Founders Inn Hotel

, Virginia Beach, United States
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Founders Inn Hotel

, Virginia Beach
4 star

Rooms: 240

5641 Indian River Road - Virginia Beach - Virginia - 23464 - United States Hotel Website | | 757 424 5511
207 Traveller

Reviews - Founders Inn Hotel

Historical Traveller Reviews of Founders Inn Hotel

Buyers Beware!

from A TripAdvisor Member
I was quite unhappy with my choice at the Founder's Inn. Although they have a nice reception area, the rooms are very small, decorated with wall paper inluding the ceiling. There is a one very small window. It feels more like a college dorm room than a hotel. The shock was when I went to get the so called continental breakfast. Unlike other hotels, you get your continental breakfast from a deli (called the Muffin Pan) where you're allowed to pick very few items: danish, muffin, cereal, juice, fresh fruit. Unfortunaley, for all 4 days that I stayed there, the Muffin Pan did not have danish, and when I requested to substitute it by something else, I was told Yes on the first day and NO on the second. The biggest surprsie came on my third day there, when I poured the cereal (packed in small individual box) in a bowl and added milk to it. As I was about to start eating, I discovered there were very tiny objects all over the milk. Upon closer examination, I found that they were tiny ants floating in the cereal. I showed it to several of my colleagues who were shocked at the sight. Upon complainining to the manager in charge of dining, I was told that the ants was not their faullt and they do not always stock danish , and if I wish, I can upgrade to the full breakfast (of course at a charge). He did not seem to care at all, no apology or any hint of customer service. It was very obvious that the Founders Inn does not care about getting additional business. Oh by the way, one of my colleagues, who went to the Muffin Pan for breakfast was told that the coffee was not ready although it was past the opening time. In addition to the tiny room and horrible breakfast experience, jogging around the pond is impractical at best: 90% of the trail around the pond is covered with gravel. I did not care for the receptionist pushing on me a bellhop. And finally, the area of I-64 and Indian River where the hotel is located is not that great. Did I ever say that that the hotel is on a campus of Regent's Univeristy? I would defintely not stay at the Founders Inn again!!!

Great experience

from A TripAdvisor Member
My room was positively plush. The bed was comfy, I had two wing chairs in the room, and a writing desk with internet connection. It was a treat to have not just an average hotel room. I am a woman and I was traveling alone--I felt safe there. The food was the best I have ever had at a conference-type event (and I have been to many). Just outstanding dinner banquet with multiple food choices! This is a great place for group events because there are corner meeting/hospitality rooms on each floor so you don't have to go to individual rooms for small meetings. I mention this because we could have used these extra rooms more if we had known about them in advance. The housekeeping staff was very attentive to me. I don't know when they made up the room because I was out during the daytime, but they did a good job. Overall an outstanding stay. Minor negative points: It can be a long way from the ballroom to your room--they are spread out in different buildings. I wouldn't stay here if my object was going to the beach, its like 14 miles from the beach.

A wonderful place to stay

from A TripAdvisor Member
The Founders Inn is one of the finest places to stay in the Hampton Roads area.

I have utilized their wonderful Swan Terrace Restaurant for my daughters celebration when she graduated from Graduate school (ODU).

I have stayed at the Inn on several occassions (the longest being ten days) and I have nothing but high priase for the cleanliness, service, and excellent staff.

Founders Inn has everything you need for a stay away from home or just a getaway for a day.

Southern Charm

from A TripAdvisor Member
From arrival to departure we were treated with true Southern Grace. The bell captain, front desk folks, gift shop, security personnel, health center, and restaurant personnel provided excellent service. Yes, the housekeeping folks have their hands full with such a large facility but the grounds are breathtaking and provide a wonderful place to walk while the rooms are being cleaned. We are South Carolinians who have just returned from a week there. Southern Hospitality is a part of our upbringing. Gracious people will appreciate this location.

Stayed Here Three Times

from ScheckTrek
We've stayed at this property three times in four years, always in conjunction with a convention. It's beautiful! I would even say that the common areas are beyond beautiful. Large crystal chandeliers, oil paintings, antiques and high-quality reproductions, Oriental rugs, fireplaces, etc. -- but still light and spacious looking, not dark and heavy.

