The Colony

The Colony is a rare timeshare resort that permits owners to bring one small pet, and it is the timeshare resort in Virginia Beach with the largest units. They are about 1,200 sf. There are four on each of the 11 floors, numbered from the left 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, etc. up to 1001, 1002, 1003 and 1004 (as you face the beach from the unit.) The 11th floor is "Penthouse units," numbered PH01, PH02, PH03 and PH04. All units are oceanfront and look out on the ocean through huge windows, and the units on the 8th through Penthouse floors are high enough to look over the neighboring building on the north to give those units a 180 degree view of the ocean. Lower units have 90 to 120 degree views of the ocean.

All units (including penthouses) are approximately the same size, but the end units (01 and 04) have the living room and master bedroom on the front facing the ocean, and the middle units (02 and 04) have the living room and two bedrooms facing the ocean. The end units have one extra window in the master bedroom facing the ocean, and two windows in the kitchen and hallway looking inland, so that the end units feel more open. The ocean windows are huge, 9 foot sliding glass doors in the living rooms, and 8 foot by 5 foot windows in the master bedroom (with an extra 2 foot by 5 foot window alongside the main window in the end units). Since the windows come down close to the floor in the bedroom and to the floor in the living room, the views are great. There is a 6 foot by 12 foot balcony in front of the living rooms, with narrow ballisters so you can see the ocean easily from the living room through the railing.

The kitchens are very well equiped, though the refrigerator in our 801 unit is showing some age. The microwave, stove and dishwasher appear new, as do smaller appliances--toaster, coffee maker, blender and trash compacter. There is a stacked washer-dryer also in the kitchen. The bathrooms have all been renovated with granite counter tops and are attractive. The living room furniture is in the process of being replaced, with new sectional couches. The beds will be replaced with platform beds in the next year and the work has already started.

There are two new elevators in beautiful condition and new roofing has apparently eliminated a problem of over-heating from the sun in the penthouses. The lobby is very small but tidy. There are new security cameras many places to keep the residents safe, and a security guard is on duty all night in the lobby. The pretty outdoor pool is on a deck between the building and the ocean, with lots of chaise longues on the deck with a view to the sea. The deep sandy beach in front is one of the best on that Atlantic Ocean. All in all, the building, units and furnishings are in good repair now, or all will be completely before the end of 2009. The location is outstanding.

The building was originally built to be condominiums and turned into timeshares early in its history, which explains the size and comfort of the units. There is a sauna on the same floor as the pool, but no other amenities. There is one numbered parking space for each unit under and in front of the building which faces on Atlantic Ave. There are many nearby restaurants and other tourist businesses. All units look over the boardwalk to the ocean. In December there are cars driving by on the narrow road between the oceanfront buildings and the boardwalk, as carloads of people ogle the spectacular Christmas lights that have been built for many blocks facing the sea. It costs $10 per car to drive through the lights, but residents at the timeshare can see some of the lights from the units.

The Colony is a great place to stay while in Virginia Beach, quiet in the fall, winter and spring. It's filled in the high season, summer, and may not be as quiet then although the management encourages those staying there to respect the quiet for their neighbors. It's unique in Virginia Beach, a great value. Lots of units can be purchased or traded into through RCI easily.

We have stayed there twice, in 1996 and again in 2008 just after we purchased a unit on the 8th floor. Resale prices are a little higher for the penthouses, but there's little difference between them and the rest of the units, at least on floors 8, 9 and 10. The office is on the second floor, which also has three timeshare units, 201, 202 and 204 that have direct level access through their hallway to the swimming pool deck. They would be good for handicap access.

this place is great. designed as a time share facility, not a converted hotel, there is lots of room, great floor plan, and all the amenaties you would expect from a 1st class resort

The week of the 4th (July) was our first stay in our recently purchased unit at The Colony. My entire family was very pleased with The Colony. It is spacious with lots of closets and drawer space, very clean, secure and beautiful. We cannot say enough good things about the entire week. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Beautiful pool area, kitchen emaculate. Perfect!

This resort was recently renovated on the outside ,They are still working n the inside but we did see one of the units that was suppose to be done unit number 202 and we were not very impressed with the remodel it seemed that they kept alot of the old things and didnt really paint just replaced a few lights,border, and rugs, but still had the old appliances. other then that this resort is one of the better ones that we seen the rooms are all 2 bedrooms and are about 1200 square feet nice size parking wasnt bad either . and all units have balonys good choice if with family.. any questions email we are thinking about buying here ourselves

This is a terrific property next to the boardwalk. It has just been totally renovated so is in excellent condition.