"This Fairfield Inn and Suites, which opened in Virginia Beach in 2004, is right smack on the beach. In general, the little things count at this Marriot economy chain: free parking, free Internet access, free refrigerator, free local calls, microwave, and a CD player along with the requisite big TV. The freedom from being nickel-and-dimed really takes a load off during a getaway.

The 110 studio suites work well for both business and families, with room for kids to run around or working guests to spread out on the desk. Naturally, the spot is well chosen for being right on the boardwalk. It's also less than a mile from the Virginia Beach Convention Center, and within driving distance of popular sites such as Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamburg, Virginia Air and Space Center, and Water Country USA.

The morning starts out well with a good (and complimentary) breakfast buffet that includes waffles and hard-boiled eggs, a great deal for families toting the kids. Despite the proximity to the ocean, the lodging offers its own indoor pool, as well as a hot tub and modest fitness center. Guests have enjoyed good hospitality from the staff. The maid service can run a little late, but the rooms often show the attention paid to cleanliness. "