Run the World: Virginia Beach Edition
Original Post Date: June 15, 2023
We’re kicking off summer with a brand new series called “Run The World”. Come along as venture around the globe. This travel series will give you some insight into what to do in various cities. Cause what do they say… Catch flights not feelings.
Where to Stay
I love being able to stay at new hotel properties and witness exciting curation ideas. This property is surrounded by a few other hotels and leaves you only a hop, skip, and jump away from the ocean. With our oceanview suite, I heard the waves crash as I woke up and drifted to sleep. The room was identical to other embassy suite rooms but included modern upgrades. If salt water isn’t your vibe this property has 2 pools. One that's adjacent to the ocean or an indoor option. And what's better than 2 pools, oh one with food and bar options nearby?
Now if you’re familiar with the Embassy Suites, then you know people love their complimentary breakfast. I’m typically a fan, but I could’ve seen some improvements this go around. I enjoyed the buffet items, but wish there were bigger portion sizes for their omelets and pancakes.
Outside of the complimentary breakfast, the property offers a Mexican restaurant, Tacos N' Tequila, which is accessible from the pool and beach. Sit at the bar or pick a picnic table to enjoy some flavorful street or more traditional tacos. I enjoyed the chicken tacos with rice and beans. I’d give it a solid 8/10. If you just want a quick bite, they also serve chips with salsa and guac, as well as drinks, to enjoy poolside.
All in all, I'd highly recommend this hotel. It exceeded all of my expectations in the areas of comfort, aesthetics, and service.
What to Do
When I heard that Virginia Beach had a botanical garden, nearby, I knew I had to visit. This activity was only $16/per person. This place is a flower lover's dream. The Norfolk botanical garden has 155 acres of various garden. Some are native to America, while we also get a glimpse into the landscape of other countries. We spent an hour and a half exploring but you surely need more time to cover every area. If you’re looking for a photo - op, this is the place to go.
I’m a big fan of informational and interactive activities. We headed to the Virginia Aquarium and explored the basic offerings. Now this location does provide more in-depth and interactive activities, like boat tours. Despite this, we could touch sting rays and some of the reptiles, with the basic admission fee ($30/ per adult). As we walked through there was not only information on the animals they featured, but general marine life information. I appreciated that they acknowledged the effects of ocean exploration and climate change. I believe that this is a crucial element when discussing water animals. The adult pricing was $30/ per person. This surely wasn’t a rip-off, but I would’ve expected pricing closer to $20/ per person.
Where to Eat
Bojangles
Now while this one isn’t exclusive to Norfolk/Virginia Beach, I was happy that I got to taste it. I ordered a #12 with fries and cajun pintos. I have one word to describe Bojangles chicken…JUICY. The chicken was oh-so-tender with the perfect crunchy exterior. And their hot sauce agreed with my taste buds. Now I could have done without the fries but the cajun pintos were great. Bold flavor with a great sweet touch. Last but not least, the biscuit. Flaky and thick, but not enough to leave my mouth dry. And not to mention a great foundation for the remnants of my pinto beans. I think Popeyes may have found its replacement in my choice of fast-food fried chicken.
I’ll be honest… I was skeptical of this pick. While it was highly recommended on TikTok, our concierge was unaware of it. Let me say they need to put it on their radar. Both of the dishes we ordered were delicious. The dish I chose was a cut of flounder (a chef's special) coated in a piccata sauce, with asparagus and mashed potatoes on the side. My squeaky clean plate speaks a thousand words. The fish was flaky and flavorful and the sides were the perfect compliment. The restaurant is located right off the beach which makes it the perfect dinner spot. The interior features bright decor and greenery to uphold the beach them. Our waiter was very attentive and made amazing recommendations. This restaurant is a perfect way to end your evening.
We visited the rooftop in the late afternoon. It wasn’t crowded and the staff was very attentive. The restaurant has classic Asian cuisine with a modern twist. I had the pork belly ramen, while my mom tried out their chicken pad thai(you know I tried both). I’d give both pastas dishes a 10/10. The pad thai was different than any that I tasted. The pork belly was cooked to perfection in the ramen. I wasn’t a fan of the soft-boiled eggs featured in the ramen, I would’ve preferred a runnier preparation to ensure the creamy effects. As far as the ambiance, I think that it's the perfect lunch spot, especially since they offer outdoor seating that looks out directly to the ocean.
Now yall, I have to be honest I expected better from this pick. We headed to Tupelo Honey in hopes of enjoying some great southern food. I’d have to give this restaurant a 6/10. I ordered the shrimp and grits, which were decent but didn’t give me the typical cajun flavor that I expected. I got to taste their macaroni and cheese, as well as the fried chicken, but I was not a fan. The noodles in the macaroni and cheese were ok but I was turned off by the breadcrumb topping. As for the chicken, it was fried well but lacked flavoring. Despite the entrees, I will say Tupelo does offer some tasty appetizers.
I hope y’all enjoyed my first travel diary, and I can’t wait to share more as I experience new places.
With love,
Allie
