most hotels give you a treadmill from 2004 and a single set of dumbbells that stop at 25 pounds. The gym at the Delta is actually functional. It’s got updated LifeFitness equipment and enough space that you aren't bumping elbows with the guy next to you.
The pool is indoors and heated. Kids love it. If you’re a lap swimmer, it’s a bit small for a real workout, but for a quick dip to exhaust the children before bed, it does the trick. Just keep in mind that the humidity from the pool area can sometimes make the lobby feel a bit "tropical" in the middle of a Virginia summer.
Common Misconceptions About the Area
A lot of people book the Delta Hotels Colonial Heights thinking they are "close to Richmond."
Sorta.
You are about 25 to 30 minutes south of downtown Richmond, assuming I-95 isn't a parking lot. If you have a meeting at the State Capitol or you’re trying to visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, you are better off staying in the city. Colonial Heights is its own beast. It's a shopping destination. The Southpark Mall is right there. If you need to buy a lawnmower, a new wardrobe, and a crate of bulk paper towels, you are in the perfect spot. If you’re looking for cobblestone streets and historic monuments, you’ve got a drive ahead of you.
Safety and Security
People often ask if the area is safe. Colonial Heights is generally very safe, though the sprawl can feel a bit gritty in certain pockets. The hotel parking lot is well-lit and usually has a security patrol at night, mainly because there are so many contractors and military personnel staying there with expensive gear in their trucks. I’ve never felt uneasy walking from my car at 11:00 PM.
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Technical Details for the Modern Traveler
- Parking: It’s free. In a world where hotels are starting to charge $25 a night just to park in a surface lot, this is a huge plus.
- Charging: There are EV charging stations nearby, but don't count on the hotel having a dedicated Tesla Supercharger right at the front door yet.
- Connectivity: The Wi-Fi is tiered. If you’re a Bonvoy member, you get the "enhanced" speed. It’s fast enough for a Zoom call or streaming Netflix without that annoying buffering circle of death.
- Check-in: The mobile key usually works here. If you hate talking to people after a long flight, you can go straight to your room.
Is it worth the price?
Prices at the Delta Hotels Colonial Heights can swing wildly. On a random Tuesday in February, you might snag a room for $130. During a peak graduation weekend or a local sporting event, it can skyrocket to $250+.
At $150, it’s a steal compared to the tired Courtyard or the cramped Holiday Inn Express nearby. At $250, you’re starting to pay "city prices" for a suburban experience, and that’s a tougher pill to swallow.
The staff here is the real X-factor. Because it’s a smaller market than DC or Richmond, the turnover isn't quite as high. You’ll see the same faces at the front desk. They know the area. They know which Waffle House is the "good" one (it’s the one on Temple Avenue, by the way).
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
If you’ve decided to book, here is how you maximize the experience:
First, join Marriott Bonvoy before you arrive. Even the lowest tier gets you better Wi-Fi and helps with room assignments. It costs nothing and saves you from getting the "leftover" room next to the ice machine.
Second, request a high floor, non-highway side. Specifically, ask for a room facing West. You’ll get a view of the sunset over the suburban canopy rather than the headlights of a Peterbilt.
Third, skip the hotel breakfast if it's not included in your rate. There’s a First Watch just down the road that serves actual food rather than lukewarm powdered eggs.
Fourth, use the "Chat" feature in the Marriott app. If you need extra towels or a late checkout, the staff at this location is surprisingly responsive to the app chat. It’s much faster than calling the front desk and waiting for someone to pick up.
The Delta Hotels Colonial Heights isn't going to win any architectural awards or be featured in Architectural Digest. It’s a workhorse hotel. It’s built for the person who has a job to do or a destination to reach. It provides a level of predictable comfort that is increasingly hard to find in the mid-range hotel market. If you go in knowing that it’s a renovated classic with a bit of highway noise and a great gym, you’ll find it’s one of the best options in the Tri-Cities area.