Opened in 1984, The Breakers Resort Inn in Virginia Beach, Va., is what many consider a traditional beach hotel. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the hotel is small, with just 56 guestrooms, but it provides everything a family needs during a beach vacation: quick access to the beach, balconies with views and fresh air, and kitchenettes so you can grab a quick sandwich before heading back for more fun in the sun. The hotel is ideally located, with quick access to a variety of restaurants, attractions and entertainment. The city’s famous boardwalk also runs right behind the hotel, which opens up yet another avenue for guests to explore the area.

The Breakers Resort Inn contains 56 guestrooms, including 15 one-bedroom suites. All guestrooms feature balconies and overlook the beach and ocean. In the Standard guestroom, you'll find two queen beds, a seating area, a refrigerator, a microwave and a coffeemaker. These rooms accommodate up to four people. All King Rooms come with a king bed, an in-room Jacuzzi tub, seating area, refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker. Maximum occupancy for these rooms is two people.

For more space, consider a Two-Room Suite for up to six people, which includes a living room with a loveseat, dining table and chairs, and a pull-down double bed; a studio kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, toaster and a two-burner cooktop; and a separate bedroom with two queen beds. For four or less guests, the King Suite is comprised of a bedroom with a king bed and an in-room Jacuzzi tub; a living room with a couch, a pull-down double bed and a dining table and chairs; and a studio kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, toaster and a two-burner cooktop.

In the Penthouse Suite, which accommodates up to four guests, you'll find two bedrooms, each with a queen bed, plus one bedroom with an in-room Jacuzzi tub; two full bathrooms; a living room; a studio kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, toaster and a two-burner cooktop; and a rooftop deck.

Although the guestrooms are comfortable, they do look a bit tired. If you have a room with a studio kitchen and plan to cook often, be sure to bring along any utensils and cookware you definitely want. The kitchens are sparsely stocked, and there's not much in the way of dishes, cooking utensils, pots and pans. Also, there are no dishwashers, so plan to wash and dry whatever you use in the small sinks.

In the bathrooms, the towels are small and thin, so plan accordingly if you prefer something heavier. Likewise, the hotel does not provide towels for the pool or beach, so you will need to bring your own beach towels. One glaring oversight is the lack of a retractable clothesline in the shower. As such, there's not much room for hanging up towels, swimsuits and other items to air dry.

Given the size of the hotel, it's not surprising that there is only one guest elevator. However, that elevator does not move with much speed, so be prepared to wait for it, especially if the hotel is at full capacity, and especially on high-volume check-in/check-out days, such as Sunday. The hotel also contains a very small complimentary parking deck, which accommodates just one vehicle per guestroom. If you have more than one vehicle, the hotel does have an adjacent overflow lot, which charges a fee per night.

All guestrooms feature complimentary wired and wireless Internet access. Rooms do not include DVD players, so plan to bring your own devices if this is something you want. The cable channel lineup is varied and does include several networks with children's programming.

As with any beachfront hotel, the primary activity for families at The Breakers Resort Inn is the beach. With access just across the boardwalk from the hotel, the beach here is very wide, so there is plenty of room for visitors to spread out. It can seem like a short hike when carrying beach gear, but in reality, it is just a few minutes from guestroom to water. However, the only restrooms are back at the hotel, so keep that in mind when selecting your spot for the day. For early risers, you can have pretty good luck finding some pretty seashells for souvenirs. If you're really lucky, you also may catch a glimpse of the dolphins as they swim along the shoreline.

At The Breakers Resort Inn, guests also can play in the hotel pool, which overlooks the boardwalk and the beach. It is a small, rectangle-shaped pool, ranging from 3 to 5 feet deep. The pool area is also small, so there are not very many chairs. It can be quite crowded if everyone heads to the pool at the same time. Although the pool can be heated, it does operate seasonally, so be sure to inquire if it will be available for use during the off-season.

A great bonus at The Breakers Resort Inn is the complimentary bikes available to guests from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. To borrow a bike, guests simply have to sign one out at the front desk. There are time limits, so be sure to verify when the bike is due back. Once you are ready, you can bike along Atlantic Avenue (in front of the hotel) to a variety of restaurants, stores and attractions. You can also explore the paved bike trails that run parallel to the boardwalk, where you can hear local musicians, grab a snack or check out special events.

The Boardwalk Café at The Breakers Resort Inn serves breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. For breakfast, there are several good choices for all family members, such as breakfast sandwiches, omelets and breakfast combos. The menu also includes several a la carte items. The lunch menu revolves around sandwiches, as well as three lunch basket options (fried shrimp, fried fish or chicken fingers, all served with French fries).

Prices for both breakfast and lunch are reasonable. Like other areas of the hotel, the restaurant is also on the small side, so it can be crowded during peak breakfast and lunch hours.

For additional dining options, the hotel is conveniently located to many restaurants serving a variety of cuisines for all budgets.

The Art of Smart Timing

Given its beachfront location, The Breakers Resort Inn is a popular destination during the summer, primarily between Memorial Day and Labor Day. However, the hotel does offer "Breakaway Bargain Days" during this peak season, so you could book a standard room for under $100 per night. The hotel posts a full calendar of "Breakaway Bargain Days" on its Web site; it also offers several themed packages.

Getting There

Servicing the Virginia Beach area, the Norfolk International Airport features daily flights from American, Delta, Southwest, United and US Airways. Although the hotel does not provide shuttle service, guests can arrange for shuttle service via Carey VIP Connection (866-567-7213). Taxi service is also available.

The primary route to reach the hotel for travelers arriving by car is via Interstate 264, xby way of Interstate 64.

For Mom and Dad

When you can sneak away for a few minutes of alone time, head to the boardwalk behind the hotel for an evening stroll. Share a gelato as you listen to a local band, or take a seat on one of the many benches and catch up with one another under a starlit night.