The family-owned hotel is housed in a nondescript six-floor building and has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Its nautical-themed public spaces get generous natural light, though they're a touch dated. Guests spend most of their time outdoors anyway, at the beach swimming and playing water sports, or visiting area attractions. Although it offers fewer kid-centric activities than some other area hotels, most guests are families with children looking for a beachfront location and more affordable rates than similar properties on the Atlantic Avenue strip. 

The Oceanfront Inn overlooks the ocean on a relatively uncrowded stretch of the Atlantic Avenue strip in Virginia Beach. The hotel has direct access to the beach and boardwalk, Neptune’s Park is next door, and the famous King Neptune Statue is a three-minute walk. The Atlantic & 29th bus stop is across the street from the property, and numerous restaurants, bars, and shops are a short walk. Virginia Beach Amusement Park is a little more than five minutes by car or about a 10-minute bus ride, while the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art and the Virginia Beach Convention Center are both just over a five-minute drive or 20 minutes by bus. Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium, and Ocean Breeze Waterpark can be reached in 10 minutes by car or 20 minutes by bus. Norfolk International Airport is roughly a 20-minute drive away. 

Guest rooms at The Oceanfront are spacious, bright, and have some visual appeal, with ocean-theme art, wooden furniture, and a warm color palette dominated by a range of brown hues and navy blue. Overall, the look is plain and slightly dated, but units are comfortable and generally clean and in good condition. All feature balconies with chairs and ocean views, and they come well-equipped with single-serve coffeemakers, mini-fridges, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Upgraded rooms add desks and side chairs. Bathrooms are more contemporary and have wide granite vanities and showers/tub combos, plus hairdryers and toiletries. 

The Oceanfront Inn has direct beach access, and for swimming in colder months there's a heated indoor pool open year-round that's about 15 meters at its longest point. Another highlight is the on-site restaurant, which features ocean views and serves breakfast (for a fee unless booking breakfast meal plan) with a wide menu of hot and cold items. Seafood and steaks are highlights of lunch (served seasonally) and dinner menus, and food gets mostly good reviews for quality. Outdoor dining on the boardwalk is available in warmer weather.

There's no fitness center on-site, but guests receive free passes to a nearby YMCA, with a 25-yard indoor pool, sauna, full-court gym, outdoor sports field, fitness center, and cycling studio. A meeting room with catering, 24-hour front desk, gift shop, lobby computer, free parking for one vehicle per room, and free Wi-Fi throughout round out the hotel's on-site features.