If you’ve ever driven down Atlantic Avenue in the north end of Virginia Beach, you’ve seen it. That massive, seven-story brick fortress sitting on the hill like a king overlooking a kingdom. It’s The Cavalier in Virginia Beach VA, or as the locals call it, the "Grande Dame." Honestly, most people just see it as a fancy hotel where you go to spend way too much on a steak dinner or a wedding. But there is a lot more to this place than just expensive linens and a nice view of the ocean.
People think they know the history. They’ve heard the names. Ten U.S. Presidents have stayed here. Everyone from Calvin Coolidge to Jimmy Carter. F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda supposedly partied here, which makes sense because the whole place feels like a scene ripped out of The Great Gatsby. But the actual story of how this place survived—and what’s really going on inside those walls—is a lot weirder and more interesting than the brochure lets on.
The Saltwater Mystery and the Roof-Top Ice
Back in 1927, when the hotel first opened, it was the pinnacle of luxury. But luxury back then was... different. Basically, every room had a bathtub with an extra faucet. Why? Because the upper class was obsessed with "restorative" saltwater baths. The hotel literally pumped water directly from the Atlantic Ocean, up the hill, and into your tub. Imagine the plumbing nightmare that must have been.
They also had a specific tap in the sinks for ice water. It wasn't just a refrigerated line. There was a massive wooden tub on the roof that staff filled with actual blocks of ice every single day. If you were a guest, you were drinking roof-ice water. It's those little details that explain why people used to take a private train—the "Cavalier to the Cavalier"—non-stop from Chicago just to get here.
Why It Almost Became a Pile of Rubble
It’s kinda miracle the building is even standing. By 2012, the place was a mess. A massive family feud between the previous owners led to a court-ordered sale. Most developers wanted to tear it down and put up modern condos because, let's face it, that's where the easy money is. It took a $81 million renovation to save it. They had to hand-repair first-floor windows and basically rebuild the entire structure from the inside out.
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The coolest part of the rebuild? The Plunge.
That’s the legendary indoor saltwater pool. It’s 75 feet long and was once 13 feet deep. During World War II, when the Navy commandeered the hotel as a radar training school, they drained the pool and used it as a classroom. Today, it’s been restored, but they had to build a new pool inside the shell of the old one because the original concrete was so cracked it was basically a sieve. They even recreated the lion-head spigots that spray the water.
The Cavalier in Virginia Beach VA: More Than Just a Hotel
Most people don't realize that staying at the "Historic" side is only one part of the experience now. The whole area has been turned into a resort complex. You’ve got the Marriott and the Embassy Suites right across the street, but the soul of the place stays on the hill.
Spirits of the High-Proof Variety
You can't talk about The Cavalier without talking about Tarnished Truth Distilling Co. It is the first and only distillery located inside a hotel in the United States. It’s tucked away in the basement, and the smells of mash and oak are everywhere.
- The Bourbon: They make an "Old Cavalier" bourbon that’s aged in charred American white oak.
- The Vibe: It feels like a speakeasy. Because during Prohibition, it basically was one.
- The Experience: You can actually take a tour, see the stills, and then go have a flight.
It’s a bit ironic, isn't it? A place that hosted ten presidents also has a distillery named "Tarnished Truth" in the basement. It fits the personality of the hotel perfectly—elegant on the outside, but with a lot of secrets buried in the floorboards.
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Is the Sixth Floor Actually Haunted?
If you ask the staff, they’ll probably give you a "professional" answer. But if you talk to the locals, they’ll tell you about Adolph Coors. Yes, that Coors. In 1929, the beer magnate was staying in room 606. He "fell" to his death from the window. Some say it was an accident; others say he jumped.
Ever since then, the sixth floor has been the center of some pretty wild stories.
- Guests report hearing phantom jazz music when the ballrooms are empty.
- There’s a "ghost cat" that supposedly scratches at doors.
- People have seen a man in an old-fashioned bellhop uniform on the stairs who warns them about ghosts before vanishing.
Is it real? Who knows. But when you're walking those long, dim hallways at 2:00 AM after a few drinks at the Hunt Room, you’ll definitely be looking over your shoulder.
Where to Eat (And What to Order)
If you’re not staying the night, you’re probably there for the food. You have three main choices inside the historic building:
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- Becca: This is the fancy one. It’s "garden-to-table." They have their own massive garden on the grounds where they grow the herbs and veggies. If you go for brunch, get the crab cake benedict. It’s legit.
- The Hunt Room: This is the "rustic" tavern. It’s dark, wood-paneled, and has a massive fireplace. It’s the kind of place where you want to drink a heavy red wine and eat something that was hunted.
- The Raleigh Room: This is the social hub. It’s great for a cocktail or afternoon tea. It’s very "old South" but without being stuffy.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that the "New" Cavalier is just a replica. It's not. The developers kept as much of the original materials as humanly possible. The bricks? There are over 500,000 of them, the most ever used on a single building in Virginia at the time. The ornate plaster columns in the lobby were inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.
It’s also not just for the ultra-wealthy anymore. While a suite will definitely set you back, the public spaces are open. You can walk the grounds, visit the distillery, and grab a drink without being a guest. It’s a community landmark, not a gated fortress.
Practical Advice for Your Visit
If you are planning to check out The Cavalier in Virginia Beach VA, don't just show up and expect to wing it.
First, book your dinner reservations at Becca at least two weeks in advance, especially on weekends. It fills up fast. Second, if you’re a history nerd, ask the concierge if they have any booklets or maps of the historic features; they usually have some cool info on the specific presidents who stayed in specific rooms.
Also, don't miss the "Loggia." It’s the enclosed porch area. It has some of the best views of the Atlantic, and it's much quieter than the main lobby. It’s the perfect spot to just sit and realize that you’re sitting exactly where the Fitzgeralds likely sat nearly a century ago, watching the same waves.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Event Calendar: The hotel often hosts bourbon-pairing dinners and live jazz nights in the Raleigh Room.
- Book a Distillery Tour: Do this online before you arrive. The tours at Tarnished Truth are small and sell out daily.
- Visit the Beach Club: If you’re staying at the hotel, take the shuttle down to the private beach club. It’s a much more relaxed vibe than the public beaches at the 31st Street area.
- Explore the North End: After your visit, take a walk north from the hotel. The houses and the quiet beaches are a completely different world compared to the main boardwalk.
The Cavalier isn't just a place to sleep. It’s a survivor of the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, World War II, and a near-demolition in the 2010s. Whether you're there for the ghosts, the bourbon, or just a really good bed, you’re stepping into a piece of Virginia history that almost didn't make it to 2026.