After a hideously hot summer, autumn seems to be mercifully making an early return. Temp eratures are falling into the 50s at night and topping off in the 70s during the day.
I know some people who lament the end of summer but I am not one of those people. I am ready for sustained periods of cool weather and relying on the warmth of my sweaters and jackets. Already I see just a slight change in the color of the trees as I make my way home after work on U.S. 60. The leaves from our silver maples have been tumbling down for over a week and are made into mulch on mowing days.
Roma and I have been going to Virginia Beach in September for many years now. The hotel rates are much cheaper, the beach is less crowded and the weather is more favorable in the first of the -ber months. When we were looking for an affordable hotel with oceanfront rooms a few summers ago, we happened upon The Schooner Inn. Once we stayed there, we never wanted to stay anywhere else.
Located at the south end of the beach on Atlantic Avenue near Rudee Inlet, The Schooner Inn is one of the last oceanfront hotels that isn’t part of a chain. Unlike many hotels in Virginia Beach’s shore, it is not a luxury high rise. The six-story Schooner Inn painted in white with blue trim is a no-frills hotel that has the basic accommodations of free cable, microwaves and mini fridges. Some of the rooms do have heart-shaped hot tubs and some have stovetops.
What I like most about the hotel is how quiet it is at night. Families are drawn to The Schooner Inn because it is budget friendly so the guests tend to go to bed early. I am a night owl and I enjoy the solitary hours spent out on my private balcony just listening to the waves and watching the moon drizzle its milky shadow on the jet black ocean.
The hotel is also in close proximity to one of our favorite restaurants at Virginia Beach, Waterman’s Surfside Grille. It is known primarily for its delicious she-crab soup and its coolly refreshing orange crushes, a concoction of vodka, triple sec, freshsqueezed orange juice, a splash of lemon-lime soda or club soda and lots of crushed ice. The crushes come in several different citrusy flavors, but the orange is the most popular. You have to be very careful when consuming them. The alcohols are well disguised by the citrus and though they may taste like snow cones, they are still cocktails and two or three of them might land you on your rear.
Our favorite breakfast place is just a few doors down. The Sunnyside Cafe serves up bountiful platters of morning favorites. The pancakes are huge, the bacon is crispy and the sausage links are pork perfection.
A few years ago, we were at the beach when a hurricane struck the coast. We typically pack just snacks and bottled water for our beach trips and rely on restaurants for our meals so when the power went out, we were looking at a lunch of Cheezits and plain mini bagels. Roma made her way inland to a Harris Teeter where they did have power and bought groceries. I remember sitting in the darkened room eating simple tuna salad sandwiches as the fierce winds pounded against the balcony door. We have since learned to pack more provisions in the event of an emergency.
Roma and I stayed at The Schooner Inn in September 2023. We skipped the beach trip last year in favor of a Jeff Lynne concert in Washington, D.C. That was a bucket list concert for me and I was willing to forgo the annual Virginia Beach jaunt in its stead. The beach trip was back on for this year and we booked an efficiency at The Schooner Inn for September.
A few months ago I learned that The Schooner Inn is for sale.
The owners of The Schooner Inn are listing the place for an astronomical price. The space next to it is being developed into a massive park area with biking and hiking trails.
I hate to think that it’s going to become just another high rise hotel bought up by Hilton or Marriott.
But at least we’ll have one last chance to stay at a familiar place at Virginia Beach.
And say goodbye.
