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The Diplomat Inn Oceanfront: Traveler Reviews


3305 Atlantic Avenue, Oceanfront at 33rd Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Property Type: Hotel
  • Lodging offering guest rooms, a 24-hour front desk and a variety of services and amenities.
Description: Modern oceanfront low-rise - 33rd Street & Oceanfront, in the N end of resort area of Va Beach. This description is based on information provided by the hotel.

TripAdvisor Traveler Reviews

Reviews of The Diplomat Inn Oceanfront

( 8-12 of 26 )
“Last chance before it's gone...”

The Diplomat Inn Oceanfront

3 of 5 stars
Washington, D.C.
Jul 1, 2007
2/2 found this review helpful

As some reviewers have noted, this hotel will be torn down after the 2007 season to make way for new timeshares. We were a little unsure of what to expect as the reviews were so mixed, however the low price and features for a beach front room were what sold us on it. That, plus the fact that for just about every hotel there is a mixture of good and bad reviews, and this looked no worse than many and better than some.

We were pleasantly surprised, and enjoyed our stay immensely. Yes, it is getting old. Yes, the elevator is slightly larger than a tuna can, but there are only about 35 rooms so it was seldom a wait...when it was, four flights of stairs were okay as an alternate. Yes, the amenities are rather lacking. But on the whole, it was clean, the staff was courteous, the kids loved the easy access to the beach (go around the pool and through the bushes to avoid the smelly trash cans in the small alley), and we really had no complaint for saving a couple of hundred dollars over similar places in our 5 day stay. The micro efficiency has a 3/4 size refrigerator, microwave, sink and reasonable cabinet space, so we were able to save on meals out. Bring your own paper plates and plastic ware, as well as coffee and filters.

We had an end room and felt comfortable occasionally propping the door open slightly and got a very lovely cross breeze from the windows in the corridor so could turn off the noisy A/C for a while.
Overall we were very happy and given the chance, would stay there again. We found it not nearly so bad as some reviewers had noted. Enjoy it while it lasts!

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — Location
    • Disliked — Getting old and worn out; small elevator; lack of amenities
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Beachgrrl2's Summary
Date of Stay: June 2007
Traveled with: Family with teenagers
Age group: 35-49
Member since: July 01, 2007
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
    • 1 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, People with disabilities, Great pool scene, Pet owners
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun
Was this review helpful? Yes No
“dump”

The Diplomat Inn Oceanfront

2 of 5 stars
dontcare1
Oct 9, 2006
1/2 found this review helpful

It was understandable to pay $91+ for this hotel room this time of year due to a large soccer tournament. However, for this price I would have expected: 1) alarm clock or any type of time device 2) working heat 3)small bottle of condiment shampoo 4)mattress and blankets have been changed out within the last 15 years 4)coffee maker that was advertised as an aminity in the room 5) remote control for tv. In my opinion this hotel needs complete renovation. Oh, by the way it is not wheelchair accessible unless you are able to push up a 90 degree incline when you get through the front door!!!

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
dontcare1's Summary
Date of Stay: October 2006
Traveled with: Large group or tour
Visit was for: Hobbies / interest / culture
Age group: 35-49
Member since: October 09, 2006
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
no way!
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun
Was this review helpful? Yes No
“i'd rate this hotel worst in customer service!”

The Diplomat Inn Oceanfront

2 of 5 stars
massachusetts
Jul 25, 2006
2/3 found this review helpful

i'll tell you, the room was ok. mini fridge for drinks, great view of the beach, your basic balcony. i am so happy, though, that the only time i ever spent in there was sleeping. there was a discrepancy between my payment and the amount they took from my account, clearly in their favor. it turned out to be a misunderstanding on both of our parts, but i have never been treated with so little respect over the phone as i was with the diplomat. i was talked down to, interrupted, and ignored. in other words, theirs was the worst customer service i have ever dealt with. i do not tolerate rudeness, and you shouldn't have to either. take my word for it, spend the extra money and stay in a nicer hotel, maybe one whose employees know the meaning of manners!

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — the view of the beach
    • Disliked — the lack of customer service
    • Tips/Secrets: — keep your ears and eyes open.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
friggitfrey's Summary
Date of Stay: July 2006
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Quality time with family
Age group: 18-24
Member since: July 25, 2006
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
no way!
I recommend this hotel for:
Families with young children
I do not recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun, Outdoor / Adventure, Great food / Wine, Shopping
Was this review helpful? Yes No
“Very good for the price!”

The Diplomat Inn Oceanfront

3 of 5 stars
New Jersey
Jul 10, 2006
1/1 found this review helpful

I stayed at the Oceanfront Inn on the boardwalk from July 1st thru July 5th. I've stayed at this hotel on several occasions (last time was July, 2002). The last time I stayed there the hotel was definately need of a renovation. So here it is 4 years later and I wanted to go back to VA Beach with my family without paying those astronomical hotel fees; so I took a gamble on returning to the Oceanfront Inn. I was pleasantly surprised with what I saw! The outside of the hotel looks like it was recently painted. The bathroom had new sinks and everything looked very decent. Now this hotel is by no means a Marriott or a Hilton, but it is very decent if you just want to spend a few days at the beach with the family.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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“Loved the beach.....”

The Diplomat Inn Oceanfront

Jun 15, 2006
1/2 found this review helpful

My husband and I stayed there with our grand-daughter for 4 nights.
The hotel was clean, had a great view, with a nice size balcony.
Management and house-keeping staff friendly and polite.
Hotel does need some repairs done to it. Beds are not too comfortable.
Bathrooms very clean but do need up dated. Looks like no remodeling has been done in sometime. Elevators are very small. But for the price, it is a decent place to stay.
Would we stay there again, no.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Browneyez's Summary
Date of Stay: June 2006
Member since: June 15, 2006
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles
I do not recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Families with teenagers, Tourists
Was this review helpful? Yes No

Reviews of The Diplomat Inn Oceanfront

( 8-12 of 26 )
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The Diplomat Inn Oceanfront Address

3305 Atlantic Avenue, Oceanfront at 33rd Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451