You've probably seen the skyline. If you've ever walked the Virginia Beach boardwalk near the 12th Street entrance, you can't miss it. The Four Points by Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront stands there like a reliable anchor in a sea of neon-lit t-shirt shops and overpriced funnel cake stands. Honestly, picking a hotel at the beach is usually a gamble where you're either paying $500 a night for a "luxury" room that smells like damp carpet, or $150 for a place where you're afraid to touch the remote. This place sits in that weird, rare middle ground.
It’s not trying to be a five-star resort with white-glove service. It’s a Marriott property. You know what you’re getting. But there’s a specific reason why this particular tower—situated right at 1211 Atlantic Avenue—consistently fills up even when the newer, flashier Marriott at the north end is charging double. It’s about the view. Every single room here faces the water. No "partial ocean view" lies where you have to crane your neck 90 degrees off a balcony to see a sliver of blue. You open the curtains, and the Atlantic is just... there.
The Reality of Staying at 12th Street
Location is everything in Virginia Beach. If you stay too far north, you're hiking a mile just to find a slice of pizza. Stay too far south near the inlet, and you’re stuck in the "quiet zone" where the energy feels a bit muted. The Four Points by Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront hits that sweet spot. It’s close enough to the 17th Street stage that you can hear the concerts for free if the wind is blowing the right way, but far enough that you aren't vibrating from the bass when you’re trying to sleep.
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The building itself has a bit of history. It isn't a brand-new glass monolith. You can tell it’s been around the block, but that also means the walls are thicker than some of the newer "budget luxury" spots popping up.
Walking into the lobby, you get that classic Marriott scent—clean, slightly citrusy. It’s a relief after breathing in humid salt air all day. The staff here usually look like they’ve seen it all, especially during the Neptune Festival or when the East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC) are in town. They are efficient. They have to be. This is one of the busiest stretches of sand on the East Coast.
What the Rooms are Actually Like
Let’s be real about hotel rooms. We all check for bedbugs and then we check the bathroom. The rooms at the Four Points are surprisingly spacious. Because it’s an older layout, you aren't tripping over your suitcase.
Most rooms come with two queen beds or a king. They have those signature "Four Comfort" beds which are basically just big, fluffy clouds that make it nearly impossible to wake up for the sunrise. But you should. Watching the sun come up over the Atlantic from a 10th-floor balcony here is basically therapy.
- There’s a microwave. Huge for leftovers.
- The mini-fridge actually gets cold.
- The Wi-Fi is fast enough to stream Netflix, which is a low bar most hotels still fail to clear.
- Balconies are private-ish, though you can definitely hear your neighbor's conversation if they're loud.
One thing that people get wrong is thinking "Oceanfront" means "Beachfront." At this property, they are the same thing. You walk out the back door, cross the boardwalk, and your toes are in the sand. There is no street to cross. That is a massive deal if you have kids or are lugging a cooler.
Eating and Drinking Without Leaving the Property
If you don’t feel like fighting the crowds at Waterman's or Orange Crush-ing your way through Chix, the hotel has its own spot: Jumpin' Shrimp.
Look, hotel restaurants are usually a trap. Jumpin' Shrimp is actually decent. It’s casual. You can wear your flip-flops. They do a coconut shrimp that’s probably better than it has any right to be. They also have a solid breakfast buffet. It’s not free—don't let the "Four Points" name fool you into thinking it’s a Fairfield Inn—but it’s convenient.
One "insider" tip? If the restaurant is slammed, just walk a block inland. There are local spots like Doc Taylor’s (breakfast) or Tabbie’s that offer a more "local" vibe if the hotel scene feels too corporate. But for a sunset drink? The outdoor seating at the hotel is hard to beat.
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The Indoor Pool Dilemma
Virginia Beach weather is bipolar. It can be 80 degrees and sunny at noon and a tropical depression by 4 PM. This is where the indoor pool at the Four Points by Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront becomes the most popular place on earth.
It’s heated. It’s clean. It’s loud. If you’re traveling without kids, you might find it a bit chaotic during a rainstorm. But if you have kids, that pool is your literal savior. There’s also a fitness center, which is fine. It’s got a couple of treadmills and some weights. It’s the kind of gym you use to justify the three tacos you ate for lunch.
Parking: The Great Atlantic Avenue Headache
Parking in Virginia Beach is a nightmare. It’s a literal maze of overpriced garages and "Permit Only" zones.
The Four Points offers on-site parking. Usually, it's one car per room. Don't try to bring your extended cab dually truck and expect it to fit comfortably in a beach garage; these spots were designed for 1990s sedans. But having a guaranteed spot that is attached to the building is a luxury you won’t appreciate until you see people circling the block for 45 minutes on a Saturday night in July.
Is It Worth the Points?
If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member, this is a solid redemption. It’s often a Category 5 or 6 equivalent (back when categories were a simple thing). You get good value because the cash rates during peak summer can spike to $400+ a night.
Is it a "luxury" stay? No.
Is it a high-quality, dependable, right-in-the-thick-of-it stay? Absolutely.
You’re paying for the convenience of being able to walk to the 11th Street playground, the 14th Street pier, and about fifty different bars without ever needing an Uber.
Surprising Details You Might Miss
Most guests don't realize the hotel has significant meeting space. It’s a popular spot for small weddings or corporate retreats because, well, the backdrop is the ocean. If you see a bunch of people in suits in the lobby, that's why.
Also, the "Best Brews" program is a thing here. They usually have a local craft beer on tap at the bar. Virginia Beach has a massive brewery scene (think Smartmouth or Commonwealth), and the hotel tries to cycle some of that in. It’s a nice touch that makes a global brand feel a bit more like Virginia.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
To get the most out of a stay at the Four Points by Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, you have to play the system a bit. Don't just show up and hope for the best.
- Request a high floor: The noise from the boardwalk (street performers, bike rentals, the occasional siren) fades significantly once you get above the 6th floor.
- Check the event calendar: If the North American Sand Soccer Championships are happening, the hotel will be packed with teenagers. If you want a quiet getaway, check the city's tourism calendar first.
- The "Secret" Coffee: There is a Starbucks right down the street, but the line is always thirty people deep. The hotel coffee in the lobby is actually drinkable and saves you 20 minutes of standing in the sun.
- Walk North for Dining: The restaurants immediately surrounding the hotel are very "tourist-focused." Walk 10-15 blocks north towards the 20s and 30s for more upscale, chef-driven dining.
- Bike Rentals: There are rental stations right outside. Take the bike path. Do not try to walk the bike path. You will get run over by a four-person surrey. Stay on the walking side.
The reality is that Virginia Beach is a high-energy, salt-crusted, vibrant place. The Four Points isn't trying to shield you from that energy; it puts you right in the middle of it. It’s a place for people who want to spend their time on the sand and their nights listening to the waves, without worrying about whether their hotel room is going to be a disaster. It’s consistent. In a beach town, consistency is a premium.
Plan your trip for mid-week if you want to save money, but if you're there for the chaos of a summer weekend, just embrace it. Grab a drink at the bar, take your shoes off, and remember why you came to the ocean in the first place.