Each time we stayed we had a fireplace room in one of the annex buildings. The f/p rooms are corner units decorated in colonial style and are very spacious, with a king-size bed and plenty of room for a roll-away for our daughter. The bathroom size is just adequate, but the room has the advantage of having a second sink and mirror within the room itself.

Because we were there with many friends and acquaintances, we got to see a few of the other rooms. I wasn't personally impressed with the looks of the standard suite I saw; however, the Governor's and Presidential Suites were fabulous! Elizabeth Dole had left the latter just before our arrival. One couple we know was in a small, almost attic-looking room on the top floor of the main building. What it lacked in space, it made up for in charm and had a great view overlooking the rear of the property (the scenic side). The other rooms we happened to see in the main building were very traditional looking. I think some of the rooms, other than the "attic" one, could use more natural light, but they were very nice otherwise.

We usually ate breakfast in The Swan Terrace, which I think was a bit overpriced and the service wasn't always as gracious as we might have preferred. However, there is a Waffle House and an International House of Pancakes basically across the street. There's also, within the hotel, a smaller eatery where you can get decent coffee, bakery items, fruit, salads, sandwiches and sodas.

All in all, it was a lot of value for the money spent at a 4-star establishment. I could almost give it a 5; I suppose the reason I'm not is that I would prefer the bedrooms to be a bit lighter.

OK

from ctkathy
July, 2004: A five night stay

The biggest problem that I have with this hotel is the housekeeping. They seemingly cannot seem to clean a room before 3 p.m. and often later. I registered my complaint with the head of housekeeping the first time it occurred, but it really did not help at all. In fact, it seemed as if they purposely made up our room last! FYI, I do tip at least $2 per day for our room maid. Other than that this hotel seems ok, but I wouldn't stay there again.

Good and Bad at Founders Inn

from JohnBournemouth2
The Inn is on a large campus site just off I664 and is self contained with facilities. Just as well as there is little in the immediate area - have to go into Norfolk or Virginia Beach for decent restaurants. Quite good rooms and at a $75 Priceline rate quite reasonable. New Hunt Room offers reasonable Sports Bar. But, no housekeeping one day and currently trying to recover unauthorised debit on credit card for room charge already prepaid to Priceline....

i was tricked!

from A TripAdvisor Member
the websites and brochures make this place out to be great but when i got there it was awful.. rooms were tiny and had no ammenities.. nice staff but crummy room.. not worth the money i spent at all and sooo far away from the beach.. very inconvenient!

Passing through Virginia Beach, A great find!

from A TripAdvisor Member
A great find. On a recent trip to Kittyhawk, NC we spent the night in this terrific Virginia Beach Hotel. Not only did we find the accommodations Charming and comfortable. The Food in the Swan Terrace restaurant and the overall service we experience was a clear indication of true southern hospitality. We will stop again when we return to southeastern Virginia and will highly recommend to anyone.

Wonderful!

from A TripAdvisor Member
I have stayed at Founder's Inn on three separate occasions and have enjoyed myself immensely on each visit. Ken in Sales Dept was most gracious in helping my group set up a Women's Retreat that was rated "Exceptional" by all who attended. My husband and I returned for our anniversary and stayed in an End suite, absolutely fabulous. The interior decorating is first class. We used the facilites and had a wonderful massage at the fitness center. Food is superb! We will go again.

Top Local Tips for Virginia Beach

Explore the area... If you want to enjoy VA BEACH away from all the tourists, head away from the boardwalk. You'll find where the locals live & the best places to eat in the area. Definitely look for the Pembroke Mall area or even venture out to Portsmouth. You won't be disappointed !!!

Bad hotel experience Don't stay at the Founders Inn-terrible experience

You have to visit the Boardwalk! Even if you do not stay on the ocean front, you can visit the fabulous beach front boardwalk which has restaurants, live music, carnivals, and festivals and spend just about the whole day there. There festivals just about every weekend and live music throughout the year.

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Other names for Founders Inn Hotel

  • the founders hotel
  • founders hotel virginia beach
  • Address: 5641 Indian River Road - Virginia Beach - Virginia - 23464 - United States
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