Best Western Center Inn

With rooms in this two-story building entered from the outside and an outdoor pool sitting right in front of the parking lot, the
Best Western Center Inn has the look of a motor lodge. Overall, this is a simple hotel with some homey touches that add a little bit of charm. The small lobby has plenty of chairs and couches along its walls for guests waiting to check in. There's also a drink station and a couple of computer stations set atop wooden cabinets. A wall of windows provides plenty of natural light. Like most value hotels in the area, most guests are short-term travelers using the hotel as a reasonably priced base for reaching the beaches or passing through on business.

This hotel is located along busy Northampton Road, and while it bills itself as a Virginia Beach Hotel, don't be fooled: This hotel is far closer to Norfolk International Airport than the area's sandy shores. Still, plenty of guests stay here as an alternative to staying directly near the ocean. The surrounding area is dominated by strip malls and fast-food chains -- in other words, it's typically suburban. There are two
sports grills within a five-minute walk of the hotel and the hotel is surrounded by similar value properties. It's a 10-minute drive to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, 15 to 20 minutes to most of the local military bases, and 20 minutes to the Virginia Zoological Park. It will take 20 to 25 minutes to reach the beaches by car. Norfolk International Airport is a 10-minute drive from the hotel.

The 59 rooms at the Best Western Center Inn are entered from the outside. Furniture is light oak with granite surfaces, and wall art is generally composed of soft landscapes. All rooms have mini-fridges, coffeemakers, microwaves, safes, ironing facilities, safes, large flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. They are spacious, with comfortable beds (two
queens or one king in each room) and individually controlled air-conditioning. The rooms' only windows face the parking lot and
exterior walkways, making it difficult to leave the curtains open and have any privacy, and rooms can pick up noise from guests coming and going. A sink and granite counter with a lit mirror are outside the bathrooms, which have shower/tub combos and basic toiletries. We did notice an overpowering smell of air freshener in the rooms when we visited the hotel.

The Best Western Center Inn has a seasonal outdoor pool and and a small fitness center with cardio equipment. Two computers are in the lobby for guests' use, and a continental breakfast buffet with
waffles is included in the room rate. Outdoor parking and Wi-Fi are free. Non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, and travel necessities can be purchased in the lobby.