The Historic Cavalier Hotel And Beach Club
"Restored 1927 Historic Hotels of America landmark on 42nd Street with pools, Tarnished Truth Distillery and Beach Club access."
About The Hotel
The Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club is a restored 1927 landmark on Atlantic Avenue at 42nd Street on the quiet north end of the Virginia Beach boardwalk. A Historic Hotels of America property, the Cavalier reopened after a top-to-bottom restoration with multiple pools, the Tarnished Truth Distillery on site, Beach Club access across the boardwalk, and near-perfect cleanliness (4.8) and room (4.8) scores. It is Virginia Beach’s marquee splurge stay — a historic luxury hotel rather than an in-room-jacuzzi property, with pools, spa treatments and the Beach Club standing in for private soaks. Guests consistently praise the historic character, the distillery experience and the beach-club logistics, with occasional caveats about premium rates and pest-report reviews to check before booking. The Cavalier is best for travelers who want a splurge stay with a historic story rather than a modern boardwalk tower.
What Guests Are Saying
“My wife and I spent last evening on the lawn of The Cavalier, sipping champagne under that golden sunset. We started wondering aloud—were these two hotels always blocking the view? That’s when a gentleman in an impeccably tailored suit strolled by. (Seriously, the fit was GQ-level—my wife couldn’t stop noticing how sharp it looked, maybe I should start hitting the gym) as he walked by and greeted us I half-joking, and asked if he knew the backstory. Turns out he’s Dean, and he didn’t just answer, he launched into this passionate, effortless history lesson. Built in 1927, the Cavalier was saved from demolition by a local guy who’d grown up in Virginia Beach. He poured his own money in, rallied investors, even got state help to gut and rebuild it from the inside out—keeping every original charm while making it shine again. Dean described the Navy taking it over in the thirties and forties, turning it into a radioman and officer school during WWII, stables turned barracks and all. He told it like he lived it, zero notes, pure fire. We were hooked. Then another couple plopped down, asked him to repeat it, and he did, same energy, no shortcuts. It wasn’t just facts. it was pride, like the place was family. We’ve stayed here before, but this random chat? Made it unforgettable. The view’s gorgeous, the bubbly’s perfect, but that Fire side chat turned a quiet night into something we’d tell friends about.” — John K., 5 stars
“I can’t say enough good things about Kiara at the front desk. From the moment we arrived, she went above and beyond to make sure our stay was special. She helped me countless times, even when I made mistakes with my room arrangements, and she handled everything with incredible patience, kindness, and professionalism. She not only helped fix things in the moment, but also took the time to explain everything so I wouldn’t make the same mistakes next time. Her willingness to help and make sure we had the best experience truly stood out. She even helped make our stay extra special with an upgrade, which meant a lot as we were celebrating my wife’s birthday. Kiara genuinely helped make this trip memorable. She didn’t just do her job, she made us feel welcomed and taken care of. People like Kiara are what make a hotel experience exceptional. She is a huge asset to the team, and we are grateful for everything she did to make our visit so special.” — Paul L., 5 stars
“I have to take a few minutes and tell everyone one how wonderful this hotel and the staff is. I needed some R & R. From the room to the perfect Spa treatment. I could not have gotten anything better. From the moment I checked in with Nerisa at the front deck to my going home it could not have been any better. Nerisa understand what would help make my time there perfect. I will be back.” — Gail L., 5 stars
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Restored 1927 Historic Hotels of America landmark — the marquee stay in Virginia Beach
- Near-perfect cleanliness (4.8) and room (4.8) scores across 661 reviews
- Multiple pools, on-site Tarnished Truth Distillery and dining
- Beach Club access across the boardwalk on 42nd Street
- Quiet north-end location away from the busy central boardwalk
Cons:
- A historic luxury hotel rather than an in-room-jacuzzi property — spa/pools substitute for private soaks
- Splurge tier with premium rates and parking
- Occasional pest-report review — read recent reports before booking
The Location
4200 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 — On Atlantic Avenue at 42nd Street on the quiet north end of the Virginia Beach boardwalk. Norfolk International Airport is about 25 minutes west; the Beach Club is directly across the boardwalk. You can find more details or book your stay on TripAdvisor.
Virginia Beach,
Virginia Beach.
Guest reviews
What guests are saying about The Historic Cavalier Hotel And Beach Club.
"The experience staying at the Cavalier far exceeded expectations. Our family has a lot of holiday traditions to get into the spirit of the season, but our stay at the Cavalier has now risen to the top of that list. The room and bathroom were gorgeous and felt very comfortable and cozy. We got better sleep in the room than we do at home! The customer service from top to bottom was better than I've experienced at any hotel. Everyone is kind, positive and went out of their way to anticipate our needs. We felt like we were truly valued as guests. The resort amenities were also beyond what we imagined. There was turndown service, afternoon tea, photos with Santa, s'mores byt the fire, a carriage ride and so much more we didn't even have the time to fit in. Most importantly though, the staff at the Cavalier spend a lot of time and care turning the hotel into what can only be described as a winter wonderland. The lights, the decorations and the winter-themed treats were all the perfect setting to get into the holiday spirit. Thank you to the Cavalier for such an amazing December trip. Special shout out to Carlo who was so kind and helpful welcoming us to our room, Robert for being such a great Bourbon host and Lars for showing us a new standard for hospitality!"
— Matt Dutcher
View on Google"Looking for a place to have a Christmas Celebration Weekend with my BFF of 60+ years, we found the Cavalier, which was midway between both of our homes. From the moment that I laid eyes on the spectacular beautifully decorated property on the hill, my mind started collecting one lovely image and experience after another. The front desk staff of Jessita and Jaliese offered information about dining choices as well as events for the weekend while offering a glass of sparkling wine to kick off our celebration. Their smiles and demeanor were warm and sincere and made us feel like we were cherished old friends. While taking in one gorgeous fresh floral installation after another, we were escorted to our room by Carlo, who offered an efficient dismantling of our very full cart while pointing out all of the details of our very well appointed room. His courtesy and care made us feel like the most important guests that he was serving while he constantly flashed his million dollar smile. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast both mornings and were extremely well cared for by Beth on the second morning. Her attention to detail nearly made us forget how many guests she was servicing at the same time. I could write a novel about the Cavalier and all the beauty and experiences. One that I cannot fail to mention is meeting the most beautiful and kindest Santa and receiving a free photo to remember our amazing Christmas adventure at the Cavalier. We live six hours away but I immediately told my husband, children and grandchildren that this is a place that we need to visit together. I can’t wait to go back!"
— Sheila Bertoni
View on Google"I absolutely loved my staycation at the Cavalier Resort! The staff were incredible—so kind, helpful, and attentive throughout our stay. From the historic tour and horse-drawn carriage ride to wine and paint and so many other activities, we felt both relaxed and entertained with plenty to do. The pool and lounging areas were fantastic, and I especially loved the little touches and experiences that made our stay truly unique. My partner and I had an amazing time, and we will definitely be back!"
— kyla flannery
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