Better than higher priced hotels
by TripAdvisor Member KJEAS
We just returned from a visit to the Sandcastle and were very pleasantly surprised! This is our 5th year in a row to Va. Beach, and we have not had much luck with other oceanfront hotels until now. For less money, we received more at the Sandcastle!
Some of the fancier hotels do not offer in-room safes, which we prefer over taking our stuff to the lobby safe. The location was perfect and maid service excellent. The microwave and fridge were constantly used. Having free drinks available is a nice touch, and getting free continental breakfast was the deciding factor to stay there-so much easier than going out or eating in the room. But it does get crowded and they do need more toasters-a simple rearrangement of counters would help significantly, but if you go before 8:30 it's not too bad. The menu does not change, but with a variety of muffins, danish, bagels, toast and cereal, we were satisfied over the course of 4 mornings. Again, getting the same in a restaurant could set a family back over $20!
We had a room at the end of the hall, in its own cul-de-sac, and contrary to what other reviewers have stated, ours was much larger than we've had at other, more expensive hotels. Because nothing is on either side of these rooms, there is a good deal of space in the bath and entryway.
Two items worth mentioning-first, take your own shampoo, lotion, etc. as these amenities are not provided. Second-the staff is really good about taking action with problems. On our last night there, I had to call the front desk because the guests above me were still blaring their TV at 1 AM. Within minutes, there was no more noise and we were able to sleep.
We will be staying at the Sandbridge again!
OK, but not great
by A TripAdvisor Member
We just returned from a 4 night stay at the Sandcastle. While the location is great,, this place needs remodeling and more than the comforters and carpet that were recently re-done. Our carpet was wet by the balcony door from rain that had seeped in. It rained our last night there and there were leaks in the hallway (6th floor). The parking garage looked like a water ride. Beware mini van owners - don't attemp the parking garage with a carry all on top- ours got ripped in the process. The phone smelled of tar in our "no smoking" room. The indoor pool looks coverted from an outdoor pool and was moldy and slimy. We never did see the bottom of the pool. The "included" breakfast was donuts, muffins and danish served in a depressing little room with missing ceiling tiles. The restaurants were so-so with leaks as well. The elevators reaked of motor oil or something petroleum based. Spend a few extra bucks and go to the Courtyard by Marriott up the street!
Great Off Season Deal!
by A TripAdvisor Member
We vacation at east coast beaches extensivly during the off season. The Sancasstle is one of the best values we hace found if you can stay during the week. We paid $89 for Saturday and $35 for the rest of the week for a great 5th floor ocean view. Print the coupon from RoomSaver. Unlike most places they actually honored the coupon rather than telling us "We have no more rooms at that price". On top of that the room is cleaner and nicer than most beachfront properties we have stayed at. Bonus -they have an indoor pool. The staff was pleasant and the continental breakfast was much more than just coffee and a doughnut. We will definatly be going back.
Stay Away!!!
by A TripAdvisor Member
What a dump. I asked for a smoking room when I made the reservations, and did not get it. When I asked to change rooms, the staff told me that they were all booked up. Now this was in January. There was probably 5 people in the hotel. Also the heated pool is not heated, and there is no hot tub, I would of called it a room-temperature tub. The staff was horrible too. The room smelled funny and the furniture was all beat up. My room was right by the service elevator, so we were awaken all through out the night. I will never go back.
Not a 'Resort Hotel'
by TripAdvisor Member bighairproductions
My husband made reservations for a few days in early February for our anniversary at the Sandcastle because he wanted an "oceanfront" room. The Sandcastle advertises itself as a "resort hotel", but does not have the amenities to make it such. Is is fairly worn and really needs some updating, but was basically clean. The worst part was the "expanded complimentary continental breakfast". The eating area was extemely spartan and not very pleasing to eat in or look at. The food area was not well stocked and most of it was stale. There was no one there attending to it to make sure things got cleaned up, restocked, etc. We passed on the breakfast the next morning and went out to eat at Mary's--a locals place--where we got an excellent breakfast for $2.50. The Sandcastle would do better to skip their breakfast offering or offer fewer things of better quality that are fresh. (We stayed at the Virginia Beach Comfort Inn for 4 days during the summer. Their facilities and complimentary breakfast, were excellent and the rate was very reasonable.) In summary, the Sandcastle bills itself as much more than it is....not a "good value".
Save your money, stay somewhere else
by A TripAdvisor Member
What were the rest of the people who wrote reviews thinking? This place is a dump. It stinks like cigarettes. The maid service is awful - only made one of our two beds. They never replaced our dirty towels, and the management chose to simply defend all that was wrong with our service and the bill, which wrong of course as well. We'll be taking that up with American Express. I don't think I will ever return to VA Beach, let alone this hotel. I have to say it again - save your money, this place is a dump!
What a dump.
by A TripAdvisor Member
My wife and I booked a room for 7 nights. Well the place was such a dump we stayed only one night. The T.V. appeared to be from the 1960's and the picture was terrible. There were ceiling tiles missing above the tub in the bathroom which exposed the wiring. We thought better of it to try showering. The very night we checked in we were so disappointed that we strolled down the boardwalk and found another hotel....Best Western Oceanfront. The staff at the Sandcastle were very rude when we told them we wanted a refund and why we were checking out. By all means avoid this place!!!!!! Should be condemned.
You got your money's worth
by A TripAdvisor Member
After reading some of the reviews, I would have to disagree about the staff being rude and cleanliness. It was raining and cold so we werent able to go to the beach much, so the staff really helped us in telling what we could do while being with kids. The rooms were clean, and the housekeeping people were friendly. We had an oceanfront room, yes there are some aspects of the hotels that need updating but honestly how long are you staying in the hotel, your mostly out. During breakfast, there was an attendent always there, twice there were 2. She was replenshing the buffet, and it was fresh. i would defintly go again. Yes the pool temperature wasnt as warm as we had thought but it wasn't too bad. Will defintly go again.
Great location but hotel is dated and just OK
by A TripAdvisor Member
The hotel is at a great location but it is dated and needs to be remodeled
and brought up to date. The pool is rather small and there is not a hot
tub. The front desk employees could not get our bill straight. I would
give thumbs up to the front restaurant for their seafood and the bar was
a nice place to hang out in the evening. The gift shop that has the parrot needs to keep longer hours for the travellers. I will not be back to this hotel
or to VA BEach. Seems to be too much riff raff!!!! The west coast is where it is at!!
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