Downtown Portsmouth, Virginia, clusters around the Elizabeth River waterfront and the brick-lined streets of the Olde Towne Historic District. Here, a stay at hotels like the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel places you directly on the riverfront, with panoramic views of the water and a 3-minute walk to the Norfolk ferry. Meanwhile, a few blocks inland, the Quality Inn & Suites Olde Town (a Super 8 by Wyndham property) sits amidst the antique shops and museums of Olde Towne, offering easy access to the Commodore Theatre and the Naval Medical Center.
Budget dictates which of the three central hotels you choose. The Renaissance is a full-service, luxury-adjacent hotel with a restaurant (Foggy Point Bar & Grill), an indoor pool, and business facilities-rates reflect that premium. Conversely, the Quality Inn & Suites Olde Town offers a more economical stay, bundled with a free hot breakfast (waffles included), a seasonal outdoor pool, and full kitchens in some suites, making it a practical pick for families or longer stays. Both properties offer free Wi-Fi and parking, and both are within a 25-minute drive of Virginia Beach, though only the Quality Inn offers a seasonal outdoor pool.