photo: David Kay
Back in April while my two teen kids were enjoying their spring break from school, my wife Sue and I researched destinations for an August family vacation.
The four benchmarks that we used in the vetting process were:
It had to be a beautiful beach site with lots of charm.
It had to be within a reasonable driving distance from our HQ in northern New Jersey.
It had to offer land and water activities that allowed for exploration of the area.
Commercial mayhem needed to be minimal: we wanted no theme parks, casinos, or heavy nightlife activity in proximity to where we’d be staying.
Searching locales in the mid-Atlantic region, we discovered Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Travelers who are in the know about Chincoteague are fans of its rich and interesting history (including the story of its famous ponies), lush natural location and recreation options, and friendly, laid back pace - all of which sounded right up our alley.
As we reviewed the accommodations in Chincoteague, we were on the lookout for a hotel that offered suites, which have larger rooms than conventional hotels/inns/B&B’s (with two teen offspring, we definitely need that extra real estate). Our three choices (all located on Main Street, which runs the entire seven-mile length of the island) were the Hampton Inn & Suites, The Comfort Suites, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites, by Marriott, Chincoteague Island.
Scrolling through the photos on its site, the Hampton Inn & Suites Chincoteague-Waterfront seemed very nice. The rooms were fine and the interiors were OK, but there was an overall nondescript vibe to the hotel: it could have been located anywhere, and there didn’t seem to be anything “Chincoteague” or “beach” about it.
The images on Chincoteague Island Comfort Suites Hotel’s site were also pleasant, but the property’s design was somewhat bland and not really stylish or contemporary. Plus, as with the Hampton Inn, the anonymity and non-Chincoteagueness (or would it be Chincotude?) of its atmosphere was kinda meh.
The pics of The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, on the other hand, truly popped: they evoked a lively energy and beachy appeal that the other suite hotels were missing. But the Fairfield Inn didn’t just photograph well, it has also generated scads of wowed reviews:
4.4 out of 5 - Google
4.5 - Expedia
4.5 - TripAdvisor
9.3 out of 10 - Booking.com
4.6 - Hotels.com
4.5 - Orbitz
Impressed by its vivid beauty shots and overwhelmingly positive guest ratings, we set out to set up a stay at Fairfield Inn & Suites, by Marriott, Chincoteague Island during the first week of August.
The journey to Chincoteague from New Jersey was only 4½ hours, and the route was simple and direct, so we weren’t exhausted when we arrived. Location-wise, it’s only 16 minutes from Wallops Island, and 9 minutes to the NASA Flight Facility Visitors Center.
The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Chincoteague Island opened in July 2013 and is the newest hotel on the island. Located on the gorgeous Chincoteague Bay, it has 92 guest rooms, including standard king and double queen bedded rooms as well as king and queen suites. The hotel offers a number of free perks to its guests, such as...
Daily hot breakfast buffet (6 to 10am)
Wi-Fi throughout the hotel (measured at an impressive 2.9 Mbps)
Outdoor heated pool
Indoor fitness facility (it’s small, but our Crossfit-loving daughter got a complete workout in the room and was thrilled with its equipment, TVs, a/c, complimentary towels, and water cooler)
Bold Beginnings coffee, which is hot and ready 24/7 (more on this hugely crucial percolating perk below)
The Lobby
The lobby’s large and colorful breakfast area looks out on Chincoteague Bay, and was a great spot to begin the day. The morning buffet included eggs (scrambled and hard boiled), breakfast meats, biscuits with sausage gravy, fresh fruits, a selection of yogurts, waffles, oatmeal with a choice of toppings (walnuts, brown sugar, raisins), bagels/breads/muffins, and juices.
Also available in the lobby were two beverage stations, which along with caf and decaf coffee, offered hot water, a variety of teas, and a dispenser of cold water.
While excited at first about having access to free coffee throughout the day, Sue was also wary: she had experienced free servings of weak, old, or just plain nasty hotel coffee in the past, and - because she needs a potent java fix to get her rolling in the morning and mid-afternoon - was forced to leave the premises in search of an acceptable infusion.
Such excursions weren’t necessary at the Fairfield Inn & Suites thanks to the fact that the hotel served a proprietary blend called Bold Beginnings. Sue found Bold Beginnings to be fresh and tasty. This made her quite pleased during our entire stay - and apparently, she wasn’t the only guest at Fairfield Inn to enjoy the coffee.
In the late afternoon, the lobby was superb for claiming some private time. Its comfortable seating areas and soft lighting made reading, chilling, or smart phone tapping a delight.
Our Rooms
Immaculate, airy, and bright, our rooms were ideal for unwinding and achieving quiet, indulgent sleeps.
Unexpected surprises that the rooms delivered:
the spacious desk setup was perfect for getting things done (yup, I had to take care of some biz during our vacay)
our son loved our outdoor mini deck for reading, listening to his tunes and catching rays
the in-room iron and ironing board allowed us to quickly even out some creased clothing
the in-room fridge helped us turn savory leftovers into quick snacks
the rooms were impervious to outside noise: even with occasional activity outside, in the halls, and next door, this hubbub didn’t invade our space or ears
the easy-to-configure thermostat allowed for cool and consistent comfort
The Pool Deck and Patio
This special place, which spotlights a long, panoramic view of Chincoteague Bay, gave us a lovely way to greet the A.M. sun and cool out in the evenings.
Refreshing ocean breezes; the sounds of seagulls, passing fishing boats, and laid back tropical music (more on that here); and blankets of warm sunshine were unexpected bonuses that made our stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites even more memorable and relaxing.
What Sets The Hotel Apart
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Chincoteague Island has a number of attributes that distinguish it from the competition:
It’s the first and only hotel on Chincoteague Island that presents waterfront dining, at the Jackspot, which is located on the property right next door (get all the details of our fantabulous Jackspot dinner).
Along with being an outstanding and fun restaurant with exceptional service, the Jackspot also boasts an outdoor tiki bar and second floor Narrows Ballroom that provides glorious 180 degree views of Chincoteague Bay. The ballroom can accommodate 120 people for events/weddings and 130 people for business meetings/retreats, and also hosts free weekly yoga classes for hotel guests.
We were all blown away by the ultra high level of attentive customer service that was provided by every hotel staff member with whom we interacted. Having experienced this service throughout each day of our stay, it’s not a surprise that the hotel was awarded Marriott’s 2014 National Gold Award for Outstanding Guest Service as well as the company’s 2015 National Platinum Award for Outstanding Guest Service - both based on guest ratings/feedback.
Parents with youngsters will appreciate the hotel’s free and exclusive kid-friendly seasonal activities, such as Swim with the Mermaids, Face Painting with Tootsie the Clown, and Family Movie Night.
Execs who stay at the hotel during the fall will have access to a free weekly guest reception, featuring homemade soups, appetizers, smoked meats, pizzas, desserts, dips, and chips. Also on the autumn schedule are free hot dogs and snacks during Sunday football games, which are aired on the big screen TV in the breakfast area.
Once you’ve unpacked and settled in, it’s impossible to not embrace the relaxed pace, natural beauty, and historic charm of Chincoteague Island. The award-winning customer service, superbly executed features, and impeccable accommodations of Fairfield Inn & Suites are guaranteed to enhance your getaway - and we’ll absolutely, positively be returning to enjoy them again.
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