A Sandy White Winter Beach Vacation Tops Travelers Wish List in Outer Banks

In the past beach vacations typically took place in the summertime, when rates were as high as the number of cars backed up on the steamy highway. But with all the exciting special events being scheduled in the wintertime, and the deep discount deal being offered at hotels, the new trend is to head for the winter white sandy beaches of Virginia and North Carolina's Outer Banks.

“The beach used to close in the winter, but now we have a lot of people coming down for short periods of time from 3-days to 12-days on vacation,” said Anne-Meade Simpson, residential sales/resort property management, William E. Wood & Associates Realtors. “People often rent large beach houses, during the holiday season, where they can be together as a family.”

According to Simpson, a beach house that rents for $3,500 a week in the summertime can rent in the $1,500 range in during the winter months.

“The beach is one place people can gather in a vacation city where you can enjoy your family and the outdoors without having to drive very far.”

The Hampton Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront North

The Hampton Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront North has a twenty-six foot cast bronze statue of Neptune as its next-door neighbor. In the off-season he welcomes “value-minded” visitors to “Beach City.”

“The Hampton Inn underwent a $4 million complete renovation in 2008, so it’s essentially a new, more upscale hotel,” said Daniel Schaffner, general manager, Hampton Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront North.

The hotel, which has been a family business for over 50 years, has a Getaway Package that runs through Jan. 3. It includes a two-night stay, a 4-course dinner-for-two at the award-winning Timbuktu Restaurant, all taxes and one vehicle admission to “Holiday Lights at the Beach” for $265.

While all the rooms are oceanfront, the King Jacuzzi Suite is also perfect for a romantic mini-vacation. In the summer the room rate is $299, but it’s $169 (a 43 percent savings) in the winter. As with all Hampton Inn guests, a bountiful hot breakfast is included.

“Winter is definitely the time to come if you enjoy more serene surroundings,” said Schaffner. “Others come here to celebrate their anniversary or to enjoy the holiday festivities.”

The Inn at Corolla Light – North Carolina Outer Banks

Corolla is one quaint beach community in North Carolina where people come to see the wild horses and climb the majestic lighthouse. The Inn at Corolla Light is its crowning jewel in terms of luxury accommodations. It, too, offers value for the dollar.

The Inn at Corolla Light is one of Corolla, North Carolina’s most romantic waterfront getaways. It has an elegant gazebo at the end of a 400-foot pier, which extends into the Currituck Sound. At day’s end it becomes a cozy cove, where you can drink a cup of hot cocoa, breathe-in the cool, fresh air and become bathed in the soothing colors of the setting sun.

The charming inn has soundfront rooms and suits that are ideal for a winter fling, as they feature gas fireplaces, private whirlpools and the plushest of King-sized pillow-top beds. There are also six well-appointed “pet friendly” rooms at the resort, so the four-legged love of your life can also enjoy wintertime at North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

Guests can also get their adrenalin pumping at nearby Corolla Light Resort Village, where they have full access to all amenities. Included is an indoor sports center with Olympic-sized pool, indoor clay tennis courts and a first-rate workout room.

The Inn offers two “Romantic Weekend” packages through Dec. 31. Their

2-night package starts at $395 and includes special discounts on “his and her” spa services. Check their website for more exciting details!

Wild Horse Attractions – Corolla

One of the top reasons people come to Corolla is to see Colonial Spanish Mustangs roaming free and wild on 12,000 acres of off-road northern beaches. Some memberships, in the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, let you spend up to a day in the field with the official manager of the wild horse herd.

Corolla Wild Horse Museum/Corolla Wild Horse Fund

Corollawildhorses.com

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education

Ncwildlife.org

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

Currituckbeachlight.com

Back Country Outfitters & Guides

Segway Tours of Historic Corolla/Wild Horse Jeep Tour

Segs-OnTheBeach.com

New Winter Attraction in Virginia Beach

Add a little magic to winter, by ice skating at Neptune’s Park at 31^st Street and Atlantic Avenue. Open through Feb. 15. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children under 12. Skate rental is $2.

Two New Dining Delights

Warm the cockles of your culinary heart this winter in Virginia Beach.

North African and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine await you at the award-winning Timbuktu Restaurant at Virginia Beach Hampton Inn Oceanfront North. Braised Lamb Tajine and succulent Roasted Duck Breast are among their signature dishes and cooked to perfection by Executive Chef Ashton Janke.

Tel: (757) 491-1800; timbuktuvb.com

El Taco Loco is Virginia Beach’s hottest, new Mexican restaurant. “El Churrasco ‘Big ol’ Steak,’” a South American specialty of the house, is topped with Argentinian chimichurri sauce. Dine-in on Wednesdays and your kids (12 and under) eat for $1.00 each. Freshly-made tacos are .99-cents each on Tuesdays only. Tel: (757) 428-7631; eltacolocova.com

When You Go

Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

(757) 385-6626

Vbfun.com

Currituck Outer Banks, NC

(252) 435-2947

ComeToOurBeach.com

Hampton Inn Virginia Beach-Oceanfront North

(800) 292-3297

Hamptoninnvirginiabeachoceanfront.com

The Inn at Corolla Light

(800) 215-0772